100 Chambers

by D.M. Mitchell

One Hundred Chambers are laid out in a perplexing sequence. Each chamber contains an enigmatic tableau that hovers at the edge of comprehension. What do they mean and where does the labyrinth lead? "A mixture of Borgesian allusion and stilted prose a la Robbe-Grillet aimed at drawing the reader in, only to repel them at the next step, like a prolonged psychic strip-tease act that always hovers at the threshold of some promised revelation that never seems to arrive." (Chikuma Ashida - author of 'Maddening Sun')

186 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2022

Reviews

[Emberwrought · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting concept with plenty of food for thought. The text at points serves more as a document or diary though it shifts to a more poignant, philosophical narrative once the protagonist illustrates the scene. Each chapter corresponds to each of the titular '100 Chambers' and is an interesting setting wherein the anxiety-inducing weirdness of these spaces intensifies with the succession of each one.
At points I found myself exhausted with the descriptions, with the measurements and setting descriptions provided by the narrator but, upon reflection, found it served a strong purpose in luring the reader into the seeming rationality of the experience, the monotony of the seemingly objective reality only to twist and warp all sense of rationality once the room is laid bare and whatever resides there is unveiled somewhat.
In conclusion, the book is an enigma that most definitely requires examination and re-reading to fully appreciate what is no doubt a truly unique and original experience.