Semi Finalist
Assessment:
Plot: After a curious start, the narrative quickly gains momentum and stays at full speed: the apparently insane Jean Dupont escapes from a mental facility, encounters monsters and gangsters, and makes a disconcerting self-discovery with regard to superpowers. The plot twists are numerous and the pacing excellent.
Prose: Uniquely smart, sardonic, and wickedly funny prose helps to sustain the fast pace.
Originality: The term “utterly original” is too weak for this book. While there are existing novels about insane asylums, including ones from the point of view of patients or doctors, this book's additional elements of magic, gangsters, and superpowers gained through pharmaceutical drugs make this feel exceptionally fresh.
Character Development: Jean has a singular personality: sometimes irritating but oftentimes heroic and sympathetic. All other characters are crisply defined, including the gangster's daughter Natalie Gravois and the sorcerer Michel Zabat.
Blurb: This rapid-fire blast through the life of an apparent madman is dangerously and addictively intoxicating.
Date Submitted: July 17, 2018
Those who seek literary psychological and social reflective pieces spiced with the astute and astonishing observations of a narrator who struggles to piece together his non-existent life's meaning will relish the lively tone, lovely metaphorical descriptions, and many unexpected encounters in Stumbling Stoned: a vivid story of recovery, defeat, transformation, and monsters both real and imagined.
Murder, magic and a lot of madness.Non-stop, witty and cleverly written.This book was recommended to me as I recently finished a highly popular urban fantasy series set in London and honestly I enjoyed this one far more. It is darker, wittier and far more action packed while avoiding the cliches that so many books fall into. Intriguing characters and a great set up for hopefully several sequels.This series promises to be one to watch.
Thrilling and hilarious.
This book was recommended to me by a friend. I am glad I gave it a shot, as the author combines a fascinating story with great (sometimes dark) humor. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing in this confusing world.
Stumbling Stoned is a masterpiece, a work with a cunning plot and awesome writing, interspersed with witticism and great dialogues. Emotionally engaging and psychologically compelling. You won't put it down.
