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Escape from the Kill Floor: Stumbling Towards the Dhamma
Based unflinchingly on his own life, Jeffrey Demaree’s Escape from the Kill Floor is a breathless journey of self-discovery. With dizzying globe-trotting adventures spanning four continents, the novel chronicles the repercussions of a love affair for the ages.
“My statement of intent was clear exceptionally difficult is not the same as impossible. True love always finds a way. We would find a way.”
Watching his father toil in one of Cincinnati’s last remaining slaughterhouses fueled the author’s wanderlust. After earning an academic scholarship, falling into the 90’s psychedelic scene, and surviving a suicide attempt, he found himself halfway around the world, inconsolably heartbroken. With no money, no return ticket home, and on an expired visa, he was in considerable trouble.
Brushes with hunger and death are accompanied by both inebriating successes and mortifying failures. Fortunes are gained and lost, wild love affairs initiated, and painful divorces endured. The author intentionally set out to experience as many of life’s experiences as possible and largely succeeded.
But did he escape? And what happens when he finally turns his attention towards finding peace and stability?
Organized like a CD box set, this memoir features music prominently throughout; instead of chapters, there are tracks, each one preceded by a Grateful Dead or Phish lyric. The Epilogue is guaranteed to make music fans everywhere smile.
* All profits from the sale of this publication will be donated, in their entirety, to a recognized non-profit organization.
“My statement of intent was clear exceptionally difficult is not the same as impossible. True love always finds a way. We would find a way.”
Watching his father toil in one of Cincinnati’s last remaining slaughterhouses fueled the author’s wanderlust. After earning an academic scholarship, falling into the 90’s psychedelic scene, and surviving a suicide attempt, he found himself halfway around the world, inconsolably heartbroken. With no money, no return ticket home, and on an expired visa, he was in considerable trouble.
Brushes with hunger and death are accompanied by both inebriating successes and mortifying failures. Fortunes are gained and lost, wild love affairs initiated, and painful divorces endured. The author intentionally set out to experience as many of life’s experiences as possible and largely succeeded.
But did he escape? And what happens when he finally turns his attention towards finding peace and stability?
Organized like a CD box set, this memoir features music prominently throughout; instead of chapters, there are tracks, each one preceded by a Grateful Dead or Phish lyric. The Epilogue is guaranteed to make music fans everywhere smile.
* All profits from the sale of this publication will be donated, in their entirety, to a recognized non-profit organization.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 27, 2024
This book was *incredibly* well written. I could not put it down; it is a true page turner. I devoured it in 5 days.
Jeffrey brings the reader not just BESIDE him on all of his journeys, but what is unique to his memoir from every other I’ve read - is he brings the reader WITHIN him on his journeys.
He is his own omniscient narrator.
We know his thoughts, his emotions, his highs and lows, strengths and weaknesses-his visceral humanity.
Jeffrey bring the reader along to experience every emotion WITH him *whist* keeping the story moving — using key moments to pause and add foreshadowing for suspense, or weave in a ‘character’ from the past we thought we’d never see again…
To read it this book is not just a read, it is an EXPERIENCE.
It’s wild.
It evokes every emotion in the reader.
There is not one section that is boring, or even slightly predictable.
So much heart.
Jeffrey brings the reader not just BESIDE him on all of his journeys, but what is unique to his memoir from every other I’ve read - is he brings the reader WITHIN him on his journeys.
He is his own omniscient narrator.
We know his thoughts, his emotions, his highs and lows, strengths and weaknesses-his visceral humanity.
Jeffrey bring the reader along to experience every emotion WITH him *whist* keeping the story moving — using key moments to pause and add foreshadowing for suspense, or weave in a ‘character’ from the past we thought we’d never see again…
To read it this book is not just a read, it is an EXPERIENCE.
It’s wild.
It evokes every emotion in the reader.
There is not one section that is boring, or even slightly predictable.
So much heart.
November 12, 2023
Engaging, insightful, purposeful, inspirational.
A life story, well-told and crafted into an engaging and insightful parable with purpose. As an (almost) lifelong friend of the author, I can vouch for the remarkable transformation inspiring this publication. It’s inspirational. - KJDE
A life story, well-told and crafted into an engaging and insightful parable with purpose. As an (almost) lifelong friend of the author, I can vouch for the remarkable transformation inspiring this publication. It’s inspirational. - KJDE
January 19, 2024
Jeffrey has written an engaging memoir that held my attention from beginning to end. I really appreciate the vulnerability in his writing, and how he was willing to lay his soul bare with his story to date. As a fellow Midwesterner, I could relate to much of his upbringing. I highly recommend reading about the author's journey, and his road to peace. It's relatable to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews