Customer Reviews

The Discovery of Luminous Being

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The Discovery of Luminous Being, Anthony Maulaucci's powerful first novel, is the story of two wars, the first being the distant but menacing conflict in Vietnam, and the second detailing a bitter generational conflict between a disillusioned father and his idealistic son. Fearful, confused, and searching for the keys to emotional independence, young Rafe Trager flees to the sanctuary of Montreal where, amid a culture of hope and mixed messages, he embarks upon a sometimes harrowing journey of self-discovery. Along the way he learns how to conquer his fears, especially those inflicted by his father, while coming to grips with the larger issues that will define his life in the years to come. Ultimately, it is this promise of a hard-earned personal peace that drives Trager to the novel's strring conclusion.

"The Discovery of Luminous Being" brought back a lot of memories about one of my favorite cities, Montreal. Anthony Maulucci creates characters with magnetism. The book touches many facets of a young man's life, dealing with the young man's discovery of his own self and his conflict in making choices about his future.

Excellent work! The story has the quality of a Picasso line drawing. I enthusiastically recommend this novel.

Anthony Maulucci's first novel is packed with angst, romance and some sharply drawn characters. THE DISCOVERY OF LUMINOUS BEING follows a pivotal week in the life of young New Yorker Raphael Trager, who heads to Montreal in 1971 after his college graduation to confront his estranged artist father and ponder his future in light of the Vietnam draft. Things go poorly with his Bohemian dad, but he finds a balancing solace in the beauty and mystery of the city, and in the arms of a fetching young artist. His confusion over an impending draft notice colors all his adventures. Generally, THE DISCOVERY OF LUMINOUS BEING is an engrossing, well-crafted tale. Its greatest flaw might be Maulucci's tendency toward academic-speak, and o verindulgence in literary and Biblical references. "It's like Marcuse says, true freedom is spiritual," young Rafe snaps at one point. Some very fine, descriptive writing that increases with every page atones for this. Maulucci uses well-chosen details to handily sketch vivd characters, and superbly captures the unique, almost otherworldly charms of Montreal. After all, one can't help but empathize with young Rafe's turmoil. So much so that we want to find out how he resolves his dliemma. And that's pretty much the best thing you can say about any book.

Excellent work! The story has the quality of a Picasso line drawing. I enthusiastically recommend this novel.

An engrossing, well-crafted tale. Some very fine writing that increases with every page. Maulucci superbly captures the charms of Montreal.