Above the Universe Below

by Elias Barton

An agoraphobic artist in our world but a grim reaper in another, Carder Quevedo hides at home, immersing himself in the paintings which commemorate the strange deaths he's witnessed. He ventures into public only when necessary, scrambling to his hospital job to extract corneas from deceased donors or darting to the diner to share a meal with Darren, his only friend. That's Carder's existence - and he's content.

Until...

Haika changes that. As the bored, beautiful owner of an art gallery - who also happens to be married - she stumbles into Carder in a chance encounter and soon becomes obsessed with his art. As they forge a quirky, electric relationship, Carder is reluctantly pulled into Haika's social world of wealth, status and the peculiar characters that come with it. Carder is pushed further to the edge when his teenage niece visits, rebelling against her ultra-conservative upbringing. All the while, Carder's hidden history threatens to ruin his developing chance at normalcy, and on the opening night of his art gallery show, his past finally catches up to his present.

332 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2012

Reviews

[wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its just your typical book about an agoraphobic artist whose unique and troubling creations are used to make the most popular line of grotesque plastic doggie toys. Say pound puppies seen on an LSD trip. The protagonist's day job is harvesting eyeballs at local hospitals. The book is in a sense about him starting to cope with the real world and all the wild and crazy people he meets along the way. The title Above the Universe Below refers to the fact that as a child he was kept in a basement and had surrealistic dreams which later he morphs into his art. (That is the below.) The above is his journey into the real world outside of his fantasies or at least that is how I interpret it. Why 5 stars? This book is really well written with some fantastic imagery that I will never forget. I wrote down page numbers as I read it so I could tell my friends some of his lines. If you like art, creativity and good writing I would read this book.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

This book was a fantastic ride through the mind and memories of an artist. Encompassing his day job, his view on the world around him and memories of childhood that remain with a surrealistic edge; Dali and Chagall meet the prose of a poetic heart.

I was personally disinclined to see Carder in a sympathetic light. As I started the book, although beautifully and rhythmically written, he felt like the stereotypic emo artist – rather pretentious and hemmed in by their own self-import. What was quickly revealed was Carder’s shyness and the reasons that define his behavior, and label him ”weird”.

What emerges as the story progresses is all of the influences, real and imagined that Carder draws from to exist, to create and even to amuse himself. The words are put together with a near melodic pattern: from the moments of rhyming from sentence to sentence, to long and rather staccato beats, the words seem to want to be read in a rhythm of their own creation. What I found interesting is that Carder, by his own admission, spends too much time alone, painting with only Rachmaninoff for company. Somehow, that music has translated to the page, words wanting to be sung in my head with specific rhythm and meter.

A testament to those “weird but gentle” souls that walk among us, this book opens a new way of looking at the world and how those impressions can create beauty, even if only in a metaphor. The writing is beautiful and lyrical, with characters that are deftly and clearly drawn. What the author has cleverly managed to do is incorporate meaning and longing, with the little annoyances of life into a story contained but not constrained within its pages. Anyone who has ever felt alone in a crowded room will find this book calls to them and favorite lines appear unbidden, making the story live on long after the last page is complete.

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Above the Universe Below' is a dark fantasy novel that follows the main character, Carder, through his strange personal life in New York City as well as the dark universe he is able to travel to in his mind. Carder has tried his whole life to keep his two worlds as far apart as he can, but deep down he fears that one day they will come crashing together with devastating results.

I was intrigued by the description and premise of this novel, and I'm really glad to say that it surpassed all of my expectations. At once odd and unique, yet beautifully written with wry humor thrown into the mix - I was immediately entranced in its pages. I have never come across a novel like this one before, and I'm actually at somewhat of a loss on how to describe it. It is extremely well written - with striking descriptions and astonishingly enthralling prose. It isn't a book that you quickly read through and forget, but one that you meander through at leisure, soaking up every bit of literary pleasure. The plot is unlike anything else out there and is definitely on the dark and quirky side. I fell in love with everything about this book - from the characters and setting to the enchanting narrative and curious plot. I will be thinking of this novel for a long time to come. I highly recommend it for readers who want a break from normalcy and everyday reality.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tommie-Ann Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like the author, Elias Barton, Above The Universe Below marches to the beat of its own drum and does so without apology. The author thoughtfully brings you through the world of the fantastic and as you experience love, art, lust, disappointment, pleasure, loathing and even heart-break with such conviction, you forget it is Carder's Universe you are traveling through and not your own. If you wake up after reading Above The Universe Below with a new-found longing for creative perspective, compassion and acceptance in life, do not be surprised!

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story, but I feel that is wandered to long to get where it was going. Then again, it really leant to the main characters sense of not knowing what direction to even start in I suppose.

[Peggy Walker · Rating 1 out of 5]

I congratulate muddyboy who liked this book so much. It was just too strange for me. I gave up....and I never do that.

[Kim Schafstall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Kindle freebie. Stay tuned...

[Trina]

I didn't mean to add this, I have not read it and I would like to.