Anomaly: a literary mainstream novel [Kindle Edition]

Thea Atkinson (Author)

Book Description

Relapse isn't just for addicts.
 
J doesn't need rehab. He's well clean of the hard stuff, the soft stuff, and the things in between that helped him bury all the doubts he has about who he is. That was before the tormented drug addict from next door sets J on a renewed path of self-destruction that threatens to re-ignite all the fears he's spent years trying to manage. Now everything he's worked for is at stake: his sobriety, his identity, even his fragile sense of self.

Anomaly is a literary fiction - come - psychological thriller about substance abuse in the seamy world of sexuality and self discovery. It's ultimately about prejudice and bias. More than that, it's about finding a way to make peace with yourself when no one else understands you.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I highly recommend Anomaly by Thea Atkinson"--Tracy Riva Books and Reviews

From the Author

I came to really enjoy being in J.'s company. This character looked at things differently than I did. This character had a far more benevolent streak than I do, and I came to really respect J.'s determination to find peace.

I think if you sample Anomaly, you will come to like J as much as I do.

There are some dark bits; J's tale can be sordid and brutal in places, but as I always say, "You can't appreciate the light unless you've been in the dark." And in essence, that's what this novel is about. It's about what all of my novels explore, really.

I hope you enjoy it.
Thea Atkinson

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 421 KB
• Print Length: 199 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004C0542S
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #385,123 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful October 19, 2011

By gimmeapen

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Thea Atkinson flawlessly captures the many nuisances of the human condition. The pain, the love, the uncertainly- all blended seamlessly into the story of J. It is a wonderful story that will hold your attention from cover to cover.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy read, heart warming November 23, 2010

By Sterljoy

Format:Kindle Edition

Ok, this is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was an easy read. I was absorb in the mind boggling issues "J" ( the main character) was dealing with. At times I felt his confusion, his anger, his need to belong. I found myself rooting for him. Wish the story could continue, I did not want it to end. This book get 5 stars from me because, I could not get "J" out of mind after I had finish reading the book. When a book end with me wanting more it gets 5 stars. Hope the author continues the story line.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Character Driven Fiction October 28, 2011

By JAScribbles

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Once I've finished a Thea Atkinson book I can't help but feel sorry for the next title on my list - it will always pale in comparison.

Anomaly is a great example of character driven fiction. I enjoyed Ms. Atkinson's portrayal of J., Molly, Stephanie, and Sherona. They were vivid and wonderfully written.

This is not a neat and tidy storyline. We are left in the dark regarding J's past, how he and Molly came to be friends, why they're still friends, what will happen next with so many things - it's all just left wide open. I didn't care. I felt this was a fantastic read.

The reader finds out J is bi-gendered. We also know that there are many drug abuse demons lurking. I'm not sure which element was stronger in this story... they went hand in hand. Thea Atkinson hits on a very key issue regarding transgender individuals. Why not just pick one, just go with it and live your life? What does it matter? Anomaly shows us it is the only thing that matters.

One complaint - this should be available in paperback. I believe it would come in around 220 pages.

Thea Atkinson is one of my favorite authors of all time. That is a lofty thing to say considering I've only finished two of her books. But I mean it. She's that good.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Anomaly March 27, 2011

By BigAl TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

I'm going to cheat and start with a quote snatched out of the author's own commentary because it describes the heart of this book so well.
*************
When I first began writing this book and realized that my main character was a trans person, I got really nervous. What did I know about transgender? I even remember saying to my daughter, "Why would my muse give me a transgender character to work with?"

The deeper I got into the writing, the more I realized that it was about the human condition. It was about bias and prejudice and the need for society to put labels on things that we don't understand. It just so happened that my character was transgender. The same as if my character just happened to be a man and as an author I'm a woman.
*******************
Atkinson succeeded in communicating all of those things. The cliché about walking in someone else's shoes applies as well. Her portrayal of J is both sympathetic and, for those who have ever had someone think less of them because of being different, potentially eye opening. "Anomaly" is not a book I would have been likely to read on my own, despite it coming close to issues that I care about. Yet, I can't help but think I'm a better person for having done so.

"Anomaly" is also an excellent example of why the rise of Indie publishing we're experiencing is a good thing. I find it hard to picture this book attracting a contract with a traditional publisher. Not because the writing or the story isn't good enough, they are. But because of marketing reasons. How would we position it? Who's the audience? Can we sell enough? This book deserves an audience and you owe it to yourself to read it.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog.**

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, just wow July 1, 2011

By P. Beaudin

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The story sucked me right in and throughout it all I was cheering for J. When he teetered towards a relapse into drug use, I was on the edge of my seat pleading, DON'T DO IT! And when he didn't, I cheered.

J was a raw person, there really wasn't anything sugar coated about him. He was a man physically but didn't always feel like one and often switched from dressing and acting like a man to dressing and acting like a woman when the moods hit. And all that confusion about what gender he really was sent him down dark paths that are slowly revealed. Also, I love his obsession with bras and underwear and the care he gives each piece. It wasn't painted in a perverted light but a light of someone who enjoyed to occasionally wear those items or a female lover wear them just so they could be taken off.

As for the other characters. Molly... I loved and hated her. I wanted her on the same path as J and be free of drugs and she was so stubborn at times, deflecting J's attempts to care. Their friendship and past were revealed perfectly. I will admit in the beginning I was confused. Molly is a lesbian but I couldn't figure out if she and J actually had sex at one point while he was in a feminine mood.

Stephanie and Sherona I would have liked to see more but their parts in the story were actually quite perfect. I guess what I would have loved was the story to continue and see what happens next. But all good stories must come to an end and that's another good sign for me. When I don't want the story to end (BTW J was in my dreams all last night. Don't remember what went on but I know he was there.)

But as I noted when talking about Molly not all was perfect. The biggest problem I had was confusion. At first it was mostly about J while he and Molly were in the bar.... I kept wondering what gender was he dressed as. Some of the early confusion also stemmed from the fact that J was the way he was and until I got used to how he acted and thought, I was confused. I think if I read it again, there would be less confusion in the beginning. Other bits of confusion came at sentences that just felt too full of words, I had to reread slowly and pick it apart to understand and even then I didn't always. Read more ›

More About the Author

Thea Atkinson writes character driven fiction to the left of mainstream; call it what you will: she prefers to describe her work as psychological dramas with a distinct literary flavour. Her characters often find themselves in the darker edges of their own spirits but manage to find the light they seek.

She has been an editor, a freelancer, and a teacher, but fiction is her passion. She now blogs and writes and twitters. Not necessarily in that order.

Please visit her blog for ramblings, guest posts, giveaways, and more
http://theaatkinson.wordpress.com

or follow her on twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/theaatkinson

or like her facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theas-Writing-Page/122231651163413


a special thanks to Tiffany Atkinson for taking my author photo.