Plato's Cave

by Russell Proctor

Just past actuality and third universe on the left...Emily Branwell wakes up one morning with a hangover and finds her horoscope is astoundingly accurate, sausages keep appearing out of nowhere all around her, and she can walk through walls. That is confusing enough, but when a huge, threatening shadow appears in the sky, Emily must solve the riddle of her rapidly disintegrating world before reality itself collapses. In her quest for answers, Emily seeks the help of both psychics and scientists, but finds that ultimately the truth lies far beyond the world anyone knows.Maybe next time she’ll count her drinks.Plato’s Cave takes a humorous look at humanity’s search for truth and the meaning of existence through the eyes of someone who wishes the universe would just stop bothering her. Russell Proctor is the author of Days of Iron, also available on Amazon Kindle.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2011

About the author

Russell Proctor is an Australian writer, but has also been many other things in his working life, including a lawyer, teacher, professional actor, medical project manager and even a pizza delivery boy.

At present he is semi-retired, tutoring school and university students in the evenings and writing during the day.

His interests include hiking, astronomy and cats. He has travelled extensively throughout the world, preferring out of the way places to modern civilization, for example having visited Antarctica, walked the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. He does not describe himself as a thrill-seeker, but certainly prefers his travels to include adventures
rather than just “tourist traps”.

A skeptic and futurist, Proctor has examined the methods and ideas of science and pseudo-science in his novel Plato’s Cave, which satirizes humanity’s endless quest for meaning in life and conflicting beliefs about the nature of reality.

His professional acting days included working in film, TV and stage productions. He has also written and directed plays and musicals. He is currently working on a horror/fantasy series for Permuted Press, of which The Red King is the first part. Further information about him and his work can be found at his website, www.russellproctor.com.

Reviews

[Y.K. Willemse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a really fantastic read. I'm a Christian, but even though I didn't agree with all of it, I "got it" in the sense that the author's sentiments were all well conveyed, emotive, and engaging. The book was, really, everything I love in humourous writing - it was sassy, quirky, and at times completely random. The characters were all colourful, and the writing was simple in a way that enhanced the amusement. Too many people doll up a joke, and then it's no longer funny. A good joke relies on simple spontaneity, and that's what this book did so well. A very enjoyable read - a bit like an ASDF movie translated into prose.

[Theresa Pollara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free in a book giveaway. And I am glad I did! This book was a fun read. I enjoyed watching the main character degenerate as she faced odd event after odd event. Before you read this book, you may want to read up on Plato's cave allegory. This ancient example is heavily eluded to in the book. If you don't care about that, the book is just as enjoyable as a story of an average life interrupted by extraordinary events. Spoiler alert: I'm getting rid of my houseplants.

[G.S. Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty and Intelligent: This is an excellent, highly imaginative story you can just read and enjoy. You could also read it again and again and delve deeper into Plato, I suspect. I liked the witty, irreverent style of storytelling the author used, even apologetic about getting too philosophical or scientific in places. It kept things light and enjoyable and kept the story powering along. Terrific characters, especially the heroine. The sausages... classic!!

[Leah Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite imaginative and clever. Funny one liners and a great plot with good, round characters. I finished this one in one sitting and then struggled to find my next book to read because I knew that the plot wouldn't be as clever.
Nicely done Russell!

[Tom Middlecoat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more books like this, it's not quite bizzaro fiction but it's one of the books that push me into the genre of really weird fiction.