Description
FICTION FOR THE MASSES
Book Summary
A novel that drifts between delirium and existential reflection. Nathaniel Mortimer, a celebrated horror comic artist, dies of COVID-19 in New York. His hatred for a father who never believed in him becomes the engine for a journey to hell. There, guided by Philip K. Dick himself and assisted by a peculiar celestial civil servant, he will traverse the nine circles of hell. What seems like a quest for revenge transforms into a job interview with the Devil, revealing a truth that defies reality and fiction.
What is it about?
The story begins with the death of Nathaniel Mortimer, a successful horror comic artist, who is a victim of the pandemic. His resentment toward his father, who never supported his artistic vocation, is so profound that it becomes the fuel for a supernatural journey. Matelda Loewenstein, a human resources director from the afterlife and God’s secretary, opens the gates of hell for him. To travel through its nine circles, Nathaniel has an unexpected guide: his admired writer Philip K. Dick. Through baroque landscapes and hypnotic perversions, the protagonist discovers that his journey is not a simple filial revenge, but an appointment with the Prince of Darkness for a job interview. The novel explores the thin line between reality and fiction, the indomitable creative impulse, and the search for one's own voice as a path to sanity.
Main themes
- The journey to hell as a metaphor for grief and personal reconciliation.
- The conflicting relationship between an artist and his father, and the need for recognition.
- The fusion of reality and fiction through the presence of Philip K. Dick as a character.
- Death and the afterlife interpreted from a bureaucratic and surreal perspective.
- The creative impulse as an incorruptible life force in the face of adversity.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at readers of contemporary fiction who enjoy plots with fantastic and existential elements. It is especially attractive to fans of philosophical science fiction, admirers of Philip K. Dick, and horror comic enthusiasts. It will also interest those who are looking for a novel that combines black humor, social criticism, and a reflection on art and fatherhood.
What this book offers
- An original and playful reinterpretation of the Dantesque hell, adapted to contemporary sensibilities.
- A tribute to the figure of Philip K. Dick, integrated organically into the plot.
- A reflection on the redemptive power of art and the need for personal validation.
- A visual and baroque narrative, characteristic of an author who understands the language of comics.
- A critical and satirical look at the world of work and human relationships, even in the afterlife.
Technical specifications
- Author: ARTIGUE, LUIS
- Publisher: EDITORIAL PEZ DE PLATA,S.L
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, SCIENCE FICTION
- Collection: NARRATIVA PEZ DE PLATA
- Publication date: June 2022
- Number of pages: 192
- Weight: 342 g
Editorial review
A bold narrative proposal that combines the fantasy genre with a deep emotional inquiry. Luis Artigue constructs a novel that captivates with its overflowing imagination and its ability to mix the sacred and the profane with a tone that is both lyrical and corrosive. The inclusion of Philip K. Dick as a guide is not a mere nod, but a success that gives coherence to the reflection on reality and fiction. It is a recommended read for those who are looking for more than just entertainment: a work that invites reflection on art, forgiveness, and identity.