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Caligatha
What if there was no such thing as death or disease? What if every dream could come true? Would it be a human utopia?
....Or an unfathomable nightmare?
Lydia has lived her entire life in Caligatha, a quaint coastal resort that seems blissfully unaware the world has been destroyed. Jericho, a brilliant scientist riddled with guilt, attempts to recreate his deceased wife and child, only to wind up in a drug-fueled haze in Caligatha. When the two meet and form a rocky relationship, they start to suspect something is not quite right about their reality.
Meanwhile, in another timeline, survivors of the worldwide plague attempt to understand how it all went wrong, and survive in a near-future wasteland of high technology and chaos. The evidence they find brings them all together in a shocking way.
A thrilling exploration of the dark fringes of a derailed-singularity world: nanotechnology, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence alter the rules of human existence. But human drives and motives remain unchanged at their best——and at their most terrifying.
....Or an unfathomable nightmare?
Lydia has lived her entire life in Caligatha, a quaint coastal resort that seems blissfully unaware the world has been destroyed. Jericho, a brilliant scientist riddled with guilt, attempts to recreate his deceased wife and child, only to wind up in a drug-fueled haze in Caligatha. When the two meet and form a rocky relationship, they start to suspect something is not quite right about their reality.
Meanwhile, in another timeline, survivors of the worldwide plague attempt to understand how it all went wrong, and survive in a near-future wasteland of high technology and chaos. The evidence they find brings them all together in a shocking way.
A thrilling exploration of the dark fringes of a derailed-singularity world: nanotechnology, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence alter the rules of human existence. But human drives and motives remain unchanged at their best——and at their most terrifying.
369 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2015
3 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Matt Spire
2 books22 followersMatt Spire is a fiction, scifi, and horror writer living in Frederick, Maryland with his wife Amanda and a ferret named Sylvia Plath (don't worry, they have an electric oven). Matt Spire first became interested in the ways technology influences human culture after reading Ray Kurzweil's technological singularity masterwork Spiritual Machines. Spire's writing is influenced by science fiction writers such as William Gibson and literary fiction authors as diverse as Margaret Atwood, Bret Easton Ellis, Kurt Vonnegut, and others.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 13, 2019
A good book but I wanted more
I liked the book's style, the narration but just wished to get more sensual romance scenes, suspense, more adrenaline and desired to dive into the story in the best way. Something was missing for me, pity.
While I am reading I adore to experience emotions like I am on the pins and needles, bite my nails to find out what does happen next but I didn't find it here. Maybe the story is not a cup of my coffee. It does happen.
I wish all the best to the author!
I liked the book's style, the narration but just wished to get more sensual romance scenes, suspense, more adrenaline and desired to dive into the story in the best way. Something was missing for me, pity.
While I am reading I adore to experience emotions like I am on the pins and needles, bite my nails to find out what does happen next but I didn't find it here. Maybe the story is not a cup of my coffee. It does happen.
I wish all the best to the author!
January 25, 2020
Good book but very boring from my view.
October 23, 2015
Abandoned. Couldn't understand what the author was trying to say. The story made no sense.
January 24, 2016
Caligatha is a hard book to explain, it is one that is more complex than your average novel but also one that is more meaningful and understandable than others. The story is focused on a brilliant scientist, Jericho, as he tries desperately to relive his past, one that was painfully taken away from him. His pregnant wife died, and Jericho blames himself for it; she was sick with an illness which was killing her, and Jericho tested one of his creations on her, a prototype of a synthetic immune system, designed to cure diseases and illnesses of the user. The prototype, however, didn't work as planned and his wife and unborn child died. Since then, Jericho has become depressed and dependent on drugs to escape reality. As the story begins, he is both managing and living in an unexceptional, yet decent hotel in a town called Caligatha. His only friend is his cruel drug dealer, Reuben, but even the word friend is a stretch. Then Jericho meets a women named Lydia, and his life slowly begins to change, as does hers. He begins to have feelings for her, and they hit it off. However, the world and their life is not what it seems. Little things are off in Caligatha, the only place Lydia has ever known, and she soon realizes something is wrong, in this town, and in her head, and she has to figure out what it is.
In a separate story-line, survivors of a cataclysmic disaster are scavenging and trying to piece together answers. They are looking for a way to fix the effects of this civilization ending calamity, and their search leads them to Jericho. A story-line that once seemed so separate, is by the end, intertwined in ways you could never expect.
As you can tell, the story is not one lacking in complexity, however, the complex world is the most outstanding aspect of this novel. While you are reading, you are reading what is not simply a story, or an event, but a whole new universe. The world building done by the author is excellent, and as you are reading, you are learning things about the world which branch into other pieces of information about the world. The information you gain seems to create new possibilities in the universe and that is what makes it so intriguing. This is one of the few books in which I could tell from the start that it was going to be a series, not as a cash grab, because the world is so well crafted that there must be countless stories worth telling and expanding upon. The author leaves certain details a bit vague, the only negative, in regards to world building that I can think of, is that I wish the world was expanded upon a bit more. I can't really get into it without spoilers, and I'm guessing the author is leaving it for the next book, but I feel as though more of the world should have been described or written about.
Now I'm generally not a big fan of wordy authors, I find over-descriptiveness takes away from the story, they force their image into your head and leave little space for imagination, however Matt Spire has found the perfect amount of descriptiveness and imagination. I sometimes have difficulty with certain authors, reading their words and putting it into pictures, however there is one that did it masterfully, Margaret Atwood. The influence of Margaret Atwood is clear through Caligatha, but it still manages to feel like its own, an original creation. I once noted that her writing is akin to a painting; well I could also say that about Spires writing, it is all laid out beautifully for the reader, but it is open to their interpretation and even welcomes it. He describes scenes and dialogue with a light hand that allows your mind to wander in the scene, but stay focused.
Another positive aspect of the novel was the characters. Jericho and Lydia were fleshed out expertly, even though the novel is not that long. They felt human rather than simply man, woman, or character. They felt like human beings that were being written about. I believe Spire shines in the character building, while Jericho is a self-loathing drug addict, he is redeemable in ways. He feels guilt for his actions, but continues to do them, something that is without a doubt a human way of life. Lydia was written very well, many authors don't seem to have the ability to write female characters as human characters, but Matt does it very well. There are no cliches or stereotypes for her character, she is simply a person.
The story in this novel is interesting, but at times it seemed to drag a bit. You can tell the true focus of this novel is the world, the characters, and the meaning. The story is simply a vessel to carry them all. The story and novels world had a similar issue where at times there wasn't enough of it, but at other times there was so much you can't take it all in. There were times throughout the novel where I got onfused and had to reread a paragraph or so, but with all of the turns that the story takes, that is just part of the ride. The story, however, works as a vessel to the true meaning, or at least what you will interpret the true meaning to be. Regardless of what I believe, or what you will believe, this novel is full of meaning. It has an important message about pain, suffering, and the human experience; a message that often gets lost in the “pleasure now” culture that is quickly being built around us.
Caligatha is an extraordinary novel. It works on multiple levels, it works philosophically, and simply as a novel. The world is built so expertly that you will most likely be upset that the novel isn't longer, and that there isn't more of the world to immerse yourself in. The characters are written very well, and in a very human way. This book is not a simple one that you will read and forget about, it is one that you will ponder on after you are done with it. That is the point, it is pleasurable to read, but it is meant to be more than just pleasure reading, it is meant to make you think, and in that, it succeeds.
In a separate story-line, survivors of a cataclysmic disaster are scavenging and trying to piece together answers. They are looking for a way to fix the effects of this civilization ending calamity, and their search leads them to Jericho. A story-line that once seemed so separate, is by the end, intertwined in ways you could never expect.
As you can tell, the story is not one lacking in complexity, however, the complex world is the most outstanding aspect of this novel. While you are reading, you are reading what is not simply a story, or an event, but a whole new universe. The world building done by the author is excellent, and as you are reading, you are learning things about the world which branch into other pieces of information about the world. The information you gain seems to create new possibilities in the universe and that is what makes it so intriguing. This is one of the few books in which I could tell from the start that it was going to be a series, not as a cash grab, because the world is so well crafted that there must be countless stories worth telling and expanding upon. The author leaves certain details a bit vague, the only negative, in regards to world building that I can think of, is that I wish the world was expanded upon a bit more. I can't really get into it without spoilers, and I'm guessing the author is leaving it for the next book, but I feel as though more of the world should have been described or written about.
Now I'm generally not a big fan of wordy authors, I find over-descriptiveness takes away from the story, they force their image into your head and leave little space for imagination, however Matt Spire has found the perfect amount of descriptiveness and imagination. I sometimes have difficulty with certain authors, reading their words and putting it into pictures, however there is one that did it masterfully, Margaret Atwood. The influence of Margaret Atwood is clear through Caligatha, but it still manages to feel like its own, an original creation. I once noted that her writing is akin to a painting; well I could also say that about Spires writing, it is all laid out beautifully for the reader, but it is open to their interpretation and even welcomes it. He describes scenes and dialogue with a light hand that allows your mind to wander in the scene, but stay focused.
Another positive aspect of the novel was the characters. Jericho and Lydia were fleshed out expertly, even though the novel is not that long. They felt human rather than simply man, woman, or character. They felt like human beings that were being written about. I believe Spire shines in the character building, while Jericho is a self-loathing drug addict, he is redeemable in ways. He feels guilt for his actions, but continues to do them, something that is without a doubt a human way of life. Lydia was written very well, many authors don't seem to have the ability to write female characters as human characters, but Matt does it very well. There are no cliches or stereotypes for her character, she is simply a person.
The story in this novel is interesting, but at times it seemed to drag a bit. You can tell the true focus of this novel is the world, the characters, and the meaning. The story is simply a vessel to carry them all. The story and novels world had a similar issue where at times there wasn't enough of it, but at other times there was so much you can't take it all in. There were times throughout the novel where I got onfused and had to reread a paragraph or so, but with all of the turns that the story takes, that is just part of the ride. The story, however, works as a vessel to the true meaning, or at least what you will interpret the true meaning to be. Regardless of what I believe, or what you will believe, this novel is full of meaning. It has an important message about pain, suffering, and the human experience; a message that often gets lost in the “pleasure now” culture that is quickly being built around us.
Caligatha is an extraordinary novel. It works on multiple levels, it works philosophically, and simply as a novel. The world is built so expertly that you will most likely be upset that the novel isn't longer, and that there isn't more of the world to immerse yourself in. The characters are written very well, and in a very human way. This book is not a simple one that you will read and forget about, it is one that you will ponder on after you are done with it. That is the point, it is pleasurable to read, but it is meant to be more than just pleasure reading, it is meant to make you think, and in that, it succeeds.
October 9, 2015
Ok so I finally got around to reading this book....Caligatha by Matt Spire. It was a great read and I must say I was actually blown away with how good it was. Taking me on unexpected turns and not just at the end of the book like most do. The sentences...lines upon lines in the book...such poetic beauty...this author certainly knows his words and uses them well. A haunting read, one that will follow you well after you finish it.
I don't even know where to begin...the story is so complex it is difficult to describe (but not difficult to read). It's exactly what a sci-fi book should be. I don't like to give spoilers on my reviews so I am gonna tread lightly on describing the story-line. We have Eric, Crane, and Mae...traveling nomads in this post apocalyptic civilization. A treasure trove of articles, a journal, letters, are found by them or rather they were out seeking these things, and from that we get the motherboard of stories!! Jericho...how it all began...why he is so important...his friendship with Reuben...Fern...Lydia....The Blue Coral. The scientist, Jericho...a highly intelligent man that created a cure all pill, Realm, MAIA, Caligatha, a means of survival..first out of necessity but soon spiraled into something selfishly justified by his own needs with no concern for the others. A time of nanotechnology, gene therapy, robotics, Jericho is a pioneer at the midst of it all...but to quote from the book, "When you make waves you produce peaks and troughs". From good, bad too seeped its way in and ran rampant. No one had time or the ability to fix it. On top of all that, Jericho came with his demons...demons in the form of drugs, an addiction he could not shake whether in reality or in his created world. Somewhat of a sick distorted love story for the woman he is fueled for...and their child...what happened to them at his hands...the longing to go back and make things right, failing miserably. Then we get hit with Keene and Emma and the reality that they are facing and how Lydia, Jericho and all the others tie in to that. Story within stories it's easy to be so deeply enveloped in this book. Just when you think you have it all figured out....you're getting another intricate layer to this world of sci-fi brilliance. But this is not just Sci-fi...it's Poetic Sci-fi. Wording alone makes this book so amazing...bonus that it's a great creative story.
Thanks for my win of this book in exchange for an honest review and thanks to Matt Spire for creating such a wonderful story. You have done the Sci-fi genre loving world good with this one.
I don't even know where to begin...the story is so complex it is difficult to describe (but not difficult to read). It's exactly what a sci-fi book should be. I don't like to give spoilers on my reviews so I am gonna tread lightly on describing the story-line. We have Eric, Crane, and Mae...traveling nomads in this post apocalyptic civilization. A treasure trove of articles, a journal, letters, are found by them or rather they were out seeking these things, and from that we get the motherboard of stories!! Jericho...how it all began...why he is so important...his friendship with Reuben...Fern...Lydia....The Blue Coral. The scientist, Jericho...a highly intelligent man that created a cure all pill, Realm, MAIA, Caligatha, a means of survival..first out of necessity but soon spiraled into something selfishly justified by his own needs with no concern for the others. A time of nanotechnology, gene therapy, robotics, Jericho is a pioneer at the midst of it all...but to quote from the book, "When you make waves you produce peaks and troughs". From good, bad too seeped its way in and ran rampant. No one had time or the ability to fix it. On top of all that, Jericho came with his demons...demons in the form of drugs, an addiction he could not shake whether in reality or in his created world. Somewhat of a sick distorted love story for the woman he is fueled for...and their child...what happened to them at his hands...the longing to go back and make things right, failing miserably. Then we get hit with Keene and Emma and the reality that they are facing and how Lydia, Jericho and all the others tie in to that. Story within stories it's easy to be so deeply enveloped in this book. Just when you think you have it all figured out....you're getting another intricate layer to this world of sci-fi brilliance. But this is not just Sci-fi...it's Poetic Sci-fi. Wording alone makes this book so amazing...bonus that it's a great creative story.
Thanks for my win of this book in exchange for an honest review and thanks to Matt Spire for creating such a wonderful story. You have done the Sci-fi genre loving world good with this one.
December 4, 2015
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! It’s incredibly well-written with strong characters, a thought-provoking plot, dazzling analogies, and stylish prose. In the first few chapters, I felt a bit disorientated but this was only because as a reader I was thrown into a world so new and so fascinating it took me a while to see how brilliantly everything was starting to fit together. The author really knows how to pull you into the story and keep you there and once you’re in it feels like you’re sliding down the rabbit hole into a world of fascination. If you read this book you’re definitely going to want to read more about Realm, a place created through an evolved study of quantum physics, available in the form of a pill, where every disease has been eradicated and the meaning of life is determined by your relationships with others . . . but it’s all so much more complex than this: There are terms that are difficult to grasp such as Episodic Dissociative Projection or ‘ghosting’, nanotechnology, and vestigial memory, and there are ideas about the human condition and life itself which are all very profound in their nature, but it’s all superbly explained in a way that you can’t help but sit back with your mouth open in astonishment and admire at how well this book is written. In the story, drug-addled Jericho is the mastermind and engineer who creates and offers the Realm pill to the human race as a gift in response to the greediness of pharmaceutical giants. As with everything else, where there is cause there is also effect or in this case many effects and of course they’re not all positive and good, but these factors are all dealt with effectively by the author and you’re left gasping for more information about Realm, the characters, and the parallel worlds in which they interact. Overall, this is a must-read book for science-fiction fans and I can’t wait to read more from Matt Spire!
June 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! My husband bought it because of a Tweet that showed up on his feed, so it was in our Kindle cloud. I opened it up not knowing anything about it and I'm really glad I did! Great story, GREAT story. It combines numerous genres and it is extremely compelling. I find myself unable to put it down despite the fact that I was continually telling my husband and that I had no idea what was going on (it all becomes clear...you just have to let it unfold).
However, now that we're speaking of clarity, I did feel that the novel would benefit from more editing. There were quite a few conversations or passages that were confusing and I think could have been remedied by a good editor.
I also found some of the expository conversations a little forced and the "speeches" on pain a little much. However, overall, I would most definitely recommend this book to friends. In fact, I did at a party last night.
However, now that we're speaking of clarity, I did feel that the novel would benefit from more editing. There were quite a few conversations or passages that were confusing and I think could have been remedied by a good editor.
I also found some of the expository conversations a little forced and the "speeches" on pain a little much. However, overall, I would most definitely recommend this book to friends. In fact, I did at a party last night.
January 21, 2016
I made the mistake of reading this book when I was trying to go to sleep. Finished the book. Did not sleep. The narrative style somewhat reminds me of how hebephrenic Naked Lunch is; all over the place but you get into it.
August 21, 2021
Very original conception, well-executed, a riveting read. The beginning is a little hard to follow, due to the many threads and characters introduced, but you’ll be well rewarded to stay with it, and soon you won’t be able to put it down.
February 8, 2025
My Review and Thoughts:
A complex science fiction tale. Well written. Takes you on a truly interesting reality built around the imagination with all the trademarks of a thick, important science fiction book.
Lovers of science fiction will take to this book and find it truly in the realm of pure storytelling. It mixes all the futuristic ideas and completes itself into something that stands out above a lot of other science fiction books.
The future. A scientist who tries to bring his wife and child back. During this process his drugged mind and ultimate depression play a factor in his overall experiments and frustrations. Add in a world that is lost, striving to live and you have at times, a book that not only weaves its interesting ideas, but also has the reader thinking, guessing, contemplating just how unique, or real these concepts are.
It has all the clichés of a post-apocalyptic world, but, feels fresh and original. There is a unique mixture of mystery with the deep understanding of imagination. That imagination brought forth by Matt Spire, seems as if it's from the realms of the subconscious mind.
The old additive of just how far technology can lead us without destroying us, or without confusing the mind, and taking away the thought process of sanity. Technology can ultimately cloud the rational judgement of the most genius of people.
This book is very different, in that it has so many different doors, leading to different outcomes, or the old simple comment, twists and turns. I felt drained. I felt totally immersed into a layered complex narrative that my mind dreamed outside of my head. No matter how farfetched the reality was, it made sense, if that makes sense.
Matt Spire can truly grasp a story and give it a life like structure that no matter how out there it is, or how futuristic, or horror laced it is, he makes you believe. He makes you understand. He takes you on a twisted journey that I can’t truly put into words without sounding illogical. Spire is a wonderful storyteller that bleeds the imaginative ideas, concepts, dreams, future, dark reality that only a great storyteller could create.
This is a different book. It is a different style of storytelling. There is a great mixture of realities in this book. Lovers of William Gibson and sparks of Philip K. Dick mingle.
Caligatha is in a sense all originality weaved around a nightmarish, dream like illusions, that become a reality inside your mind.
Spire gives a human side to the fanciful. He gives an intrinsic voice to the future, and emotion to its sad setting.
Would I Return to it again: Yes, I would? There is truly a gifted spark of dreamy, technology rape, that is brilliant and yet nightmarish.
Would I Recommend: Absolutely to lovers of science fiction and futuristic techno, end of society style readers.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
A complex science fiction tale. Well written. Takes you on a truly interesting reality built around the imagination with all the trademarks of a thick, important science fiction book.
Lovers of science fiction will take to this book and find it truly in the realm of pure storytelling. It mixes all the futuristic ideas and completes itself into something that stands out above a lot of other science fiction books.
The future. A scientist who tries to bring his wife and child back. During this process his drugged mind and ultimate depression play a factor in his overall experiments and frustrations. Add in a world that is lost, striving to live and you have at times, a book that not only weaves its interesting ideas, but also has the reader thinking, guessing, contemplating just how unique, or real these concepts are.
It has all the clichés of a post-apocalyptic world, but, feels fresh and original. There is a unique mixture of mystery with the deep understanding of imagination. That imagination brought forth by Matt Spire, seems as if it's from the realms of the subconscious mind.
The old additive of just how far technology can lead us without destroying us, or without confusing the mind, and taking away the thought process of sanity. Technology can ultimately cloud the rational judgement of the most genius of people.
This book is very different, in that it has so many different doors, leading to different outcomes, or the old simple comment, twists and turns. I felt drained. I felt totally immersed into a layered complex narrative that my mind dreamed outside of my head. No matter how farfetched the reality was, it made sense, if that makes sense.
Matt Spire can truly grasp a story and give it a life like structure that no matter how out there it is, or how futuristic, or horror laced it is, he makes you believe. He makes you understand. He takes you on a twisted journey that I can’t truly put into words without sounding illogical. Spire is a wonderful storyteller that bleeds the imaginative ideas, concepts, dreams, future, dark reality that only a great storyteller could create.
This is a different book. It is a different style of storytelling. There is a great mixture of realities in this book. Lovers of William Gibson and sparks of Philip K. Dick mingle.
Caligatha is in a sense all originality weaved around a nightmarish, dream like illusions, that become a reality inside your mind.
Spire gives a human side to the fanciful. He gives an intrinsic voice to the future, and emotion to its sad setting.
Would I Return to it again: Yes, I would? There is truly a gifted spark of dreamy, technology rape, that is brilliant and yet nightmarish.
Would I Recommend: Absolutely to lovers of science fiction and futuristic techno, end of society style readers.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
February 17, 2016
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
"If anything was immortal it was death."
3.5 stars.
This book appealed, straight away, to my love for a darker story. The horror aspects were so fascinating and came as a surprise to me. It was gory, and I was in awe most of the time since I knew next to nothing about the story when I started reading. The premise of this book was intriguing to say the least. The entire plot line's built on tragedy and that is the mood I experienced from cover to cover. It was oddly satisfying.
I loved the different POV's we experience throughout the story. The main ones, in my opinion, were Eric, Jericho and Lydia. I always looked forward to Jericho's POV the most. The things Eric's POV drew attention to about Jericho were contradicting to what I saw in Jericho's own POV. It was a mystery and I loved not knowing what to expect out of Matt. I loved the structure of this story. The plot twists were amazing and Matt's writing style made it easy to picture what was happening in my head. It was easy to follow and I felt lulled by the ambiance.
The only reason I didn't give this book 4/5 stars was strictly my fault. I'm clueless whenever advanced scientific terms are used and due to this book being dark sci-fi, I was confused most of the time. It was difficult to follow and I also couldn't relate to the characters, partially due to my previous reason. Even if I didn't connect to the characters, I was still intrigued by whatever happened to them, especially Jericho.
"If anything was immortal it was death."
3.5 stars.
This book appealed, straight away, to my love for a darker story. The horror aspects were so fascinating and came as a surprise to me. It was gory, and I was in awe most of the time since I knew next to nothing about the story when I started reading. The premise of this book was intriguing to say the least. The entire plot line's built on tragedy and that is the mood I experienced from cover to cover. It was oddly satisfying.
I loved the different POV's we experience throughout the story. The main ones, in my opinion, were Eric, Jericho and Lydia. I always looked forward to Jericho's POV the most. The things Eric's POV drew attention to about Jericho were contradicting to what I saw in Jericho's own POV. It was a mystery and I loved not knowing what to expect out of Matt. I loved the structure of this story. The plot twists were amazing and Matt's writing style made it easy to picture what was happening in my head. It was easy to follow and I felt lulled by the ambiance.
The only reason I didn't give this book 4/5 stars was strictly my fault. I'm clueless whenever advanced scientific terms are used and due to this book being dark sci-fi, I was confused most of the time. It was difficult to follow and I also couldn't relate to the characters, partially due to my previous reason. Even if I didn't connect to the characters, I was still intrigued by whatever happened to them, especially Jericho.
August 14, 2016
Wow! Some really good writing here and not just the flow of the book, there were some really awesome twists and turns. Quality sci-fi book and I'm seriously glad I won this in the giveaways. One of the best things about the book is the strong character base, especially Jericho, very layered and relate able.
October 23, 2015
Review here.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews