Above the Universe Below [Kindle Edition]

Elias Barton (Author)

Book Description

"Brilliant writing carries this pleasantly odd tale of an agoraphobic artist, Carder Quevedo... Carder's road is not an easy one, but readers will be rooting for him in this unusual and beautifully written book."
- Publishers Weekly

An agoraphobic artist in our world but a grim reaper in another, Carder Quevedo hides at home, immersing himself in the paintings which commemorate the strange deaths he's witnessed. He ventures into public only when necessary, scrambling to his hospital job to extract corneas from deceased donors or darting to the diner to share a meal with Darren, his only friend. That's Carder's existence - and he's content.

Until...

Haika changes that. As the bored, beautiful owner of an art gallery - who also happens to be married - she stumbles into Carder in a chance encounter and soon becomes obsessed with his art. As they forge a quirky, electric relationship, Carder is reluctantly pulled into Haika's social world of wealth, status and the peculiar characters that come with it. Carder is pushed further to the edge when his teenage niece visits, rebelling against her ultra-conservative upbringing. All the while, Carder's hidden history threatens to ruin his developing chance at normalcy, and on the opening night of his art gallery show, his past finally catches up to his present. Will its tentacles entwine them together, or wreak havoc upon them all?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brilliant writing carries this pleasantly odd tale of an agoraphobic artist, Carder Quevedo... Carder's road is not an easy one, but readers will be rooting for him in this unusual and beautifully written book."
- Publishers Weekly*

"Barton presents peculiar characters with lush, sweeping insights, and chips away at serious issues with deceptive playfulness.  His multi-faceted, imaginative world charges forward while never losing sight of what makes us love Carder and Haika." - Alison Pace, author of You Tell Your Dog First

From the Author

"Above the Universe Below is very much about what people don't say, what they keep to themselves.  When Carder, the ever-awkward lead character, came to me, I promised to represent him and his journey toward finding self-acceptance, love and family with a warts-and-all approach.  I hope readers enjoy this window into the soul of  this weird but gentle person."
-Elias Barton

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 604 KB
• Print Length: 335 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615660746
• Publisher: Iron Glass (June 18, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008CQGCUG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #535,484 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Incredibly Well Written Fresh Breath in the World of Fiction! September 25, 2012

By Stephanie Ward

Format:Kindle Edition

'Above the Universe Below' is a dark fantasy novel that follows the main character, Carder, through his strange personal life in New York City as well as the dark universe he is able to travel to in his mind. Carder has tried his whole life to keep his two worlds as far apart as he can, but deep down he fears that one day they will come crashing together with devastating results.

I was intrigued by the description and premise of this novel, and I'm really glad to say that it surpassed all of my expectations. At once odd and unique, yet beautifully written with wry humor thrown into the mix - I was immediately entranced in its pages. I have never come across a novel like this one before, and I'm actually at somewhat of a loss on how to describe it. It is extremely well written - with striking descriptions and astonishingly enthralling prose. It isn't a book that you quickly read through and forget, but one that you meander through at leisure, soaking up every bit of literary pleasure. The plot is unlike anything else out there and is definitely on the dark and quirky side. I fell in love with everything about this book - from the characters and setting to the enchanting narrative and curious plot. I will be thinking of this novel for a long time to come. I highly recommend it for readers who want a break from normalcy and everyday reality.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Elias Barton's ABOVE THE UNIVERSE BELOW Shows Appreciation For Those Who Feel Less Than Enough November 7, 2012

By C. A. Webb TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I find myself always rooting for the misunderstood. I guess because I have a connection with them that few might understand but others will appreciate.

In his book ABOVE THE UNIVERSE BELOW author Elias Barton takes readers on a journey of a character that none of us have really met but all of us know all too well. Carder is a man of secrets, living the life of more than one man just not feeling any way whole. The arts are not just an escape for him but a door into a place where he can control the goings and comings of the world---that is until someone enters his domain and sidetracks everything he thought he knew about himself, the possibilities for the future and love.

When readers meet Haika they are introduced to someone who gets to know the man outside of what she sees with just her eyes---and that is what makes them both special. Though Carder might have felt really misunderstood and alone, he is shown something outside of the world he has created and opens himself up to exploring something unknown and exciting that could just be the key to dealing with the rest of his existence.

Delving into feelings about family, faith and the human spirit, ABOVE THE UNIVERSE BELOW invites us all to step outside of our comfort zone and welcome in the opportunity for something better and more fulfilling than what we have. Sure it can have its risks and consequences but the benefits are more than worth it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dali and Chagall meet the prose of a poetic heart September 18, 2012

By Gaele

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I received a copy of this book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

This book was a fantastic ride through the mind and memories of an artist. Encompassing his day job, his view on the world around him and memories of childhood that remain with a surrealistic edge; Dali and Chagall meet the prose of a poetic heart.

I was personally disinclined to see Carder in a sympathetic light. As I started the book, although beautifully and rhythmically written, he felt like the stereotypic emo artist - rather pretentious and hemmed in by their own self-import. What was quickly revealed was Carder's shyness and the reasons that define his behavior, and label him "weird".

What emerges as the story progresses is all of the influences, real and imagined that Carder draws from to exist, to create and even to amuse himself. The words are put together with a near melodic pattern: from the moments of rhyming from sentence to sentence, to long and rather staccato beats, the words seem to want to be read in a rhythm of their own creation. What I found interesting is that Carder, by his own admission, spends too much time alone, painting with only Rachmaninoff for company. Somehow, that music has translated to the page, words wanting to be sung in my head with specific rhythm and meter.

A testament to those "weird but gentle" souls that walk among us, this book opens a new way of looking at the world and how those impressions can create beauty, even if only in a metaphor. The writing is beautiful and lyrical, with characters that are deftly and clearly drawn. What the author has cleverly managed to do is incorporate meaning and longing, with the little annoyances of life into a story contained but not constrained within its pages. Anyone who has ever felt alone in a crowded room will find this book calls to them and favorite lines appear unbidden, making the story live on long after the last page is complete.

More About the Author

Elias Barton has lived on the edge of an active volcano, worked in a Bible factory and is the author of the novel "Above the Universe Below." He was a semifinalist in both 2011 and 2012 for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. He currently resides in Washington DC.