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Pale Pieces
Having hesitantly accepted an invitation to take a train to unknown ends, things steadily blur into a hazy period of reflection, uncertainty, mild amusement and questionable events, accompanied by standard ongoing psychological turmoil.
And the attempted salvation at both an individual and collective level, through wavering philosophies and strained companionship, appears that which might allow the travellers to persevere and perhaps see an end to the mysterious journey they'd found themselves upon.
A work of psychological literary fiction, this contemplative narrative combines a light-hearted informal tone and dry humour with more sober underlying commentary on human psychology and philosophy. For those who enjoy quiet intensity, irony, intimate workings of the mind, and a little absurdity.
And the attempted salvation at both an individual and collective level, through wavering philosophies and strained companionship, appears that which might allow the travellers to persevere and perhaps see an end to the mysterious journey they'd found themselves upon.
A work of psychological literary fiction, this contemplative narrative combines a light-hearted informal tone and dry humour with more sober underlying commentary on human psychology and philosophy. For those who enjoy quiet intensity, irony, intimate workings of the mind, and a little absurdity.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2025
1 person is currently reading
1085 people want to read
About the author
G.M. Stevens
1 book8 followersG.M. Stevens grew up in Yorkshire where close family, the moors and adventure gave way to a fortunate childhood. After finishing university life in Durham, he moved to Montpellier in the south of France and began writing there. He now lives in La Sarthe, where ongoing creative projects contend with the raising of young children.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 17, 2025
Psychogeography of motionless travel
G.M. Stevens’ Pale Pieces is a psychological fiction that unravels as a deceptively simple voyage but gradually reveals itself as a meditation on consciousness, dislocation, and the fragility of human perception. The novel opens with the unnamed narrator’s reluctant acceptance of a train ticket—an arbitrary gesture that initiates a journey with no disclosed destination. What begins as a faintly comic travelogue soon dissolves into an elusive dreamscape where time, place, and purpose lose coherence. Stevens crafts this liminal voyage through an artful blend of irony and melancholy, allowing mundane exchanges between eccentric passengers to unfold into quiet philosophical dialogues. Beneath the veneer of wit, the novel probes the porous boundary between sanity and absurdity, foregrounding the uneasy coexistence of introspection and inertia.
Stevens’ prose oscillates between archaic elegance and sly modernity, producing a linguistic tension that mirrors the psychological instability of the narrative itself. His narrator, at once detached and deeply self-conscious, moves through a landscape governed by unreliable sensations—each scene teeters between the whimsical and the sinister. The conversations aboard the train, often sparked by boredom or accident, reveal the characters’ attempts to construct meaning amid pervasive uncertainty. The narrative’s humour—dry, self-effacing, and often absurd—never fully conceals the undercurrent of existential unease that defines the travellers’ experiences. The text’s indeterminate setting and cyclical temporality resist closure, giving the novel an oneiric quality, where repetition and reflection replace traditional progression.
In its final pages, Pale Pieces gestures toward revelation without succumbing to it. The last excursion transforms the physical voyage into an allegorical reckoning—a psychological pilgrimage that fuses memory and imagination into a single, haunting image of self-recognition. The work’s ambiguity is its greatest strength: Stevens refrains from imposing moral or metaphysical conclusions, leaving readers suspended in the same uncertainty that consumes his protagonist. Pale Pieces thus operates as both narrative and metaphor, a wry, slow-burning examination of the mind’s effort to find coherence in the absurd theater of existence. Those drawn to philosophical fiction will find in Stevens’ novel a quietly mesmerizing, deeply unsettling journey. Enjoy!
G.M. Stevens’ Pale Pieces is a psychological fiction that unravels as a deceptively simple voyage but gradually reveals itself as a meditation on consciousness, dislocation, and the fragility of human perception. The novel opens with the unnamed narrator’s reluctant acceptance of a train ticket—an arbitrary gesture that initiates a journey with no disclosed destination. What begins as a faintly comic travelogue soon dissolves into an elusive dreamscape where time, place, and purpose lose coherence. Stevens crafts this liminal voyage through an artful blend of irony and melancholy, allowing mundane exchanges between eccentric passengers to unfold into quiet philosophical dialogues. Beneath the veneer of wit, the novel probes the porous boundary between sanity and absurdity, foregrounding the uneasy coexistence of introspection and inertia.
Stevens’ prose oscillates between archaic elegance and sly modernity, producing a linguistic tension that mirrors the psychological instability of the narrative itself. His narrator, at once detached and deeply self-conscious, moves through a landscape governed by unreliable sensations—each scene teeters between the whimsical and the sinister. The conversations aboard the train, often sparked by boredom or accident, reveal the characters’ attempts to construct meaning amid pervasive uncertainty. The narrative’s humour—dry, self-effacing, and often absurd—never fully conceals the undercurrent of existential unease that defines the travellers’ experiences. The text’s indeterminate setting and cyclical temporality resist closure, giving the novel an oneiric quality, where repetition and reflection replace traditional progression.
In its final pages, Pale Pieces gestures toward revelation without succumbing to it. The last excursion transforms the physical voyage into an allegorical reckoning—a psychological pilgrimage that fuses memory and imagination into a single, haunting image of self-recognition. The work’s ambiguity is its greatest strength: Stevens refrains from imposing moral or metaphysical conclusions, leaving readers suspended in the same uncertainty that consumes his protagonist. Pale Pieces thus operates as both narrative and metaphor, a wry, slow-burning examination of the mind’s effort to find coherence in the absurd theater of existence. Those drawn to philosophical fiction will find in Stevens’ novel a quietly mesmerizing, deeply unsettling journey. Enjoy!
November 18, 2025
A beautiful philosophical dive into memory, emotions, consciousness, and what it is to be human. Framed around what I feel is an adventure story, you'll follow the narrator as he interacts with interesting characters on an unknown journey, where you enter his deeply moving mind.
Not a light read, this book took much longer than I expected but it was because the writing was so beautiful and deep, I had to re-read passages or put it down to think before returning to it again. If you don't mind swimming through a dream, this is a good book for you.
Not a light read, this book took much longer than I expected but it was because the writing was so beautiful and deep, I had to re-read passages or put it down to think before returning to it again. If you don't mind swimming through a dream, this is a good book for you.
October 2, 2025
Unfolded through the eyes of a nameless narrator, Pale Pieces takes its characters and the reader on a metaphysical adventure, disguised as a mysterious train journey with an unknown destination.
The narrator, having accepted his ticket from a brief acquaintance, finds himself aboard the train with a gently eccentric collection of passengers. Time and purpose blur, punctuated by a series of ever-increasingly bizarre excursions and activities. As the narrator begins to struggle with intrusive thoughts, inertia, and his fellow travelers, the train continues on its curious quest before offering the passengers one last expedition…
Pale Pieces is an uncommonly good novel that seems more like a dream than traditional storytelling, and from which a reader can draw several meanings.
The period is unidentified, although the beginning references carriages, and the narrative has an old-fashioned aspect. Nonetheless, the story feels relatively timeless. Stevens’ writing is gorgeously intricate and verbose, sparkling with a witty energy. His prose is slightly archaic and shot through with wry amusement and the occasional contemporary phrase, which adds to the growing surrealism.
Initially, the story appears to be straightforward, although the opening chapter has a ghostly, half-imagined quality. Although the main character freely shares his thoughts and observations, which are beautifully descriptive, both he and those around him remain essentially elusive, their aspirations and desires, obscure.
Elements of the train journey are wonderfully fantastical, especially in the early stages. The trips away from the track become delightfully absurd, driven by the sharply-drawn, eclectic bunch of characters, about whom the reader is given only little nuggets of information, which, they suspect, may not be reliable.
