Etc Etc Amen eBook Howard Male
Download As PDF : Etc Etc Amen eBook Howard Male 
Literary fiction.
Etc Etc Amen eBook Howard Male
I'd never heard of Howard Male until I encountered him commenting on a mutual friend's Facebook status, but as soon as he friended me, I gobbled up as much of his terrific writing on music (particularly that of Africa and the African diaspora) as I could find. I've learned loads from him, and gotten dozens of recommendations that have ended up in heavy rotation on my Spotify playlists. But one of the best recommendations I got from him was for his first novel, the thought-provoking, funny, and all-around delightful Etc Etc Amen. I bring this up because he's so self-conscious about promoting his book, but what's a self-publisher to do? And besides, when none other than Tony Visconti, who's produced dozens of artists from T Rex to David Bowie to Alejandro Escovedo gives you a thumbs-up cover blurb, I think you've got the right to share the endorsement.Not that he needs the stamp of approval, though when one of your book's central characters is a 70s glam rocker who echoes both Bowie and Bolan, it's apropo. Etc Etc Amen is a mystery on more than one level: It's the story of two journalists trying to get to the bottom of a series of deaths surrounding a new religion inspired by the writings of the Zachary B., the aforementioned glam rocker, it's a meditation on the possibilities and problems surrounding both established religion and cults, it's an investigation into personality disintegration that can come when we idolize pop stars and prophets. It's a wry look at rock journalism and rock music. It's also damned funny.
The book is actually three books: the journalists' tale, set in Marrakesh in 2007; a rock writer's biography of Zachary B, and it's selections from "The KUU Hypothesis," the "bible" of KUU-ism (the initials stand for "Knowing Unknowable Universe"), a religion based on paradox and coincidence. Each chapter is a passage from each book, interspersed among each other so that the events in Marrakesh bounce off of a bit of Paul Coleridge's bio of Zachary B, which in turn bounce off of bits of KUU-ist philosophy, each one shedding light on the others. That Male manages to pull off this literary trick without ever letting up on the suspence--why are KUU-ists committing suicide?--as he builds to the final conclusion is a testament to both his vision and his skill.
Each one of these books would be a rewarding read on its own, but of course the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Throughout, the characters are well-drawn, and even if I was able to figure out some of the "surprises" a page or two before the reveals, the book never felt predictable because there was so much going on. And, as I mentioned, it's funny as hell; even as I reflect on it and write this, I'm chuckling at internal jokes that I'm just getting at the moment. Occasionally, it's a bit too cute for its own good, but the giggles far outpace the grimaces.
And if some of the dialog could have been formatted better (at least in the Kindle version, which is how I read it), well, that's a minor complaint that comes with a self-published book, I suppose. The flip side is that, without the ability to self-publish, this book never would have seen the light of day, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.
It's rare that a book qualifies as both a great summer "beach read" and a thoughtful examination of life, the universe, and everything, but Etc Etc Amen is one of those gems.
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Etc Etc Amen eBook Howard Male Reviews
I wish there was a 6th star to give this book...it's that good!
So many novels that use rock stars or musical settings in fiction..well,they get it kinda wrong...Male is a music writer,as well as musician...and gets it right...
The riffs on glam-rock,cults of personality,religious buffoonery,and growing into and out of obsessions are all spot on...
The best thing about this book,and the highest praise I myself my give it,is that the people and events really seemed to have happened and existed!...The rock icon Zachary B,his Boswell (and more,but no spoilers...read it!)Paul Coleridge,Helen the disciple,and the managers,rock scribes,band members,drug dealers,etc...populate a world that is engrossing,entertaining,and thought provoking....
Male's eye for details (down to a fictitious discography for ol' Zachary) and lush storytelling,with multiple plotlines hurtling toward an endgame that you will not see coming...well,prepare to be dazzled is all im gonna say!
GET THIS BOOK!!!!!
If you dig Philip K. Dick and China Mievile, and enjoy your rock and roll time-travel infused with a dose of neo-Buddhism, (or something akin to it)
then Howard Male's "Etc.,etc, Amen" will roll over you like an Elvis impersonator on a segue transporter. Male has an uncanny insider's vantage point into the
world of all things glam. Now blend that with a healthy dollop of 'Brother from Another Planet," empathy, a dash Marc Bolan, for good measure and stir over a steady flame while chanting, "There's no sound like gnome's," and you begin to get the Big Picture. Enjoy the labyrinthian romp. C'mon, I dare you. Chase the white rabbit. I did.
One of the best, if not the best, rock and roll tales I've ever read. It traces the beginnings of a Glam rock star in the 70s to a bizarre twist of events that makes him a modern day prophet of the millennium. Howard Male mixes in real events and characters of London's rock scene to make it a totally believable story. If you are a fan of Bowie and Bolan you will love this book. I sincerely hope this will become a film one day.
I'd never heard of Howard Male until I encountered him commenting on a mutual friend's Facebook status, but as soon as he friended me, I gobbled up as much of his terrific writing on music (particularly that of Africa and the African diaspora) as I could find. I've learned loads from him, and gotten dozens of recommendations that have ended up in heavy rotation on my Spotify playlists. But one of the best recommendations I got from him was for his first novel, the thought-provoking, funny, and all-around delightful Etc Etc Amen. I bring this up because he's so self-conscious about promoting his book, but what's a self-publisher to do? And besides, when none other than Tony Visconti, who's produced dozens of artists from T Rex to David Bowie to Alejandro Escovedo gives you a thumbs-up cover blurb, I think you've got the right to share the endorsement.
Not that he needs the stamp of approval, though when one of your book's central characters is a 70s glam rocker who echoes both Bowie and Bolan, it's apropo. Etc Etc Amen is a mystery on more than one level It's the story of two journalists trying to get to the bottom of a series of deaths surrounding a new religion inspired by the writings of the Zachary B., the aforementioned glam rocker, it's a meditation on the possibilities and problems surrounding both established religion and cults, it's an investigation into personality disintegration that can come when we idolize pop stars and prophets. It's a wry look at rock journalism and rock music. It's also damned funny.
The book is actually three books the journalists' tale, set in Marrakesh in 2007; a rock writer's biography of Zachary B, and it's selections from "The KUU Hypothesis," the "bible" of KUU-ism (the initials stand for "Knowing Unknowable Universe"), a religion based on paradox and coincidence. Each chapter is a passage from each book, interspersed among each other so that the events in Marrakesh bounce off of a bit of Paul Coleridge's bio of Zachary B, which in turn bounce off of bits of KUU-ist philosophy, each one shedding light on the others. That Male manages to pull off this literary trick without ever letting up on the suspence--why are KUU-ists committing suicide?--as he builds to the final conclusion is a testament to both his vision and his skill.
Each one of these books would be a rewarding read on its own, but of course the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Throughout, the characters are well-drawn, and even if I was able to figure out some of the "surprises" a page or two before the reveals, the book never felt predictable because there was so much going on. And, as I mentioned, it's funny as hell; even as I reflect on it and write this, I'm chuckling at internal jokes that I'm just getting at the moment. Occasionally, it's a bit too cute for its own good, but the giggles far outpace the grimaces.
And if some of the dialog could have been formatted better (at least in the version, which is how I read it), well, that's a minor complaint that comes with a self-published book, I suppose. The flip side is that, without the ability to self-publish, this book never would have seen the light of day, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.
It's rare that a book qualifies as both a great summer "beach read" and a thoughtful examination of life, the universe, and everything, but Etc Etc Amen is one of those gems.
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