Simple Machines

by Michael Bible

Simple Machines is a series of short, concrete sentences that have been collected, combined into one piece.


Praise for Simple Machines:
“Is Patty? Did Fred? You will never know. Let the sentence be your guide.”
Marvin K. Mooney, uncredited author of The Complete Works of Marvin K. Mooney

“It doesn’t matter what happens in fiction. Understanding this, Michael Bible has created an amazing document.”
Andy Devine, Author of Words

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Paperback & Audiobook

First published August 16, 2011

Reviews

[Always Becominging · Rating 3 out of 5]

A study of the simple sentence. Some sentences are humorous, ironic, and/or beautiful on their own. Others are interesting in their repetition, recursion, and interconnection. Some are just boring.

Roles in society seem to be a theme the text explores: a 'bus driver doesn't usually drive' and 'barbarians are peaceful'. Motifs of food, transport, and death emerge.

The isolation of each sentence opens them up for each reader to interpret them in whichever way they choose. The openness of the text will appeal to some and put others off. It is a quick read, I read most of it while walking to the library and the rest while there. I enjoyed it but doubt it will stick with me

[Joe]

It is a game like Clue or a clue generating algorithm stuck on broken. Put a knife and stabbing on the first page and we are willing to wade through infinite reams of information that move us further and further away from caring about motives or relations or whatever and into the reductions we can flame up with our eagerness---


"The liar promised her a delicious brunch.

That guard doesn't own a heavy sweater.

She doesn't have fancy shoes.

All he has is an empty cup.

I'm not dangerous.

He isn't skinny.

They are fat again.

Praying is boring.

The doctors think everything is interesting.

The paramedics worked quickly.

Rodney promised her he would not die.

Did Fred's wife help Bruce pay for the call girl."

FUN.

[Jeff Jackson]

Bible takes the structural innovations of David Markson's last few anti-novels and pushes that form even further. This slim book entirely consists of a series of concise sentences involving certain people: Mike mails a letter; Bryan is in love with Stan's wife; Virginia has some books. Occasionally the narrator appears: I wasn't living fast anymore; I didn't care last night; I drive home. The cohesion here comes from the subtle repetition of certain names, certain acts, the rhythms of the sentences, the appearance of "I."

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A weird little book. At first, I didn't think it was very interesting but then it started to develop a weird little funny and surprising rhythm. It's basically a bunch of random, short sentences, like: Ed laughs when she speaks German...The ninjas threw a ball...They are fat again...Richard owns a special fork. It's almost like one long dada poem.Some funny illustrations in the back too.

[DeWitt Brinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives one sentence to every person invented in the book which constitutes every line in the book. In that way, nothing discernible happens yet everyone involved is epitomized in an epigram expressed as gossip. It makes you feel like a beautiful quilt being knitted by a gaggle of older gals in the center of Twin Peaks.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Bible manages to make something really interesting out of a collection of sentences that read like an English primer. And the pictures are great.

[J.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

review forthcoming at Red Fez