Temple of Cod by Adrienne Jones

[aurelio]

Temple of Cod
by Adrienne Jones

Reviewed by Aurelio O’Brien

It is not often I read a story that sticks with me so long, but Temple of Cod by Adrienne Jones continues to inhabit my thoughts these many weeks later. Perhaps being an artist myself, I have a particular affinity for Jones’s protagonist, Elliot, and his creative struggles, but I think any creative person will share my reaction to him, and what he goes through. Temple of Cod is creative angst turned inside-out, with artist and art physically conjoined.

Elliot’s girlfriend, Olivia, leaves him. She’s had enough. All he paints are boring seascapes, with lighthouses. His paintings reflect his creative repression and, as with most creative people, his art mirrors his soul. Elliot is torn apart by the break-up, but his repression wins out.

Or does it? Three weeks later, Elliot battles not simply demons of his mind, but manifest ones; weird creatures who cause actual bruises, who taunt him and keep him captive in his seaside home. Where did they come from? Why are they here, tormenting him? He’s certain he’s lost his mind. He calls and begs his best friend, Bobby, to come and rescue him from this surrealist nightmare.

The picture Jones paints truly is surreal: an aggressively grinning, talking horse-like monster, a muscular tattooed oaf with a bloom of tentacles where his legs ought to be, and a group of leggy cod-women, with their fish heads burbling out songs to taunt him. Elliot has to be insane. But, when Bobby arrives, Bobby sees them too. At this point I wonder if it is Jones who is insane. Where could she take this bizarre scenario that could possibly make any sense?

I can’t tell you here, because I don’t want to give away the clever weaving of Jones’s tale. Some things are best experienced first hand. And although her writing is wry, frightening, and a bit gory, don’t let that fool you; Jones explodes her artist, Elliot's brains wildly across the page, then deviously congeals them into a work of fine art. Temple of Cod is brilliant, cutting-edge fiction.

Having read both Gypsies Stole My Tequila and now, Temple of Cod, Adrienne Jones has climbed to the top of my list of authors to watch.

Here's the link:

Temple of Cod - ebook

[knivesout]

Sweet. This sounds interesting, and the excerpt posted elsewhere read well.

[Mark Robson]

I look forward to reading this.

[Circus Cranium]

Thanks guys, and thanks again Aurelio for such a great review. I'm glad you're not scared of me now. ha ha ha

[aurelio]

Well, maybe a little.

The review IS a rave, but you really impressed me, Cranium. You are a hell of a good writer.

[a|one]

Looks like I'm off to the library

[aurelio]

Hey, The Swamp agreed with me. Now, don't I feel smug!

The Swamp

[Circus Cranium]

Awe shuckums. Yeah, I've been pretty lucky with reviews. Aside from them mentioning my supposed insanity, they've all been very complimentary. TOC is holding steady at #13 on Fictionwise in the Dark Fantasy section. It's been fun, now I'm feeling more ambitious to write the sequel(s).