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The Ship of Theseus
Pablo Navarre is New York’s hottest young artist and sculptor, riding a wave of fame and fortune. But as the pressures to stay on top collide with an obsessive pursuit of perfection, his world — and his grip on reality — slowly begin to unravel.
A radical experiment in digital storytelling
Just as Pablo chases perfection in his artwork, the novel itself will likewise continue to be refined and reimagined over time. Every few months, a new, free update will take the place of the last. Plot points may change, characters may come and go, the very form and structure altered and experimented upon. Each version is designed to stand alone, yet together they form a living, breathing work — gradually transforming into something completely different from where it all began.
Once the book is updated, there is no going back. No archive, no print copy. If you are satisfied with it, you can keep the latest version forever and bring the story to a close for good. But if you’re still searching for something more, you can keep moving forward. The choice is yours.
A radical experiment in digital storytelling
Just as Pablo chases perfection in his artwork, the novel itself will likewise continue to be refined and reimagined over time. Every few months, a new, free update will take the place of the last. Plot points may change, characters may come and go, the very form and structure altered and experimented upon. Each version is designed to stand alone, yet together they form a living, breathing work — gradually transforming into something completely different from where it all began.
Once the book is updated, there is no going back. No archive, no print copy. If you are satisfied with it, you can keep the latest version forever and bring the story to a close for good. But if you’re still searching for something more, you can keep moving forward. The choice is yours.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2025
11 people are currently reading
1432 people want to read
About the author
Garry Harper
3 books80 followersGarry Harper is a New York-based writer and creative director known for blending lyrical storytelling with provocative satirical themes. His latest novel, The Ship of Theseus, was released in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 29, 2025
Another great story by Mr. Garry Harper.
This story follows a famous sculptor named Pablo Navarre.
As we read, it is as though we are a fly on the wall following Pablo through his days and nights.
It becomes obvious early on that Pablo is dissatisfied with the life he has and the trappings he has to deal with.
His business partner, John Christopher, tries to encourage Pablo to finish the latest pieces because that means more sales and money.
Pablo's other friend is a rich coke head named Lazlo. His dealer will deliver his drugs to his office and is on-call 24/7. He gets Pablo to bar hop and go on benders with him. As well as some situations that Pablo would rather not feel right about.
Pablo is married to the long-suffering Jeannette. She rarely knows when he will be home or what type of mood he will be in.
She would get him to go to shows by different artists, even the ones he doesn't like.
We watch as Pablo slowly unravels, and he hates his chosen life.
Jeannette talks Pablo into flying to Paris to relax and decide what to do next.
At this point, Pablo's life has, well, you'll need to read the book to see.
Mr. Harper has another winner on his hands. So I thank him for the gift of this book and Goodreads for introducing me to Mr. Harper's books.
This story follows a famous sculptor named Pablo Navarre.
As we read, it is as though we are a fly on the wall following Pablo through his days and nights.
It becomes obvious early on that Pablo is dissatisfied with the life he has and the trappings he has to deal with.
His business partner, John Christopher, tries to encourage Pablo to finish the latest pieces because that means more sales and money.
Pablo's other friend is a rich coke head named Lazlo. His dealer will deliver his drugs to his office and is on-call 24/7. He gets Pablo to bar hop and go on benders with him. As well as some situations that Pablo would rather not feel right about.
Pablo is married to the long-suffering Jeannette. She rarely knows when he will be home or what type of mood he will be in.
She would get him to go to shows by different artists, even the ones he doesn't like.
We watch as Pablo slowly unravels, and he hates his chosen life.
Jeannette talks Pablo into flying to Paris to relax and decide what to do next.
At this point, Pablo's life has, well, you'll need to read the book to see.
Mr. Harper has another winner on his hands. So I thank him for the gift of this book and Goodreads for introducing me to Mr. Harper's books.
October 23, 2025
Thanks to Garry Harper for the opportunity to read The Ship of Theseus (I read Version 0.1).
