The Lightning Stenography Device

What happens when AI becomes good enough to write a book in our name? And do it better than we can? This book explores what might happen. Funny but Sad but Scary but definitely unforgettable.

Perfect mix of fantasy and horror! This book drew me in from the cover and the synopsis on the back. Definitely odd and full of surrealism. This book if you want something like you've never read before is for you.

Well this is an unusual creature. I quite liked it. I didn’t completely love it, but I liked it. This is a story with four separate narrators, presented one at a time, the first three of which collectively provide a synoptic view of the events of the first half of the book. I fear though that some readers may fault the direction in which the fourth narrator goes in the second half of the book, as it is rather unexpected, and decidedly different. I myself don’t fault that, and in fact would tell others to just go with it, as the last half of the book is a heck of a narrative in its own right. I think the only thing that slightly dissatisfied me as a reader, is that the wrap-up/resolution/conclusion is so quick, and feels as if it leaves some things hanging, even though really it doesn’t. The writing is quite solid, the pacing is good, and the individual narrators each have a distinct voice. I think the key is to go into this knowing that this is not some by-the-numbers sci-fi thriller/mystery that you’d find at that sad little “book store” at the airport, next to Nora Roberts and James Patterson. This is that you-haven’t-heard-of-it-before book that a friend tries to passionately explain to you at 1am, making nonsensical comparisons, telling you in rambled speech that it starts like Philip K. Dick by way of Vladimir Nabokov, and ultimately ends up like C.S. Lewis by way of Hunter S. Thompson, with maybe a little of Genesis and the Gospel of John by way of William Burroughs snuck in here & there, but remains elegant the whole way. And that just leaves you confused, but still you’re interested. Or maybe you’re more of an airport book person, and the fact that this isn’t about chicken soup & souls turned you immediately off; I don’t know. I myself received this book from netgalley.com in exchange for writing a review. But I didn’t just read it because it was free. There were plenty of other free alternatives available, but this one’s description intrigued me. And ultimately I’m glad I selected it.

The beginning of the book is about a device that transcribes thoughts to "paper". For some people the device writes a story while they sleep - and that story is prophetic. The characters are interesting and dynamic. A lot of weird stuff happens, and I love it.

The second half of the book is completely different and I thought it was amazing. I couldn't put it down until the end. It's a pure fantasy with magic and witches and kings. Taken as a whole, the book was really good. It was all very philosophical. Honestly, I would read a 600 page book about The Huntress and the King. Amazing imagery.

I loved how wacky this book was, balancing a mix of horror and surreal fantasy in a way that kept me moving through the pages. Unlike anything I've ever read, with a quad of narrators, deep philosophy, and the stitching together of Science Fiction and Fantasy in a delightfully horrific way.

Hands down LOVED it.

MIND BLOWN! This book is super slow to start, but it was psychologically intriguing and rutting around in the philosophical, so I stuck with it. Around 20% the different characters begin to relate to each other and the plot picks up speed. The first half of the book takes place in 2031 and then switches to unknown times. The writing was engaging and I filled my Kindle with highlighted quotes and I never do this.

Now, I'm not saying it was intentional on the author's part, but the story in the second half of the book seemed to evolve from a biblical type narration through parables, fables, folk stories, classic fairytale style, to modern Fantasy; and I loved it. This is a book I will need to re-read to be able to more fully absorb its undercurrents and shadows of meaning.

This isn't a book for the lighthearted reader. It is dense, and the themes are psychologically and philosophically heavy. There is also a good dose of spiritual content within both halves of the book, not preachy, but thought provoking. Brilliant!

Genre - Fantasy/Metaphysical
Pages - 472
Publication Info - Painted Blind Publishing (March 19, 2018)
Format - Kindle
Stars - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The Lightning Stenography Device” by M.F. Sullivan is a literary evolution. Told in four parts, with each part being a story unto itself and later inter-woven into the whole. The first three parts are pretty much near future fiction and stick to the same cast of characters and storyline. Part 4 deviates from the first 3 parts and takes you on a mind altering journey. Be prepared to think and get involved. This is not an easy read, but it is well worth every single minute I spent reading it. It’s complex, visionary and at times involved, but by books end you will have a better understanding of why the deviation or change in storyline was taken. I think the hardest part about reviewing this book is that it really does not fit into any specific genre, but bends many to the point of redefining them. If that’s hard to get your head around, well that’s kind of what this whole book tends to do. This was one of the most unusual and interesting books I’ve read in a very long time. I am looking forward to checking out more of M.F. Sullivan’s work.

M.F. Sullivan is a playwright and author of two novels.

From back cover: The first marketable thought to text device is released for public consumption in 2031. That same year, author Cassius Wagner will have a seizure. At least, that is what the novel says: the novel to which he awakens in fragments one morning after a late night of writing. This novel.

Terrified to have a prophetic manuscript unfurling at his heels, his desperation to evade his fate prevents him from considering that his lover and editrix, Katherine Beauvoir, might be wrestling with a destiny of her own--a destiny which seems to concern the discovery of a human skull, and the true identity of the device's mysterious creator.

Told in four psychedelic parts which peak with the fable of a sublingual Huntress as she fights to save her King, The Lightning Stenography Device blurs the speculative fiction and fantasy genres to explore the fabric of literature, the boundaries of reality, and the limits of human consciousness.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was such a joy to read. I love how it tied in real and fictitious events in to make the story seem believable.

Oh my goodness, what did I just read? I don't even know where to begin. Not only is this book a mash-up of everything I love, I had no idea at any moment where this story was going. Some people may not like that if you're a creature of comfort when it comes to structure, but this was such a ride. I highly recommend you add this to your May TBR!