In the intersection of the 15th and 16th centuries, a Dwarf (Big "D" to show respect) goes from the mean streets of Rome to walk with the giants of that world. Madsen remarkably gives us a tour of Europe, Italy, Rome, the Vatican, the papacy, Gnosticism, side-shows, sex, gore and love - always love. The Inquisition is in bloom and heretics are treated in ways that are described in detail, with questioning normal Christian or Roman Catholic beliefs as well as intimate descriptions of sex or be exposed to visceral scenes. The book is very well written and flows smoothly.
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About the Author
David Madsen is the pseudonym of a philosopher, theologian, therapist and author who has always had a special interest in the esoteric, the oblique and the heterodox byways of the human psyche. His first novel, Memoirs of a Gnostic Dwarf, partially sprang from Madsen's enthusiasm for Gnosticism, which he had the opportunity of studying in Rome for several years; Memoirs won great critical acclaim and has been translated into eleven languages. It was followed by Confessions of a Flesh-Eater, Confessions of a Flesh-Eater Cookbook and, most recently, A Box of Dreams, all published by Dedalus Books. He has also collaborated on film scripts. David Madsen has been interviewed by several well-known periodicals and literary magazines, including The New Statesman, Spoiled Ink and Venue; he has also been the subject of articles and interviews in newspapers and journals from countries as diverse as Lithuania and Brazil.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazingly Medieval,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Memoirs of a Gnostic Dwarf: Contemporary English Language (Paperback)
In the intersection of the 15th and 16th centuries, a Dwarf (Big "D" to show respect) goes from the mean streets of Rome to walk with the giants of that world. Madsen remarkably gives us a tour of Europe, Italy, Rome, the Vatican, the papacy, Gnosticism, side-shows, sex, gore and love - always love.
There is no product description here or on the book. There isn't one at the publisher's site either - but they do have several reviews posted there (dedalusbooks). I won't copy from the reviews of others, so do read those. The Inquisition is in bloom and heretics are treated in ways that are described in detail. If you do not like questioning normal Christian or Roman Catholic beliefs - you will not like this book. If you do not want to read intimate descriptions of sex or be exposed to visceral scenes, then run from this one. Madsen has put together the darnedest bunch of characters I've ever seen combined into one book. The depth to which he takes us into their lives and world is amazing. I was further amazed by the characters I was rooting for and those I was disliking immensely. Given the setting, time period and subject, it is obligatory that we meet certain famous artists; certain famous folks of religious history and those intimately involved in the machinations of the powerful of that age. The book is filled with dark humor, and I absolutely refuse to reveal the passages that had me laughing out loud (and there were many). The book is very well written and flows smoothly. Though some of the subject matter is shocking, Madsen does not resort to excess drama. All is told, with great results, in straightforward style. The subject matter is deep (when it's not being so very shallow); revealing (when it's not kept under the covers); and tawdry (but only in the most disrespectful manner). Why this has not come to the attention of the reading world is beyond me. If any of what I've told seems of interest, then buy and read this. It's a 'serious hoot'. How's that for a combination? The author has three other books in print from Dedalusbooks and offered by Amazon - and I ordered them: 'A Box of Dreams'; 'Confessions of a Flesh-eater'; and Orlando Crispe's Flesh-eater's Cookbook'. Since there are only 3, I'll space out the reading of them, but they will be read! (Unconfirmed: David Madsen is pseudonym of a theologian & philosopher whose work has been translated into 12 languages.)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brillant work.,
By Skip Emerson (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Memoirs of a Gnostic Dwarf: Contemporary English Language (Paperback)
What a wonderful if at times grosteque novel. About a hunchback Gnostic Dawrf who is a servant to Leo X in the late 1400 into the 1500. Deals with Gnostic philosphy, The Inquisition, Martin Luther, and deranged sex, both straight and gay. Very good read and I'm hoping for more in Cofessions of a Flesh Eater. Read it you'll love it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The funky 1500's,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Memoirs of a Gnostic Dwarf: Contemporary English Language (Paperback)
Great read- bawdy, perverse, vivid, bloody, scatological, Gnostic, an Italian Renaissance "Nightmare Alley", freaks, cruelty, and Vatican politics. What more could a reader want? I admire the author's efforts at creating a plausible underground Gnostic faith. The conclusion however left me unsatisfied being a forced "beauty & the beast" symbolism which simply does not mesh with the gnostic nihilism of the rest of the novel.
After reading this you will understand the history as to why Italy changes governments more frequently than any nation in the West.
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Inside This Book
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3
books
cite this book:
- Confessions of a Flesh Eaters: Dedalus Original Fiction in Paperback Ser. by David Madsen in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Front Matter (3)
- The Decadent Cookbook: Recipes of Obsession and Excess by Medlar Lucan in Front Matter, page 45, and page 50
- The Zero Train by Yuri Buida in Back Matter
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