Angelina & Men

Hi Shaktima

First to comment.....Künstlerroman (i have a Spanish keyboard which also can write the character ü) is a genre which i have much time for...Hesse i have discussed on another recent review and also Orwells 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' and Fante's 'Ask the dust' are among my all-time favourites...you could even through in Thomas Wolfe's 'Look Homeward, Angel' for good measure (if you haven't read this you should).

Why do i mention these books? Because yours has made the impression on me like each of the aforementioned...from the moment of the opening of the cereal box shoot to the poignant words spoken by the father at the end of the chapter i was nodding along oblivious to all..... political discussions, treasure hunts and boys peeing standing up.

Placed on my shelf as this will go far.

Much appreciated

Ed Quinn (Donkeys kill more people)

This is very well written and my only advise is to put it under some other genres so it gets the exposure it desereves. You have a kanck for writing elegant yet sharp prose. I am backing this for a while.

Skater

The reader would be deluded to think that Shaktima Brien has created Angelina in the image of "The Thinking Man's Crumpet." Reminder: a 1960's male fantasy figment: an apotheosis embodying a woman perfect in beauty and intellect. Far from it: Angelina is equipped with brains as well as beauty but is determined to thrust beyond too easily defined "moral" boundaries and penetrate the depths of her, and men's libido to actively burst through their limits to liberation. As an executive in advertising the ultimate in material revelations attract her to "The American Dream." Already in the opening Chapter of - Angelina and Men - she is a free spirit with status, money and command over her liaisons. While her bondage to guilt ridden religious constraints is cast off, her physical endowments: breasts, butt, belly and vulva are tantalisingly and energetically mutually sampled in conjugations that rarely provide the orgasmic satisfaction she expects, anticipates and desires. But for Angelina, erotic compensations abound in her perceptions of art and literature. She is so well read that the reader, quite apart from experiencing explicit writing, evoking potentially vivid masturbatory reactions, will be diverted to revealing allusions of books by numerous accomplished authors. These are not merely name-checked: but the references to their titles and quotations are totally pertinent to Angelina's reflected stream of consciousness. It's pointless to compare and contrast Angelina's persona to Emil Zola's - Nana - nor characters in the writings of Annais Nin say, nor the principal character in the contemporary novel Belle de Jour,, because she's all of a piece and a unique sum of her parts. It comes to a sweet and natural close like music. Though classified as literary fiction - Angelina and Men - most accurately is best listed as erotica. For that reason my great-aunt Agatha (of distinct Miss. Haversham tendency) will not be receiving it as a Christmas present - nor in a similar regard, will my old uncle Albert get it for his eighty fifth birthday. Even so, it's a perfect treat for discerning readers among whom I count myself as most impressed. ******

Anthony Brady - SCENES FROM AN EXAMINED LIFE - Books 1,2 & 3.

Backed. Most enjoyable. Good luck. Barry (Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys)

Backed.

Jesse - Savant

Hi Shaktima,
This wouldn't normally be my first read, but your summary sounded interesting.... I really like the way you write, flowing and easy to follow. Two chapters in, and I already feel like I'm getting to know Angelina. You combine sensuousness flirtation with emptiness and sadness, dreams v reality, in the same paragraphs. I imagine she will discover her foundations (helped by flat shoes!), and develop her authentic power as your story progresses. Really good work, and backed by me.
Mark (Stand up and live!)

An interesting book. Your pitch suggests a Chick Lit type of book, but this is far from it. As your label says, it's Literary Fiction. You are writing with considerable depth about Angelina's ideas of life and relationships, men and women; and you are exploring the things which have made her what she is. She wants to change, to take control of her own life, and you show us how this develops. You write well, with great use of realistic dialogue. Because you make Angelina a first person narrator, we get her thoughts as well as her conversation, and get to know her well. Her ideas about men and women, formed from childhood, that men have power and women know nothing, need to change. She has been seeking power from men such as Bill, and despising men who need something from her. None of her relationships, therefore have worked. You are dealing with important subjects here, and managing to write about them in a light, amusing style which carries us on quickly, wanting to read more. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

