The Cure [Paperback]

Anthony Marais (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2006

A young American flees to Wiesbaden, Germany where he develops an obsession with the spa water, leading to a surreal journey into the occult.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ANTHONY MARAIS was born in Hollywood in 1966. He studied anthropology at U.C. Berkeley and archaeology at Simon Fraser University in Canada. His writing focuses on culture and its ability to elevate people beyond their natural condition. He is author of The Xenophobe's Guide to the Californians (Oval Books, London). The Cure is his first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Balneum Books (May 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097747920X
• ISBN-13: 978-0977479207
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,894,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Hollywood and raised in Southern California. I studied anthropology at U.C. Berkeley and archaeology at Simon Fraser University in Canada.

I've traveled throughout Polynesia and Europe, and since 1995 have been living in Wiesbaden, Germany.

I've been avidly watching movies ever since I saw Woody Allen's 'Sleeper' at the cinema at the age of seven.

In 1985, with Bryan Foy I co-founded 'The Squids' an Orange County pop-group which was heard on L.A.'s most popular radio stations.

I lived in Paris for two years next to Notre Dame, near the Marais quarter. During this time I saw Jean Marais perform on stage and discovered the music of Marin Marais.

I attended my first archaeological field school at an historic Russian fort (Fort Ross) in Sonoma, California. It was here that I decided to become an archaeologist.

While at Berkeley, I lived in The Carlton Hotel on the corner of Telegraph and Durant. During this time I became a devotee of the clown/activist Stoney Burke.

In 1991, while living on Guam, I played bass guitar for the Chamorro singer/songwriter Maria Yatar. As payment for my services I was given a traditional Micronesian tattoo applied by hand which took ten hours (I won't tell you where).

I've worked as an archaeologist on the islands of Tahiti, Mo'orea, Guam, Puluwat, Truk, Ponape, Tonga, Oahu, and Fiji. The time spent on these islands was pivotal in the development of my attitude toward writing.

In 1995, I became a member of the Academy of Magical Arts ('The Magic Castle') in Hollywood. I also read The Magic Mountain, decided to write a novel and met writer Richard A. Lord in Frankfurt.

In 2002, I met Polish film director Jarek Marszewski and since this time have been collaborating with him on his forthcoming film 'Plateau.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truth; the finding is painful but necessary, February 28, 2007

By 

Nora Caron (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cure (Paperback)

Marais' deeply witty, intelligent, philosophical novel The Cure is not made for readers who have a sensitive stomach; although it begins with a light, humorous series of mini adventures, it ends with a plunge into the deep black sea: the search for truth is not an easy search, Marais seems to be underlining. What Robert Holsen, the protagonist, is searching for ultimately mirrors what we are all searching for: meaning to our petty, routine existences.

Robert finds himself in a little village in Germany, feeding on his desire to discover new frontiers; little does he know what he is getting into when he begins to drink the famous Wiesbaden waters. As his thirst for this water grows, it seems his thirst for the Unknown grows too; yet as Carlos Castaneda would say, the Unknown only leads to madness, thus people should stick to their side of the world to remain sane.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Marais' novel; having never read him before, one should know that Marais' archeological past creeps up in many eloquent descriptive passages. He often describes with clear and vivid words the world around him, and brings into this world a very pleasing and aesthetic quality. His characters are other worldly, often causing us to laugh hysterically or swallow with difficulty. For those searching for the Fountain of Youth, perhaps Marais' philosophies are the portal to a new understanding of the term "Everlasting life".

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fascinating novel, January 20, 2007

By 

book.of.the.moment "reviewer" (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cure (Paperback)

"The Cure," entertains the ageless question "why am I here, and what is my purpose?" A question many ask themselves, and very few are ever able to answer. The story is one of self discovery..of fleeing your everyday world for someplace new, in an attempt to put your own life into some sort of perspective.

The plot is simple: Robert, the main character, is disappointed in what his university filled life has to offer him, so he leaves. Cutting all ties with those people and things who no longer bring any sort of fulfillment, he finds himself in a spa town in Germany. From here we follow Robert on his somewhat painful, often mysterious voyage towards self discovery.

Anthony Marais has produced a brilliant novel here..its something anyone can relate to. The characters are entertaining and have witty dialogues, and Marais has intelligent views on life and human nature.

I'm not sure what else to write here..I don't want to tell all about the story, as it really is one that everyone needs to read and appreciate for themselves. If you know anything about personal journeys, or just want to read about one, this is your book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed reading this book, December 16, 2006

By 

R. F. Salazar (Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cure (Paperback)

I stumbled upon Anthony Marais' book while I was walking around in a town called Wiesbaden, in Germany. I read the last page first, as is my custom, flipped through it a little bit, and decided to buy it. I'm glad I did. I found the book to be thoroughly enjoyable, and completely entertaining. I appreciated the author's toungue-in-cheek sense of humor, his insights into human nature, and his interpretation of life. I recommend this book to anyone who knows about personal journeys into oneself, or to anyone who wants to read about one.

I have, since reading the book, handed my copy to friends for them to read.