From projecttheseus.com:
“Just as Pablo chases perfection in his artwork, the novel itself will likewise continue to be refined and reimagined over time. Every few months, a new, free update will take the place of the last. Plot points may change, characters may come and go, the very form and structure altered and experimented upon. Each version is designed to stand alone, yet together they form a living, breathing work — gradually transforming into something completely different from where it all began.”
It’s a fascinating premise, though not what first drew me in. When I came across The Ship of Theseus, I completely missed its “evolution” aspect—I likely entered the giveaway because I’m a sucker for novels about artists, especially those on the verge of unraveling. I was very happy to win the free e-book :)
First off, Harper assumes the reader is familiar with the ancient thought experiment that asks whether an object that has had all its components replaced remains the same object. His protagonist, Pablo Navarre, embodies that paradox: a celebrated sculptor now jaded and cynical, riddled with imposter syndrome, desperate to break free from critics, collectors, and his own perfectionism. He wants to create the purest artistic representation of creation itself and, in doing so, reinvent himself.
There’s plenty here for readers drawn to meditations on identity, perfectionism, and the creative process. The novel oscillates between self-aware satire of the art world and moments of existential despair. Harper’s prose is sharp and playful, able to shift from sardonic to soulful in a single paragraph.
That said, Navarre’s reinvention feels somewhat limited. It hinges mainly on a few encounters with friends/colleagues, a homeless artist, and some drug-induced visions. There are brief flashes of emotional intimacy in his strained marriage to Jeanette, but it feels like Harper missed the boat (pun intended, haha) on exploring that realm more deeply. At times, I found myself unsure whether I empathized with Pablo at all. The bottom line: the art-world satire is biting and entertaining, but it occasionally overshadows the human drama.
Now, to address the elephant in the room: Harper’s plan to continually update the novel is ambitious, but is it practical? Or even necessary? It’s an inventive nod to the Ship of Theseus paradox, but I’m not yet convinced readers will feel compelled to revisit the book multiple times to track its transformations. Whether this ongoing reinvention enriches the experience or serves as a clever gimmick remains to be seen.
Final verdict: The Ship of Theseus kept me turning pages, even if it didn’t probe as deeply into Navarre’s core as I hoped. For me, his personal evolution doesn’t quite mirror the meta-reinvention of the novel itself (at least not yet) but that might change in future versions. As a first iteration, this is a promising, thought-provoking start that raises more questions than it answers.
3.5 / 5 stars, rounded up.
From projecttheseus.com:
“Just as Pablo chases perfection in his artwork, the novel itself will likewise continue to be refined and reimagined over time. Every few months, a new, free update will take the place of the last. Plot points may change, characters may come and go, the very form and structure altered and experimented upon. Each version is designed to stand alone, yet together they form a living, breathing work — gradually transforming into something completely different from where it all began.”
It’s a fascinating premise, though not what first drew me in. When I came across The Ship of Theseus, I completely missed its “evolution” aspect—I likely entered the giveaway because I’m a sucker for novels about artists, especially those on the verge of unraveling. I was very happy to win the free e-book :)
First off, Harper assumes the reader is familiar with the ancient thought experiment that asks whether an object that has had all its components replaced remains the same object. His protagonist, Pablo Navarre, embodies that paradox: a celebrated sculptor now jaded and cynical, riddled with imposter syndrome, desperate to break free from critics, collectors, and his own perfectionism. He wants to create the purest artistic representation of creation itself and, in doing so, reinvent himself.
There’s plenty here for readers drawn to meditations on identity, perfectionism, and the creative process. The novel oscillates between self-aware satire of the art world and moments of existential despair. Harper’s prose is sharp and playful, able to shift from sardonic to soulful in a single paragraph.
That said, Navarre’s reinvention feels somewhat limited. It hinges mainly on a few encounters with friends/colleagues, a homeless artist, and some drug-induced visions. There are brief flashes of emotional intimacy in his strained marriage to Jeanette, but it feels like Harper missed the boat (pun intended, haha) on exploring that realm more deeply. At times, I found myself unsure whether I empathized with Pablo at all. The bottom line: the art-world satire is biting and entertaining, but it occasionally overshadows the human drama.
Now, to address the elephant in the room: Harper’s plan to continually update the novel is ambitious, but is it practical? Or even necessary? It’s an inventive nod to the Ship of Theseus paradox, but I’m not yet convinced readers will feel compelled to revisit the book multiple times to track its transformations. Whether this ongoing reinvention enriches the experience or serves as a clever gimmick remains to be seen.
Final verdict: The Ship of Theseus kept me turning pages, even if it didn’t probe as deeply into Navarre’s core as I hoped. For me, his personal evolution doesn’t quite mirror the meta-reinvention of the novel itself (at least not yet) but that might change in future versions. As a first iteration, this is a promising, thought-provoking start that raises more questions than it answers.
3.5 / 5 stars, rounded up.
September 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
First off, a big thank you to Garry Harper for reaching out and offering me the chance to read and review his upcoming novel. I hope this review does your book the justice it deserves.
I'm giving The Ship of Theseus 4 out of 5 stars, and honestly, it earned it. This is a smart, thoughtful work of literary fiction that digs into the meaning of art, perfectionism, and the struggle to stay true to yourself, and how our sense of identity can get twisted under the pressure of outside expectations.
But here's the cool part: what I read isn't even the final version.
According to the author's note, this is version 0.1 of The Ship of Theseus. It's part of an ongoing literary project that evolves, with new versions released and updated as the story continues to grow. You can learn more about that or how to get future versions for free at www.ProjectTheseus.com. This unique concept of an evolving story is not just about reading a book; it's about being part of a creative journey. And I'm sure you, like me, are curious to see how it all develops.
The story centres on Pablo, a sculptor, caught between what the world expects of him and what he wants to create. At first, he's making art that fits the mould, pleasing critics and ticking the boxes for commercial success, but deep down, he's frustrated. It's not him. So he pivots and starts creating raw, grotesque sculptures from recycled materials. It's a bold move, flipping the bird to traditional beauty standards and asking bigger questions about what art is supposed to be.
There's a strong thread of social commentary woven through the narrative. Pablo's new work gets interpreted as a statement on everything from environmental destruction to class inequality. Whether or not that's his intention, the message comes through loud and clear: art reflects a fractured society.
What stood out most to me were the more personal, reflective moments in his conversations with friends and his manager, where we get into his head. Is he chasing perfection and success, or trying to make something meaningful? Can real art even survive in a world that turns everything into a product?
Overall, The Ship of Theseus is layered and reflective. It doesn't hand you all the answers, and that's what makes it powerful. If you're into literary fiction that asks big questions and makes you think, I'd recommend this.
And as for Pablo, we are not done with his story yet. I'm genuinely looking forward to the next version and seeing where this evolving project takes him… and us.
Thank you, Garry Harper, for supplying me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
First off, a big thank you to Garry Harper for reaching out and offering me the chance to read and review his upcoming novel. I hope this review does your book the justice it deserves.
I'm giving The Ship of Theseus 4 out of 5 stars, and honestly, it earned it. This is a smart, thoughtful work of literary fiction that digs into the meaning of art, perfectionism, and the struggle to stay true to yourself, and how our sense of identity can get twisted under the pressure of outside expectations.
But here's the cool part: what I read isn't even the final version.
According to the author's note, this is version 0.1 of The Ship of Theseus. It's part of an ongoing literary project that evolves, with new versions released and updated as the story continues to grow. You can learn more about that or how to get future versions for free at www.ProjectTheseus.com. This unique concept of an evolving story is not just about reading a book; it's about being part of a creative journey. And I'm sure you, like me, are curious to see how it all develops.
