The Double (Doppelangelganger): An Annotated Novel (Leaping Dog Press Book Series, Volume 4) [Paperback]

Greg Boyd (Author)

Book Description

Series: Leaping Dog Press Book Series, Volume 4 | Publication Date: October 1, 2002

In Greg Boyd's novel The Double, neither the protagonist nor his double can tell which one is the imposter and the fictions the protagonist reads seem more real than his own life. The novel proceeds through its mystery, while the protagonist, and the book itself, is taken over by interlocking fictions and fairy tales and photo collages and block prints that enter in footnotes and take about half of the book in the form of 14 appendices.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A rich, intriguing maze of a "novel," this work packs more literary punch than most books twice the heft. The central text is about Jeff, a factory worker, whose life unravels when the "other" Jeff sabotages his job, relationships, and even dreams. Boyd (Sacred Hearts) opens with a life-or-death struggle between them in a graveyard and circles back in the "end." This battle might seem like a metaphor for an id-superego conflict or even multiple-personality disorder, but it's actually more complicated than that-the "real" Jeff ends up fighting back, complicating the double's more exciting life and leading readers to question who the "real" Jeff is. Over half of the book consists of brilliant short stories, allegories, and fairy tales contained in 14 appendixes and 22 annotations. Each could stand alone, but all enhance both the main story and one another. Boyd's writing is by turns gritty, darkly humorous, ironic, and elegant. His nonlinear but utterly integrated approach should make this work particularly interesting in e-book form (ISBN 1-58775-008-2; $7.95). Highly recommended for sophisticated readers in all academic and most public libraries.
Jim Dwyer, California State Univ. Lib., Chico
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A rich, intriguing maze of a ‘novel,’ this work packs more literary punch than most books twice the heft. -- Library Journal, September 1, 2002

One of the most original, dizzyingly enjoyable rides in recent literature.... A radical achievement, deserving of a wide audience. -- Louis Owens

While I’ve slowed down and even moved backwards, this guy’s going forward beyond any place I’ve imagined. -- Stephen Dixon

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Leaping Dog Press; First Edition edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587750074
• ISBN-13: 978-1587750076
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,695,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Though I cannot claim to have been raised by wolves, the strangeness of my family life did contribute to the blend of humor and surrealism readers have found in my writing. Certainly anything is possible and stories happen all around us. Driving through the fog one morning years ago I found a toddler walking in the middle of the deserted road. Like many of my characters, I travel along the indistinct frontier between imagination and reality.

A visual artist as well as a writer, my web site is: http://www.gregboydcaveart.com

For more about my various projects, check the archives of my blog at: http://gregboydarts.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What To Think, November 19, 2003

By 

Stephen Haske (Savannah, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Double (Doppelangelganger): An Annotated Novel (Leaping Dog Press Book Series, Volume 4) (Paperback)

I judged this book interesting by the cover; call me prejudgist. I was not dissappointed at all. It took about two days to get through, and that was becasue I was slowed down from rereading some of the stories to my wife. I don't think this is a great book, but it was damn entertaining, and Greg Boyd a great writer with a great imagination. Forgive me, but he is like a modern Kafka and Grimm wrapped up in one, with a better sence of humor. The collages left a lot to be desired, not adding to the content at all.

I think that this would make a great movie. But obviously not a traditional film. I think of it as a DVD release, with the actually movie being the main Doppelangelganger story. Copies of the two books Jeff gets in the story would also come packaged with it. So we, the viewers could experience the same reading vs. reality (or is it?) Jeff experiences.