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'Involution & Evolution': A rhyming anti-war novel
'Involution & Evolution' is a story about understanding overcoming compulsion, love overcoming revulsion, and oneness overcoming abuse. A story about the rare sort of kind geniality, and brave morality, which we all possess but seldom use.
A story about a World War One conscientious objector named Alfred Freeman, who does all that he can, to oppose the war and stand for peace. He performs good deeds, helps people with needs, and disobeys his nation's police.
But the warmakers hit back with acts of persecution, and threats of execution, which leave Alfred writhing in pain. Will he survive? Will he stay alive? Or will his efforts be in vain?
'Involution & Evolution' is full of rhythm and full of rhyme, with a message which echoes through time, and will get inside your head. A scathing critique of modern warfare, with spiritual vigour and poetic flair, it is a novel which needs to be read.
A story about a World War One conscientious objector named Alfred Freeman, who does all that he can, to oppose the war and stand for peace. He performs good deeds, helps people with needs, and disobeys his nation's police.
But the warmakers hit back with acts of persecution, and threats of execution, which leave Alfred writhing in pain. Will he survive? Will he stay alive? Or will his efforts be in vain?
'Involution & Evolution' is full of rhythm and full of rhyme, with a message which echoes through time, and will get inside your head. A scathing critique of modern warfare, with spiritual vigour and poetic flair, it is a novel which needs to be read.
315 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2014
22 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Joss Sheldon
9 books183 followersJoss Sheldon is a scruffy nomad, unchained free-thinker, and post-modernist radical. Born in 1982, he was raised in one of the anonymous suburbs that wrap themselves around London's beating heart. Then he escaped!
With a degree from the London School of Economics to his name, Sheldon had spells selling falafel at music festivals, being a ski-bum, and failing to turn the English Midlands into a haven of rugby league.
Then, in 2013, he stumbled upon McLeod Ganj; an Indian village which is home to thousands of angry monkeys, hundreds of Tibetan refugees, and the Dalai Lama himself. It was there that Sheldon wrote his debut novel, 'Involution & Evolution'.
Eleven years down the line, he's penned eight titles in total, including two works of non-fiction: "DEMOCRACY: A User's Guide", and his latest release, "FREEDOM: The Case For Open Borders".
With a degree from the London School of Economics to his name, Sheldon had spells selling falafel at music festivals, being a ski-bum, and failing to turn the English Midlands into a haven of rugby league.
Then, in 2013, he stumbled upon McLeod Ganj; an Indian village which is home to thousands of angry monkeys, hundreds of Tibetan refugees, and the Dalai Lama himself. It was there that Sheldon wrote his debut novel, 'Involution & Evolution'.
Eleven years down the line, he's penned eight titles in total, including two works of non-fiction: "DEMOCRACY: A User's Guide", and his latest release, "FREEDOM: The Case For Open Borders".
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 7, 2023
I really wanted to like this book. An updated telling of the story of Jesus or the Buddha is right up my alley, as is an allegory about imperialism. And of course it would be great to finally read a good novel length poem. Good ones are so hard to come by.
Not everyone will find fault with this book. But to me the challenge of the form hasn't been met by this version of "Involution". My two biggest complaints are, simply that this poem is too long, with too many unnecessary words intervening between distantly spaced plot points. The excess of words dilutes the natural power of poetry. Secondly, the poetry itself leaves much to be desired. It's a hard medium, absolutely, and failure is so much more likely than success... all you have to do to verify this is look at all the horrible short and long poems in the last 200 years of published English lit. But alas, this is another bark that has found the rocks.
When I read this, I thought I could see a good piece awaiting one more ruthlessly word-cutting draft. As poetry, the number of lines have got to be chopped down to just what is absolutely necessary. Not one line more. As I read this I kept wishing it was Cummings' "I sing of Olaf." Also, for my tastes, the infantile patter of the "Mother Mary" character and the Jesus character continues too far past the central character's infancy. Alfred should grow up much faster, or at least grow out of baby talk sooner (even if it might serve the plot for his mother to be frozen at that emotional level). A couple other complaints... If this was my poem, I would go through it with a word search and just wipe out all the recurring and annoying "this"s and "these"s. Lastly, the recurring use of triples to end various stanzas ("please, please, please") just drove me nuts.
I really think this is a story worth telling, and the author shouldn't abandon it. But a murderous edit is needed. Excessive descriptions, if they are retained, should only survive to lead to a punch line (ala Pushkin).
One other thought... could this story be modernized beyond the dead theme of British Imperialism? War itself is the proper target of a poem like this, and I do think that was the author's intention. But the excuses made by Mom, teacher, etc for imperialism could and perhaps should be updated to the modern excuses espoused by war apologists and states. As updated, a new version might ask a more relevant question: what would Alfred's (Jesus') obligation as a Conscientious Objector be in the face of such modern evils as ISIL or even the Khmer Rouge? Assuming Jesus isn't a crusader, and assuming he has enough impatience with sin to overturn money tables at the temple, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO in the face of a genocidal movement? For that matter, what would the Buddha do, and would pacifism be the correct response?
Sheldon has his moments as a poet and story teller. I'd like to see ten intense pages as the start of a new draft of this story... and then maybe 60 more if the intensity can be sustained. And maybe he could start in the middle, again availing himself of a technique from the most successful practitioners of this form.
Not everyone will find fault with this book. But to me the challenge of the form hasn't been met by this version of "Involution". My two biggest complaints are, simply that this poem is too long, with too many unnecessary words intervening between distantly spaced plot points. The excess of words dilutes the natural power of poetry. Secondly, the poetry itself leaves much to be desired. It's a hard medium, absolutely, and failure is so much more likely than success... all you have to do to verify this is look at all the horrible short and long poems in the last 200 years of published English lit. But alas, this is another bark that has found the rocks.
When I read this, I thought I could see a good piece awaiting one more ruthlessly word-cutting draft. As poetry, the number of lines have got to be chopped down to just what is absolutely necessary. Not one line more. As I read this I kept wishing it was Cummings' "I sing of Olaf." Also, for my tastes, the infantile patter of the "Mother Mary" character and the Jesus character continues too far past the central character's infancy. Alfred should grow up much faster, or at least grow out of baby talk sooner (even if it might serve the plot for his mother to be frozen at that emotional level). A couple other complaints... If this was my poem, I would go through it with a word search and just wipe out all the recurring and annoying "this"s and "these"s. Lastly, the recurring use of triples to end various stanzas ("please, please, please") just drove me nuts.
I really think this is a story worth telling, and the author shouldn't abandon it. But a murderous edit is needed. Excessive descriptions, if they are retained, should only survive to lead to a punch line (ala Pushkin).
One other thought... could this story be modernized beyond the dead theme of British Imperialism? War itself is the proper target of a poem like this, and I do think that was the author's intention. But the excuses made by Mom, teacher, etc for imperialism could and perhaps should be updated to the modern excuses espoused by war apologists and states. As updated, a new version might ask a more relevant question: what would Alfred's (Jesus') obligation as a Conscientious Objector be in the face of such modern evils as ISIL or even the Khmer Rouge? Assuming Jesus isn't a crusader, and assuming he has enough impatience with sin to overturn money tables at the temple, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO in the face of a genocidal movement? For that matter, what would the Buddha do, and would pacifism be the correct response?
Sheldon has his moments as a poet and story teller. I'd like to see ten intense pages as the start of a new draft of this story... and then maybe 60 more if the intensity can be sustained. And maybe he could start in the middle, again availing himself of a technique from the most successful practitioners of this form.
August 31, 2014
This is a beautiful rhythmic work that flows magnificently across the pages telling the story of Albert Freeman, a peace loving man who lost his father to war. Albert becomes a conscientious objector which puts him at odds against his own government who will use any means of coercion and punishment to turn him into a model citizen ready to go to war in the name of his country. "Involution" embraces peace gorgeously and tears away at the war machine which would enslave us all. Wonderful work!
August 31, 2019
Wonderful work
I have now read all of Joss Sheldon’s books and feel like I am a better person s for it. Involution & Evolution is a very powerful, thought provoking book. The writing style for a novel was unique and, for me, enjoyable. The biblical references were very well incorporated and not overdone. A wonderful example of true craftsmanship os a talented author.
I have now read all of Joss Sheldon’s books and feel like I am a better person s for it. Involution & Evolution is a very powerful, thought provoking book. The writing style for a novel was unique and, for me, enjoyable. The biblical references were very well incorporated and not overdone. A wonderful example of true craftsmanship os a talented author.
September 11, 2014
I'm not one for buying books online but after reading reading Sheldon's summary, which was very touching by the way, I just couldn't help buying it. I order paperback instead of kindle as you can't beat feeling the pages of fantastic book. Involution & Evolution is beautifully story, with the author using rhyme to tell this very true to life story. I think a lot of people can relate to the unfortunate powers of war and what it does to a nation. Alfred Freeman, an objector to the WW1, is a very inspiring character who will not let these ' powers' get the better of him. From helping people to standing up for what he believes in, you really can't hell but love this beautifully brave character. I'm sure and I hope there are more Alfred's out there
This story really touched me and made me look at the current wars in a different light. Just sad I finished it. My son is half way through the book and absolutely loving it. The story isn't just your usual story, it's a story that raises an awareness. An awareness of ourselves and standing up for what we believe in and not giving in because the ' big men ' tell us too.
Very happy with my purchase and it arrived in perfect condition.
This story really touched me and made me look at the current wars in a different light. Just sad I finished it. My son is half way through the book and absolutely loving it. The story isn't just your usual story, it's a story that raises an awareness. An awareness of ourselves and standing up for what we believe in and not giving in because the ' big men ' tell us too.
Very happy with my purchase and it arrived in perfect condition.
June 2, 2015
I received this book as a Good Reads Giveaway. I didn't know what to expect when I began reading it, but I was instantly hooked once I started. The rhyming makes it quick paced and rhythmic. Its essentially a long poem. I liked this style it's unlike anything I've read before. This book made me question everything I've ever thought about war and it seemed to me like the author took my very thoughts and turned them into a coherent piece of writing. I assume the story is based on fact and therefore I am appalled that so many people who wanted peace were treated in this way. This book makes you think. This book needs to be read, a lot can be learned from this story. I know I will read this book again and each time I do, I will take something new from it.
December 20, 2015
Well written. I am still thinking after reading the book that how people can sacrifice their life and comfortable life to established peach for mankind as well as for the welfare the common people. I really enjoyed so much when I read it. That is a great book for me. I believe that you will be enjoy this book.
October 30, 2014
Its an intresting book! The rhyming makes it quick paced and rhythmic. I havent read other book in that type, but it was really good. I recommend it to anyone want to read a nice book which critisise the war.
April 28, 2025
Fantastic book!
Joss Sheldon has not disappointed me yet.Such a great author.
Every book is thought provoking and original.He is like a Modern day George Orwell.
I would highly recommend it.
Joss Sheldon has not disappointed me yet.Such a great author.
Every book is thought provoking and original.He is like a Modern day George Orwell.
I would highly recommend it.
September 25, 2014
Involution got some rhyme, which makes me feel fine; and really hunky-dory.
I really like this book, I suggest you take a look; at this super-duper story!
It frees Jesus from religion, on the cover is a pigeon; and at times it does get gory.
It criticises war, like never before; with a peaceful sort of glory!
I really like this book, I suggest you take a look; at this super-duper story!
It frees Jesus from religion, on the cover is a pigeon; and at times it does get gory.
It criticises war, like never before; with a peaceful sort of glory!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews