Laird Barrony sort of thing that was pretty good. Nice, as in thoughtful, poignant, and somewhat enigmatic, ending. Not sure what the word count criteria for a novella is but I finished this in like 30 minutes and it seemed more like a short story. Good nonetheless, but I did pay $2.99 for what probably should have been less than $2. I'm just such a cheap bastard. Cool cover too. ( )

The only other work that I have read by this author is Cushings' "The Truth, as Told by a Bottle of Liquid Morphine" which was a painfully realistic story about flawed yet completely believable characters. I really enjoyed that story and was surprised at how different this novella was.

This novel is an exploration of the concept of torture as art. I found it to be a sort of concept piece, an allegory of sorts, rather than a true story. The characters are not flesh and blood and seemed representative of concepts or philosophical positions. Two competing artists, one a sadist, one a nihilist, a wealthy "audience member"---representing us, and a practical workman just doing his job and not thinking about the moral ramifications of anything he does. An experimental and literary work to be sure. Although I was not really captivated by the story line, and maybe I wasn't supposed to be. I did find myself contemplating, and being disturbed by, the overall concept long after I finished the book. I still am, actually.

Torture as art. A repulsive concept. But isn't that the whole idea behind some movies, art and literature? Some horror movies and books qualify. I remember looking at Renaissance paintings of the death of Saint Sebastian, tied to a tree and pierced by arrows, the wounds cruel and realistic, his pain evident on his face.

Why are we attracted to art showing the suffering of others as entertainment. Clearly in this book, the torture that the artists are creating for their viewers is real, whereas in books, art and movies it is merely representative, but conceptually it is still disturbing even if more ethically defensible.

What is the source of this tendency in human nature and why is the suffering of others so appealing in art? ( )

When this arrived in my email from the Darkfuse Kindle Club, I was excited because I loved the cover. Then I thought I would just crack it open and read the first few sentences. Yeah, right-an hour or so later, I was done!

This was a dark tale set in Nowhere, Indiana. A rich, twisted man (Mr. McPherson)is looking for something new in the world of art. Mr. Krieg is just the man to deliver it. He has been working for years on a new LIVE exhibit. Mr. Krieg's assistant is a nihilist named No One. Together he and Mr. Krieg will create this new exhibit with Mr. McPherson as the very excited audience of one. After all, there is no art without an audience, right?

Together all three men descend into the labyrinth, which is where I leave off from the plot description. You will have to read it to find out what this exhibit was and if it was successful. :)

I will say that this was a dark fiction story, with a science fiction slant. It was unique and extremely well written. The characters were so well defined that I had no problem picturing them in my mind. This is also a story about humanity, and what some of us could become. Is it possible that our desire to be entertained could eventually evolve into something dark and twisted? Or has it already ?

Read this novella and see what your conclusions are! ( )