This is good!
I really like Angelina, there is something about her, something different. Maybe it was the lighting of the cigar early in the first chapter. She has balls! In a good way. I hope you are still working on this. it really is a great read. You have such a dynamic MC who bends to the story easily, whether it is in the office enviroment, cut throat industry that she seemingly rules, or on the road in search of not only herself but other people . She allows you to do what you want with her.
She is what is driving this story forward.
This tantalizes the reader and you give us so much without giving us too much. This is the perfect cat and mouse style of writing that I love. It teases and taunts.
Really enjoyed this.
Backed
T.L Tyson-Seeking Eleanor

Beautiful transition to the next section of your book. The descriptions are tangible -- love your use of words to evoke scenes of great beauty and spiritual awakening. Was confused by the line in the last paragraph regarding the Hearst Castle spoken by a guide (I assume you are on a tour recalling the way that Justin left).

Every chapter gets better and better. The fantasy love scene is gorgeous . . . thrilling and erotic . . . tantalizing. These last few chapters also seem to read better (no problems with your English - going from French). The whole book reads well and continues to entice me and excite my imagination. Bravo Shaktima.

Intruiging, interesting and intelligent. You raise some important questions here, and touch upon some wonderful sentiments. This is about appreciating the unspoken things in life.

Andrew

Shaktima -- I'm very engrossed in your book. It continues to intrigue and mystify. I love your style of writing -- very matter-of-fact, blunt and perceptive. More comments to come.

"I've had enough of playing Barbie and the material girl," Angelina said to her six-month-long lover. It's a great line. Go, girl, go. "Corporate work is sucking our lives away." Amen. You are shelved. "Will you ever step out of this funk,and hit the road, Ange?" Will you?

Your dialogue is hot hot hot! I love how real this is. Shelved.

Angelina and Men

Hi Shaktima,

Nothing for me to add really, I could get the superlatives out but the cupboard is bare, authonomites have been there before me. I just loved the technical brilliance of your writing, a sleek infrastructure around which to deliver great characters, excellent dialogue and the story, well that will unfold I am sure. Some fantastic beats attached to dialogue, flying off into the unknown with the seagulls was one, the neck-tie reflection another. Scintillating prose, deserves to do very well if only you have the time to promote it here, best wishes

Andrew W.
(Sanctuary's Loss)

Congratulations . . . very good work. I love the emotional intensity of the book. Each chapter seems to push at the boundaries of social expectations. This is a journey of discovery for both reader and author.

I liked this chapter because it was a very realistic portrayal of a young girl's first communion. I felt as if I was in her head having the same experience.

Nice. You write terrific dialog (which is not easy to do). The reader can feel what Angelina are going through. There is movement and power in the chapters I've read so far.

Hello Shaktima,

It quickly becomes evident that you write well.In fact you and did an amazing job with the opening lines that drew me in right way.You have a way with descriptions that leave an indelible print in the mind of the reader and used dialogue and narrative effectively to give us a better picture of the characters and the storyline. I get the feeling that I am witnessing the development of a very compelling plot here that leaves me anticipating more with each chapter that I read. The setting is rich and colourful and the pacingis fast.

I see all the elements of a well-crafted story here.

All the best.

Janvier (Flash of the Sun)

Marion: I am French-Canadian. English is my second language. Would you have someone in mind "to smooth some of the edges." You say: "Your heroine's quest goes beyond the norm." I believe any Künstlerroman isn't that "commercial" at first. I am looking forward to read more of "Loisaida"

This is a great story, from corporate America to a road trip with a difference. Some fantastic imagery and dialogue. Your opening line comes across to me as a little awkward with its phrasing but that might just be me. Otherwise I can't see anything to critique. This would do very well in the shops. Good luck with it. Shelved.

Hi Shaktima

First to comment.....Künstlerroman (i have a Spanish keyboard which also can write the character ü) is a genre which i have much time for...Hesse i have discussed on another recent review and also Orwells 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' and Fante's 'Ask the dust' are among my all-time favourites...you could even through in Thomas Wolfe's 'Look Homeward, Angel' for good measure (if you haven't read this you should).

Why do i mention these books? Because yours has made the impression on me like each of the aforementioned...from the moment of the opening of the cereal box shoot to the poignant words spoken by the father at the end of the chapter i was nodding along oblivious to all..... political discussions, treasure hunts and boys peeing standing up.

Placed on my shelf as this will go far.

Much appreciated

Ed Quinn (Donkeys kill more people)