Iris

by Norman Crane

Iris is an epic science fiction book about love. It's not written by a best-selling author and it hasn't topped any charts. But the reason for that is simple: this Goodreads page doesn't exist yet.

If you can read this do not hit F5.

Listen to me. The next decade is going to be an exciting and hopeful time. You'll witness the birth of the eighth billion human on Earth and live through the revelation of Kurt Schwaller's theory of everything. It's important that you enjoy it, because in 2025 everything will change. I know. I lived through it. My friend Bakshi likes to say that we're locked into a single future. Iris used to say that no one can take away the past. I wish I knew what you looked like. I wish I knew then what I know now. But if Bakshi's right, at least you'll be prepared. You still have time. Between now and March 27, 2025, they'll try to tell you that a hundred different things are the most important. They'll be wrong. Live, love and imagine. And, if you happen to meet Iris, go ahead ask her about the theory. She'll blow your mind, too.

Hit F5.

Hit F5.

Hit F5.

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2014

About the author

I live in Canada. I write books. I'm also a historian, a wise guy and a cinephile. When I'm not writing, I'm probably reading or trying to cook. Philip Dick, Haruki Murakami and Graham Greene are some of my favourite authors. I enjoy fiction that makes me curious because curiosity makes me creative. I peer under mossy rocks, knock on hollow trees and believe in hidden passageways—not because I have proof of their existence, but because imagining them is itself the reward. I like non-fiction for the same reason. I also like computers, text editors and mechanical keyboards.

[Norman Crane thinks the third person is pretentious.]

Reviews

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounding up. There was a post-apocalyptic setting requirement on a recent reading challenge, and I somehow stumbled across this story. It's very much got a "What HAPPENED?" vibe about it, but I think that's the point. The middle bit is the interesting part, which is most of it, but I didn't truly get the connection to the earlier conversation with Iris (named after a part of the eye, but diagnosed with a degenerative disease that would end in her blindness).

Since it was free, I took this for the thought experiment with a touch of mind fuckery that I think it is intended to be.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morality and Humanity

This book could not have shown up on my to read list at a more perfect time. This story is so many things all bundled together, but most importantly it is a story that bridges the gap between our modern problems and things far bigger and grander than us. From a common sadness many face that evolves suddenly into an immense joy and in the blink of an eye into a horrid nightmare, this has encompassed the world around me and paralleled in a sense issues my nation faces in a couple months. After the nightmare there is desperation, despair and depression. One idea, one memory sparks a shinning glimmer of hope a memory of morality and growing eyes. It is true that if we do not love, are not kind, do not stick together, we root, harden and darken which culminates into hatred. The only combat to hatred is togetherness, love and kindness.
Yet another beautiful story from an incredibly talented writer, a true master of the craft.

[curiouskat_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I was really enjoying the strange story being presented, but the end was horrendous. It had so much potential and I was let down. The end was not one that gave answers nor in a way did it feel as if it was being left on a cliff hanger (it was as if the author just stopped the story half way through). In all honestly it just seemed like nonsense that took away from a very promising story.

[Trisha Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read..... At first. I like how unpredictable it was and what happens at the hospital was different. But then the ending came and it lost me. I was hoping for something different I guess.