1.30.2009

Glass Soup by Jonathan Carroll

Glass Soup
by Jonathan Carroll

I enjoyed reading “The Ghost In Love” so much that I bought another Jonathan Carroll novel, “Glass Soup”. I did not know prior to reading “Glass Soup” that some of the characters were from his previous novel called “White Apples”. Nevertheless, “Glass Soup” is comprehensible without reading the prequel and sated my desire for a striking imaginative fantasy.

Similar to Carroll’s most recent novel “The Ghost In Love”, “Glass Soup” explores the concept of life and death. Cosmic equilibrium is contended for between good and evil. Bring back her beloved Vincent from death, Isabelle has inadvertently initiated Chaos’ ability to think and become a formidable contender creating nefarious adversary John Flannery. Tipping the balance dependence on whether Isabelle Nuekor’s and Vincent Ettrich’s child Anjo, is born in land of death.

Broximon, an infinitesimal man that can fit into a manila envelope and Bob, a polar bear that is God are just two of Jonathan Carroll’s surreal characters, but Carroll’s main characters are multidimensional serving to establish realistic characters. An aspect that manifests realism is that almost all of the main characters have committed adultery or has character flaws, but these moral imperfections are only an aspect that constitutes being human. In addition, Carroll’s witty humor pervades throughout the book. For example, Carroll conveys nemesis John Flannery despicable lascivious persona when he writes, “John Flannery was writing in his journal when the doorbell rang. He stopped, capped the silver fountain pen, and read what he had just written: Up close, most women’s pussies look like a piece of chewed gum” (p. 245).

I will most certainly look forward to another Jonathan Carroll novel.

1.17.2009

The Ghost In Love: A Novel by Jonathan Carroll


The Ghost In Love: A Novel 
by Jonathan Carroll

"The Ghost In Love” is more than a mere ghost story regarding love. Jonathan Carroll creates an unpredictable story that tackles the subject of destiny and identity using unconventional circumstances that will make you laugh and discern that those are some profound prose that can motivate the most cynical human being. Love is a principal component, but not the cliché, I would do anything for you, rather how love can guide you to happiness. A clandestine confabulation between man and best friend (dog) conducted in a secure atmosphere (refrigerator), the angel of death appearing on a plate of bacon and eggs, and cancer floating around as a pink substance looking for its assignment seems preposterous, but Jonathan Carroll has a talent for making outlandish circumstances realistic.

Synopsis:

Ben Gould, a man that should have died has come back with extraordinary abilities that seem more like a neurosis, which has overtaxed his relationship with girlfriend German Landis. Ben must find a way to put his life back together, but he must contend with his nemesis, someone we have all probably contended with throughout life. With his ghost Ling, dog Pilot, ex-girlfriend German, and death survivor Danielle Voyles, Ben is the evolution of humanities quirk to that pesky problem called death. 

I am rushing to buy another Jonathan Carroll novel.