As the novel progresses, a darker, more brooding aspect appears. Nothing is quite what it seems, the passage of time is elastic, the train is always plenished and ornate, and no one poses the obvious questions.
The protagonist mentally scurries down rabbit holes of philosophical perceptions, psychological reflections, and musings on the nature of morality. The narrative could have become dense, but it doesn’t. Stevens maintains a sense of whimsy throughout the proceedings, which, combined with the narrator’s compelling voice and the intrigues of the train journey, ensures the pages keep turning.
As the novel nears its conclusion, the reader is given a glimpse into the protagonist’s previous life, which is oddly moving. The final expedition assumes allegorical proportions, a psychological pilgrimage that ends with suitable poignancy.
The narrator, having accepted his ticket from a brief acquaintance, finds himself aboard the train with a gently eccentric collection of passengers. Time and purpose blur, punctuated by a series of ever-increasingly bizarre excursions and activities. As the narrator begins to struggle with intrusive thoughts, inertia, and his fellow travelers, the train continues on its curious quest before offering the passengers one last expedition…
Pale Pieces is an uncommonly good novel that seems more like a dream than traditional storytelling, and from which a reader can draw several meanings.
The period is unidentified, although the beginning references carriages, and the narrative has an old-fashioned aspect. Nonetheless, the story feels relatively timeless. Stevens’ writing is gorgeously intricate and verbose, sparkling with a witty energy. His prose is slightly archaic and shot through with wry amusement and the occasional contemporary phrase, which adds to the growing surrealism.
Initially, the story appears to be straightforward, although the opening chapter has a ghostly, half-imagined quality. Although the main character freely shares his thoughts and observations, which are beautifully descriptive, both he and those around him remain essentially elusive, their aspirations and desires, obscure.
Elements of the train journey are wonderfully fantastical, especially in the early stages. The trips away from the track become delightfully absurd, driven by the sharply-drawn, eclectic bunch of characters, about whom the reader is given only little nuggets of information, which, they suspect, may not be reliable.
As the novel progresses, a darker, more brooding aspect appears. Nothing is quite what it seems, the passage of time is elastic, the train is always plenished and ornate, and no one poses the obvious questions.
The protagonist mentally scurries down rabbit holes of philosophical perceptions, psychological reflections, and musings on the nature of morality. The narrative could have become dense, but it doesn’t. Stevens maintains a sense of whimsy throughout the proceedings, which, combined with the narrator’s compelling voice and the intrigues of the train journey, ensures the pages keep turning.
As the novel nears its conclusion, the reader is given a glimpse into the protagonist’s previous life, which is oddly moving. The final expedition assumes allegorical proportions, a psychological pilgrimage that ends with suitable poignancy.
December 8, 2025
“Pale Pieces is an evocative, introspective journey that blends psychological depth with dry humor and a gentle sense of absurdity. G.M. Stevens crafts a contemplative narrative that feels both intimate and quietly expansive, guiding readers through uncertainty, reflection, and the strange beauty of the mind’s inner workings.
Its blend of understated wit, philosophical undercurrents, and emotional subtlety makes the book a standout in psychological literary fiction. The writing is thoughtful, immersive, and quietly powerful perfect for readers who appreciate nuance, introspection, and the strange charm of life’s in-between moments.”
Its blend of understated wit, philosophical undercurrents, and emotional subtlety makes the book a standout in psychological literary fiction. The writing is thoughtful, immersive, and quietly powerful perfect for readers who appreciate nuance, introspection, and the strange charm of life’s in-between moments.”
November 12, 2025
There’s something deliciously strange about Pale Pieces. It’s one of those novels that doesn’t so much tell a story as it unfolds an experience—quietly, slyly, and with a kind of dreamlike self-awareness that lingers long after you’ve closed the book.
The premise sounds simple enough: a nameless narrator accepts an invitation for a train journey to an unknown destination. But the journey, as it turns out, is less about where the train is headed and more about what happens to one’s mind in motion—or perhaps in stasis. Conversations meander, time bends, and reality thins at the edges, until the trip begins to feel like a living metaphor for consciousness itself.
Stevens’ writing strikes a peculiar and satisfying balance between whimsy and melancholy. His prose has that slightly old-world rhythm—carefully constructed, a little verbose, and sprinkled with dry humor. It’s as though you’re being guided through an existential comedy of manners, except everyone’s a little too polite, a little too lost, and maybe not entirely sure what they’re laughing at. The characters—eccentric travelers, each defined as much by their quirks as by their professions—drift in and out of focus, revealing slivers of philosophy and absurdity in equal measure.
What makes Pale Pieces work is its refusal to offer answers. The story doesn’t move forward in the conventional sense—it ripples. The narrator’s thoughts loop back on themselves, the train remains perpetually stocked and ornate, and no one ever seems to ask the obvious questions. It’s this deliberate suspension of logic that turns the novel into something quietly hypnotic. The humor keeps it light, but beneath the surface, there’s a persistent undercurrent of unease—like you’ve stumbled into a dream you can’t quite wake from.
By the final pages, the journey becomes more psychological than literal. What began as a mysterious trip morphs into a meditation on selfhood, purpose, and the fragile architectures of thought. The last expedition feels almost spiritual—not in a grand, revelatory way, but in the muted, intimate way realizations sometimes come to us in half-sleep.
If you’re someone who loves tightly plotted stories, Pale Pieces will probably test your patience. But if you’re drawn to fiction that feels like a long exhale—philosophical, quietly absurd, and full of odd beauty—this book will charm you completely. Stevens doesn’t give you certainty; he gives you mood, mystery, and the soft, unsettling echo of your own thoughts reflected back at you.
The premise sounds simple enough: a nameless narrator accepts an invitation for a train journey to an unknown destination. But the journey, as it turns out, is less about where the train is headed and more about what happens to one’s mind in motion—or perhaps in stasis. Conversations meander, time bends, and reality thins at the edges, until the trip begins to feel like a living metaphor for consciousness itself.
Stevens’ writing strikes a peculiar and satisfying balance between whimsy and melancholy. His prose has that slightly old-world rhythm—carefully constructed, a little verbose, and sprinkled with dry humor. It’s as though you’re being guided through an existential comedy of manners, except everyone’s a little too polite, a little too lost, and maybe not entirely sure what they’re laughing at. The characters—eccentric travelers, each defined as much by their quirks as by their professions—drift in and out of focus, revealing slivers of philosophy and absurdity in equal measure.
What makes Pale Pieces work is its refusal to offer answers. The story doesn’t move forward in the conventional sense—it ripples. The narrator’s thoughts loop back on themselves, the train remains perpetually stocked and ornate, and no one ever seems to ask the obvious questions. It’s this deliberate suspension of logic that turns the novel into something quietly hypnotic. The humor keeps it light, but beneath the surface, there’s a persistent undercurrent of unease—like you’ve stumbled into a dream you can’t quite wake from.
By the final pages, the journey becomes more psychological than literal. What began as a mysterious trip morphs into a meditation on selfhood, purpose, and the fragile architectures of thought. The last expedition feels almost spiritual—not in a grand, revelatory way, but in the muted, intimate way realizations sometimes come to us in half-sleep.
If you’re someone who loves tightly plotted stories, Pale Pieces will probably test your patience. But if you’re drawn to fiction that feels like a long exhale—philosophical, quietly absurd, and full of odd beauty—this book will charm you completely. Stevens doesn’t give you certainty; he gives you mood, mystery, and the soft, unsettling echo of your own thoughts reflected back at you.
November 13, 2025
"Pale Pieces" by G.M. Stevens features a nameless narrator who, after a somewhat hesitant invitation, hops on a mysterious train headed to who knows where. Alongside a quirky group of passengers, each defined more by their job than by personality, the narrator drifts through an array of strange encounters and adventures. The line between what's real and what might be a dream blurs as time stretches and folds, creating a surreal backdrop for the journey. The characters engage in witty banter, odd hobbies, and deep philosophical discussions that revolve around meaning, morality, and existence. As the story goes on, snippets of the narrator's past pop up, merging memories with the present journey. The train turns into more than just a means of travel; it becomes a space for introspection, pushing both its passengers and readers to contemplate human consciousness, companionship, and the delicate quest for clarity amidst uncertainty.
Review: G.M. Stevens' "Pale Pieces" is memorable for its dreamlike vibe and beautifully crafted prose. Even though the setting is limited to the train and its ever-changing journeys, the world feels immersive and timeless. The ornate carriages, eccentric passengers, and fluid sense of time create an environment that feels both real and a little off-kilter.
The characters, especially the narrator, are interesting not just for what they say but also for what they keep hidden. Their conversations, often funny yet deeply meaningful, showcase Stevens' keen insight into human behavior. The writing strikes a poetic tone without being overly pretentious, balancing whimsy and sadness with a touch of dry humor.
One drawback is the pacing; at times, the narrative hangs on abstract reflections a bit too long, which might lose readers looking for more action or resolution. Still, this pacing fits the book's contemplative nature.
The title "Pale Pieces" beautifully encapsulates the essence of the story, fragments of thoughts and experiences fading at the edges like memories slipping away. It's a great pick for those who enjoy philosophical fiction infused with subtle humor, psychological insight, and atmospheric storytelling. Its quiet strength and lingering uncertainties definitely earn it four solid stars.
Review: G.M. Stevens' "Pale Pieces" is memorable for its dreamlike vibe and beautifully crafted prose. Even though the setting is limited to the train and its ever-changing journeys, the world feels immersive and timeless. The ornate carriages, eccentric passengers, and fluid sense of time create an environment that feels both real and a little off-kilter.
The characters, especially the narrator, are interesting not just for what they say but also for what they keep hidden. Their conversations, often funny yet deeply meaningful, showcase Stevens' keen insight into human behavior. The writing strikes a poetic tone without being overly pretentious, balancing whimsy and sadness with a touch of dry humor.
One drawback is the pacing; at times, the narrative hangs on abstract reflections a bit too long, which might lose readers looking for more action or resolution. Still, this pacing fits the book's contemplative nature.
The title "Pale Pieces" beautifully encapsulates the essence of the story, fragments of thoughts and experiences fading at the edges like memories slipping away. It's a great pick for those who enjoy philosophical fiction infused with subtle humor, psychological insight, and atmospheric storytelling. Its quiet strength and lingering uncertainties definitely earn it four solid stars.
October 18, 2025
Pale Pieces by G.M. Stevens is an evocative, immersive novel that drifts through the edges of memory, reality, and dream with haunting precision. From the first page, an atmosphere of quiet unease settles in; a subtle, persistent feeling that something is slightly off, though never in a way you can quite name. Time feels distorted here, elastic and uncertain, as the story folds in on itself, creating a seamless experience where moments and meanings blur beautifully together. A train ride that ultimately goes nowhere is the setting and pulls you in, encasing you in the uneasy atmosphere.
Stevens’ prose is melodic and hypnotic, each line composed with a near-musical rhythm that draws you deeper into its strange calm. The language itself feels alive—lush, textured, and filled with emotion—yet always restrained, always just out of reach. No clear plotline or final revelation is waiting at the end; instead, the novel moves in soft circles, building mood and depth rather than direction. It’s a story that refuses to explain itself, and that’s what gives it its lingering power.
What makes Pale Pieces so striking is how confidently it inhabits ambiguity. It’s a haunting meditation on perception, presence, and the passage of time; an experience that feels both weightless and heavy with meaning. When it ends, it doesn’t conclude so much as dissolve, leaving a faint echo behind, like a dream you can’t quite shake.
Stevens has crafted something quietly extraordinary here: a novel that doesn’t seek to satisfy in a traditional sense, but instead holds you captive in its soft, unsettling glow.
Stevens’ prose is melodic and hypnotic, each line composed with a near-musical rhythm that draws you deeper into its strange calm. The language itself feels alive—lush, textured, and filled with emotion—yet always restrained, always just out of reach. No clear plotline or final revelation is waiting at the end; instead, the novel moves in soft circles, building mood and depth rather than direction. It’s a story that refuses to explain itself, and that’s what gives it its lingering power.
What makes Pale Pieces so striking is how confidently it inhabits ambiguity. It’s a haunting meditation on perception, presence, and the passage of time; an experience that feels both weightless and heavy with meaning. When it ends, it doesn’t conclude so much as dissolve, leaving a faint echo behind, like a dream you can’t quite shake.
Stevens has crafted something quietly extraordinary here: a novel that doesn’t seek to satisfy in a traditional sense, but instead holds you captive in its soft, unsettling glow.
December 6, 2025
Don’t all things keep growing till they die? This is the rule of nature, which you see everywhere. In a similar way, Mr. Stevens shows how growth, loss, confusion, and hope follow us, sometimes quietly, sometimes painfully, as we walk through the strange paths of our lives.
The story follows a group of travelers as they navigate through strange landscapes, eerie hotels, cramped train cabins, and deep, rocky gorges. As they walk, climb, argue, laugh, or fall silent, the book looks closely at how humans try to make sense of things when nothing feels clear. The author shows how people create meaning even when they feel confused. Sometimes they argue about silly things. Sometimes they joke or make music with their footsteps. Sometimes they get lost. Sometimes they find comfort in a warm pub hidden in a gorge. These moments show how small joys and shared experiences help people stay afloat.
The author did a good job developing characters. Through every character, you will see a portrait of human coping mechanisms. For example, optimism from Djako, nihilism from Depressive Man, etc. The main narrator is unnamed so that you can relate to him. Mr. Stevens writes in a poetic but gentle way, but the book is not a quick read. It is long and dense. If you are someone who likes fast action or clear plots, you will find this book boring. However, someone who loves introspection or thoughtful stories about people and their inner lives will find this interesting.
The story follows a group of travelers as they navigate through strange landscapes, eerie hotels, cramped train cabins, and deep, rocky gorges. As they walk, climb, argue, laugh, or fall silent, the book looks closely at how humans try to make sense of things when nothing feels clear. The author shows how people create meaning even when they feel confused. Sometimes they argue about silly things. Sometimes they joke or make music with their footsteps. Sometimes they get lost. Sometimes they find comfort in a warm pub hidden in a gorge. These moments show how small joys and shared experiences help people stay afloat.
The author did a good job developing characters. Through every character, you will see a portrait of human coping mechanisms. For example, optimism from Djako, nihilism from Depressive Man, etc. The main narrator is unnamed so that you can relate to him. Mr. Stevens writes in a poetic but gentle way, but the book is not a quick read. It is long and dense. If you are someone who likes fast action or clear plots, you will find this book boring. However, someone who loves introspection or thoughtful stories about people and their inner lives will find this interesting.
November 2, 2025
Thought-Provoking and Mysterious
"PALE PIECES" by G.M. Stevens is an engaging read that keeps the reader curious, leaving many questions unanswered. The plot revolves around the narrator's intriguing train journey to an unknown destination. This journey is a delightful adventure filled with mysterious occurrences.
The train passengers are funny and likable characters from different backgrounds, which adds excitement to the story. The author’s choice to name the characters based on their professions makes the narrative unique and interesting.
The mystery within the plot aligns perfectly with the book's title, "PALE PIECES." For instance, the main character's name is never revealed, and he barely knows his travel companion. Additionally, the destination of the journey remains unknown. The story is enriched with humor, particularly in the way the travelers interact; they often pass questions through a long queue, leading to distorted interpretations by the time the inquiries reach the intended recipient.
"PALE PIECES" also feels like a psychological journey for the narrator, as he reflects on his past by the end of the story. It is a journey shaped by the knowledge of a mathematician, the wisdom of a banker, and the guidance of a preacher to consult whenever a problem arises along the way.
"PALE PIECES" by G.M. Stevens is an engaging read that keeps the reader curious, leaving many questions unanswered. The plot revolves around the narrator's intriguing train journey to an unknown destination. This journey is a delightful adventure filled with mysterious occurrences.
The train passengers are funny and likable characters from different backgrounds, which adds excitement to the story. The author’s choice to name the characters based on their professions makes the narrative unique and interesting.
The mystery within the plot aligns perfectly with the book's title, "PALE PIECES." For instance, the main character's name is never revealed, and he barely knows his travel companion. Additionally, the destination of the journey remains unknown. The story is enriched with humor, particularly in the way the travelers interact; they often pass questions through a long queue, leading to distorted interpretations by the time the inquiries reach the intended recipient.
"PALE PIECES" also feels like a psychological journey for the narrator, as he reflects on his past by the end of the story. It is a journey shaped by the knowledge of a mathematician, the wisdom of a banker, and the guidance of a preacher to consult whenever a problem arises along the way.
November 10, 2025
Pale Pieces by G.M. Stevens is a highly insightful work filled with anticipation, featuring a mysterious background and a journey that explores the themes of life, the search for the unknown, introspection, and the unfolding of personal experiences. The narrator, the central figure, embarks on a new journey with Dajako. Little information is given at the start, but the events that unfold form the story, whether it is an encounter with the driver, the banker, or the old lady. Together, these moments capture a raw form of human expression that allows readers to vividly imagine the written words. The narrative has a reflective tone, yet the characters, themes, and environment take center stage as guides. The prose is naturally detailed while remaining minimalistic in experience. The writing is beautifully expressive, casting events into light as if illuminated by a Victorian lamp, with delicate attention to small details such as a couple of women and numerous other instances. There is a philosophical quality to the work, making it an ideal companion for thoughtful reflection or travel.
October 10, 2025
Intriguing
I found this book intriguing for its philosophical discussions between the various characters and gaps in consistency that left me wondering if the story is a metaphor.
The story itself is more like a snippet of time rather than a traditional plot with concrete goals. It takes place on a journey that starts on a train. However, the author never reveals the destination, and it seems like the characters are unaware of the destination as well.
Throughout the book, the characters participate in day to day activities and have discussions that evolve out of boredom and small talk. Some of the activities are out of the ordinary, but generally, they are travel related. Although this story is not packed with action, it has dry wit and interesting observations.
While not a cliffhanger, the end leaves you wondering. If you like tales that leave you introspective and questioning, this is a good choice. If you want a lot of action, this is not for you.
I found this book intriguing for its philosophical discussions between the various characters and gaps in consistency that left me wondering if the story is a metaphor.
The story itself is more like a snippet of time rather than a traditional plot with concrete goals. It takes place on a journey that starts on a train. However, the author never reveals the destination, and it seems like the characters are unaware of the destination as well.
Throughout the book, the characters participate in day to day activities and have discussions that evolve out of boredom and small talk. Some of the activities are out of the ordinary, but generally, they are travel related. Although this story is not packed with action, it has dry wit and interesting observations.
While not a cliffhanger, the end leaves you wondering. If you like tales that leave you introspective and questioning, this is a good choice. If you want a lot of action, this is not for you.
October 14, 2025
Pale Pieces by G.M. Stevens is a surreal and quietly compelling psychological exploration disguised as a mysterious train journey. The nameless narrator, uncertain yet curious, accepts an invitation that leads to a voyage filled with eccentric passengers, philosophical musings, and a strange blend of humor and unease. The line between reality and imagination blurs beautifully as Stevens crafts a narrative that feels like drifting through a waking dream.