The story centres on Pablo, a sculptor, caught between what the world expects of him and what he wants to create. At first, he's making art that fits the mould, pleasing critics and ticking the boxes for commercial success, but deep down, he's frustrated. It's not him. So he pivots and starts creating raw, grotesque sculptures from recycled materials. It's a bold move, flipping the bird to traditional beauty standards and asking bigger questions about what art is supposed to be.
There's a strong thread of social commentary woven through the narrative. Pablo's new work gets interpreted as a statement on everything from environmental destruction to class inequality. Whether or not that's his intention, the message comes through loud and clear: art reflects a fractured society.
What stood out most to me were the more personal, reflective moments in his conversations with friends and his manager, where we get into his head. Is he chasing perfection and success, or trying to make something meaningful? Can real art even survive in a world that turns everything into a product?
Overall, The Ship of Theseus is layered and reflective. It doesn't hand you all the answers, and that's what makes it powerful. If you're into literary fiction that asks big questions and makes you think, I'd recommend this.
And as for Pablo, we are not done with his story yet. I'm genuinely looking forward to the next version and seeing where this evolving project takes him… and us.
Thank you, Garry Harper, for supplying me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 21, 2025
I highly recommend this book. It’s a peek- through a life of fame and money. As an outsider, we think money and fame is everything, that if we have all this fame and money we’ll be satisfied and content. This book gives you what you have to give up and do to maintain this kind of life. The pressure and stress and the loneliness behind the limelight and influence. It’s just sad that Pablo only focused his life satisfaction on his artistic work and forgot he has a devoted wife who has sacrificed her own dreams to be with him. I had thought that moment when he was all drugged up and had a glimpse of how he was treating his wife and what she was possibly feeling would be a wake up call but apparently it’s just temporary and it didn’t even hit him to the core. It’s quite tragic in terms of his relationship with his wife. Apparently, it’s his creative work that he’s truly into. Somehow the story in this book has semblance to reality. I love reading this book. Kept me hooked and wanting. Kept me thinking and formulating how I think the story would go but, yes I got stumped and stunned by the ending.
September 24, 2025
Pablo Navarre is a famous artist who well on his wall to burning out and losing his mind. Nothing he creates pleases him and he is his own harshest critic. Pablo meet a homeless man who becomes his muse and begins making art out of trash. This 'Trash Art' confuses the critics but ultimately his big show is more of a success than Pablo ever expected or wanted it to be. He wanted a fresh start with no expectations and was expecting it to be a humiliating failure. It was not. This is where Pablo really starts to lose it and he spirals into crazy land. His long suffering wife Jeanette whisks him off to Paris for some R & R and after some time he does improve but he is still a deeply driven artistic soul and cannot help but continue to create art much to his wife's disappointment. There is a lot of existential angst to this novel and much philosophical musings. I look forward to reading the next version to see what changes the author will add or delete. Interesting concept. 4 stars.
September 7, 2025
Garry Harper has a way of writing protagonists that haunt me. Pablo, the protagonist, wove himself into my artist soul and made me feel as if I were in the book as well. The author obviously understands addiction to creativity and used Pablo wonderfully as a vehicle to express that. I felt so immersed that I took the time to really savor his writing. The description of New York City had me wanting to get on a plane immediately. This book forced me to analyze the balance of focus in parts of my life. It was meaningful. I highly recommend, ‘the Ship of Theseus’.
This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2025
Y’all, he’s done it again. The prose is sharp and playful. You see yourself and anyone you’ve ever known in a story like this. I love the nostalgic walk through lower manhattan. My favorite part was the cockroach MCs. 5 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2025
Kind of a free giveaway; thanks to the author.
A sarcastic and real examination of an artist melting down mentally. It was a good read.
A sarcastic and real examination of an artist melting down mentally. It was a good read.
September 21, 2025
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2025
Good book
November 14, 2025
This novel is extremely interesting with an added twist - every now and then an update will be published and change the ending. I love that idea! Well written and a highly imaginative treasure!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews