Kirjahaku

What if your life didn't go on as it's programmed to, restarting at specific times in your past, repeatedly? What if Ken Grimwood's unparalleled novel, Replay, turned out to be reality? What would you do after your initial shock subsided somewhat? What would you do after you had done all the obvious things you could do? Louis finds himself in such a predicament, leaping back into his past, struggling to comprehend what's happening to him. He seeks some passing solace in the company of individuals who had marked his life-from Elvis Presley to Steve Irwin-sadly, all of whom had died too early but whom he attempts to save one way or another. Dedicated to Ken Grimwood and ultimately to longtime travel, this novel tries to intimate and cope with many of its inherent problems, especially death and immortality, two extremes that seem to lack a common ground.

Moses, the main character of Santa Claws, discovers sex and the verity of Freud's insight, finds out about death and the cruelty of consciousness, loses his mind and realizes that desperation is clawed, accepts the fact that we are all going to die and that life is short. Using hard-nosed, funny, succinct narrative, spangled with epigrammatic short stories, striving essays, contemplative poetry, playful plays and empirical studies, the novel intimates a singular Moses; one who does not rise to lead anybody--he practically despises everyone save Sophie and certain fury creatures--retreating inwards to fight the inevitable. Savvy readers will be interested by this novel; those not afraid to be shocked, mocked and challenged; those ready to be saddened and disappointed; those looking for some bemusement coupled with existential angst; those tired of fleeting romanticism and religious dogma.

What if your life did not take the usual course, restarting repeatedly at specific times in your past? What if Ken Grimwood's unparalleled novel, Replay, turned out to be reality? What would you do after your initial shock had somewhat subsided? What would you do after doing some of the obvious things you could do? Louis Sasportas, the main character of Freaking Forty-four, finds himself in such a predicament, leaping back into his past according to a precise timetable. Struggling to comprehend what is happening to him, he seeks some solace in the company of individuals who had marked our lives, including Charlie Chaplin, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Primo Levi, Carl Sagan and Douglas Adams, but ends up forever obsessed by the Shoah, setting out to avenge the six million Jews that were annihilated along with the progeny that could never come to be. Lulu Lavoix, his wife in most lives, other heartfelt partners, his parents and even Ken Grimwood, accompany him, most of them oftentimes unaware of his quests and in awe of his many skills. Using hard-nosed, comical, succinct narrative, spangled with epigrammatic digressions, the novel intimates a curious account, which should find some parallel in many a life. Readers will be interested by this novel; those not afraid to be shocked, mocked and challenged; those ready to be saddened and disappointed; those looking for bemusement coupled with existential angst; those tired of fleeting romanticism and religious dogma.