Full Asylum

by Michael Isenberg

"A rollicking celebration of excellence - SHOULD BE A MOVIE! It has everything! Stunning women, including an over-the-top awesome female co-star; fast cars; technology; chases galore; comic foils; and action and romance. Isenberg writes with imagination and intelligence." – Kia Heavey, Author, Night Machines. The economy has crashed (again), the Nanny State is out of control, and software engineer Gimbel O’Hare just wants to do his job. Not easy, given that his boss is out to get him, the Department of Justice has him under surveillance, and one of his co-workers is suing him for sexual harassment. Overstressed, he finds refuge in the movies of Jon Dunn, Secret Agent Beta-11. He soon becomes convinced that he is Jon Dunn, and sets off on an off-the-wall journey around metro-Washington, from the ruins of a once fashionable mall, to a psychiatric ward in a military hospital, to the office of the Attorney General of the United States. With the help of redheaded amazon Cheri Tarte (“the perfect combination of sweet and tangy”), Gimbel is on the trail of a dangerous – and possibly imaginary – conspiracy to steal a presidential election and fundamentally transform America.

377 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2012

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most original books I have ever read. The story is complex but not hard to follow. The characters are unique and defy description. I want to call it a dystopian novel but that really doesn't give it justice. The dystopian part is certainly a theme but the book gives us so much more. The book is funny, parts are tragic and a little romance is carefully crafted with a love scene that is, well, read it. It's really amazing.

[Philippe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tries too hard

I was hoping for something entertaining, this felt geared to YA. Some elements were funny, but overall I found the book depressing. Others might enjoy the writing style.

[Kia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Isenberg's Full Asylum is a delight. It's a non-stop adventure that is satirical and hilarious yet somehow also contains the finest love scene I've read in years. The protagonist, Gimbel O'Hare, suffers from an irrepressible urge to live his life fully and to the best of his ability. He is a computer programmer and a damn good one, and he just wants to do his job. Should be simple enough, no? Not in the world of stifling cultural and bureaucratic mediocrity! Frustrated, O'Hare finds inspiration in John Dunn (thinly disguised James Bond) films. Inspired by the superspy's high-octane dedication to fighting the good fight, O'Hare remains doggedly, flamboyantly true to himself. Needless to say, he racks up enemies - women, his co-workers, his boss, and the Federal Government, to name a few.

Isenberg's literary style is highly visual. I could see everything clearly as it happened. On countless occasions, I wished someone would make this book into a movie. It has everything! Stunning women, including an over-the-top awesome female co-star; fast cars; technology; chases galore; comic foils; and action and romance. Isenberg writes with imagination and intelligence. He champions excellence in this highly entertaining tale, a treat for anyone who smiled at the end of The Incredibles or The Fountainhead. And Isenberg also did his due diligence; Full Asylum is impeccably researched and edited. Can't recommend it highly enough! Read it before it's cool - this book will be huge.