What stands out most is the tone—dryly witty yet deeply introspective. The story moves slowly, but purposefully, inviting readers to reflect on thought, existence, and the absurdities of human behavior. While the lack of a clear destination might frustrate those seeking a traditional plot, it’s precisely this ambiguity that makes Pale Pieces so intriguing. It’s more meditation than mystery—a philosophical train ride into the subconscious.
Thank you,
Happy Reading
What stands out most is the tone—dryly witty yet deeply introspective. The story moves slowly, but purposefully, inviting readers to reflect on thought, existence, and the absurdities of human behavior. While the lack of a clear destination might frustrate those seeking a traditional plot, it’s precisely this ambiguity that makes Pale Pieces so intriguing. It’s more meditation than mystery—a philosophical train ride into the subconscious.
Thank you,
Happy Reading
November 30, 2025
Pale Pieces promised to be an intense novel that explores the human psyche, but I'm not fully sure it hit the mark. Perhaps I am not the target audience, but it was a strange read. It felt drawn out at times, and the plot was mostly unclear, and the destination of our pair of protagonists is unclear for a long while. I didn't quite understand where the story was going. That's not to say it's a bad book, though. It's intense, yet oddly sober and mostly quiet. However, it may have done better with better pacing and more clarity throughout the novel. I can appreciate the novel for it's psychological aspects, though. It was intense, but I feel that its intensity could have been channelled better.
September 26, 2025
In Pale Pieces, GM Stevens put together an eerie psychological journey powered by dark thoughts and uncomfortable places. It kicks off when our main character and his companion Djako embark on a train ride, for which Djako found the tickets “on the floor somewhere”. As the story goes on, and the train ride gets longer, the story slowly becomes more eerie and psychological. But it is punctuated by moments of humor and levity, which make the otherwise dark story a lot more enjoyable.
Pale Pieces is a psychological novel for enjoyers of slower and more somber reads.
Pale Pieces is a psychological novel for enjoyers of slower and more somber reads.
October 26, 2025
The treatment of a long train journey, where the destination is unknown, as analogous to life in this world is interesting, but I'm afraid I only managed to get through a third of this book. For me, there was an insufficient story-line to hook onto to made me want to continue on. The novel reads like a stream of consciousness interspersed with fairly dull dialogue. The efforts to inject a form of 'surrealism' into the narrative seemed clumsy and contrived. However, having only read a third of the book, I submit that a more patient reader is likely to have found it a more satisfying read.
November 6, 2025
Philosophical in nature and leaving a lot to think about. It is more base don this tenet rather than the action and the journey itself, which allows one to focus on what is being said. The style of writing is denser and certainly in line with the immediate setting, hence has a heavier undertone. I would say this is for the more mature , serious reader, so in line with that clientele, or audience I think it merits 3/4 stars.
Thank you voracious readers for the advance copy
Thank you voracious readers for the advance copy
January 20, 2026
This is a journey into the unknown by the passengers on this train. They have no idea where they are going but they may face different challenges as they travel. See where the journey is taking them all to
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
December 22, 2025
Well, this one IS different. For a start it is written in a style of English that is not easy to get on with until you have read a decent chunk of the book - it does read better when you get the hang of it. So bear with it, dear reader. It is quite wordy and in a tone more akin to a previous century - don’t ask me which one. And then mixed in with that you get very modern words or word usage by some characters. Ostensibly, it is a story of a journey, mostly by train, but time and destination are not elaborated. The “journey” reflects life and life reflects journey. There is much philosophising about…well, about everything. But don’t be put off by that. There is humour in abundance and the various characters - fellow passengers, mostly - are well drawn. After the initial struggle to work out the language, I really got into the swing of it and began to enjoy it. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book via the NetGalley system and this is my independent and personal review.
I received a copy of this book via the NetGalley system and this is my independent and personal review.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews