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Love Unlocked
The Trap
New job – sexy boss – fate – Art…
When Sal attends an open exam for an apprentice artist to work alongside the infamous Matthew Picard, the last thing he expects is to be the winner. But then his role is revealed and nothing is ever the same again. As he toils day and night on the unique sculpture, strange sensations begin to affect both him and the watching master artist.
Matthew Picard thought he was through with men and love. What he wanted was for Sal to help him create one final monstrous masterpiece – The Trap.
But as he observes his young apprentice, his focus shifts, and so do the very walls of the gallery.
Is it the beauty of art, or something more magical at work?
As the sculpture is created, a power is unlocked.
Can love save them, or will they be trapped forever?
* * *
A story from Love Unlocked – a collection of seven short stories and novellas – unique LGBTQ romances inspired by the Love Lock Bridge.
When Sal attends an open exam for an apprentice artist to work alongside the infamous Matthew Picard, the last thing he expects is to be the winner. But then his role is revealed and nothing is ever the same again. As he toils day and night on the unique sculpture, strange sensations begin to affect both him and the watching master artist.
Matthew Picard thought he was through with men and love. What he wanted was for Sal to help him create one final monstrous masterpiece – The Trap.
But as he observes his young apprentice, his focus shifts, and so do the very walls of the gallery.
Is it the beauty of art, or something more magical at work?
As the sculpture is created, a power is unlocked.
Can love save them, or will they be trapped forever?
* * *
A story from Love Unlocked – a collection of seven short stories and novellas – unique LGBTQ romances inspired by the Love Lock Bridge.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2016
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 17, 2016
Sal has a tiny bedsit with a dripping tap. He works at a bakery. His mother can't be bothered with him, yet he dutifully calls her every week. Sal is meek. Quiet.
Trapped.
When Sal is granted a coveted apprenticeship working for the astonishing artist, Matthew Picard, he is reborn. Sal doubts and strips himself bare. He must be empty to create.
And Matthew watches; he watches and yearns.
Initially, Matthew thinks in WORDS. It's cement and water and ENERGY. Matthew's been hurt and has locked away his heart. But he wants to mentor Sal, touch him, fill him.
Art, desire, creativity, LOVE: they are all madness, different sides of the same dice.
This is a gorgeous, sensual story, part contemporary dark fairy tale, part magical realism, part true love.
We can claw our way out of the ashes and smile. We can dream and touch and MAKE something real. We design our own traps and build our own prisons. And we can set ourselves free.
You don't need to believe in magic. You just need to believe.
Trapped.
When Sal is granted a coveted apprenticeship working for the astonishing artist, Matthew Picard, he is reborn. Sal doubts and strips himself bare. He must be empty to create.
And Matthew watches; he watches and yearns.
Initially, Matthew thinks in WORDS. It's cement and water and ENERGY. Matthew's been hurt and has locked away his heart. But he wants to mentor Sal, touch him, fill him.
Art, desire, creativity, LOVE: they are all madness, different sides of the same dice.
This is a gorgeous, sensual story, part contemporary dark fairy tale, part magical realism, part true love.
Love was not a guarantee or a right, sometimes it squeezed and sometimes it burned.
We can claw our way out of the ashes and smile. We can dream and touch and MAKE something real. We design our own traps and build our own prisons. And we can set ourselves free.
You don't need to believe in magic. You just need to believe.
February 26, 2016
Arousing. Eccentric. Beautiful.
The Trap
February 15, 2016
"The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others."
~Vincent Van Gogh~
I don't know exactly how to describe this story. It's weird and out of the norm. Not mainstream and definately a little crazy.
It's an ode to art and love.
It's also somewhat magical and whimsical. Sensual and maybe lyrical. It blurs the lines between art and love. Between creating art and having sex. It makes you breath a little quicker, this story, and wonder why you feel like crying.
And fight the urge to run to the nearest gallery.
And want to punch Sal's mom in the face.
The authors have a very distinctive voice, and this story is beautifully written.
Recommended for everyone. But you 'll appreciate it more if you 're into art of any kind, and if you believe that, for some people, creating art is the only thing that makes sense.
"...if he made things, real life seemed to have purpose.
* Review posted on Gay Book Reviews*.
This story is part of the Love Unlocked Anthology.
February 22, 2016
Sal and Matthew are artists and their new project is to build a love trap. One that is supposed to capture the essence of love as they understand it and, when completed, they intent to put it on display for all the world to see.
But life likes to stay a mystery and has its own bag of tricks, so It gives them some lemons along the road in order for them to find a fresh start.
"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." ~Michelangelo
But life likes to stay a mystery and has its own bag of tricks, so It gives them some lemons along the road in order for them to find a fresh start.
"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." ~Michelangelo
November 18, 2016
No sé cómo valorar este libro xD.
Es un WTF absoluto íntimamente unido al WTF que es el mundo del arte moderno.
Pero me ha encantado, original, tierno y sexy.
Me encanta esta pareja de autores. Mmmm, otra vez, ¿para cuándo un libro de 200 páginas?
Eh! Guiño a España ;)
Es un WTF absoluto íntimamente unido al WTF que es el mundo del arte moderno.
Pero me ha encantado, original, tierno y sexy.
Me encanta esta pareja de autores. Mmmm, otra vez, ¿para cuándo un libro de 200 páginas?
Eh! Guiño a España ;)
February 13, 2016
was the question when Green day's Dookie came out. I hate labels, I liked it, call it pop punk or whatever.
In the case of The Trap the question "Is this still M/M Romance" popped up in my head. Compared to the common m/m romance story, there is a big NO in my head. In those books you read about flamboyant men, now you face a flamboyant writing style. This book is art? Is it? Yes my understanding of art goes with Joseph Beuys. Shove that label wherever you want it, I enjoyed the reading and literally felt the urge to run to the next art exhibit.
March 5, 2016
5++ Magic pure magic
There was something in the air around this book.
I wanted to cry out loud. (still) It was soooo beautiful.
Sal and Matthew. The apprentice and the infamous artist gallery holder.
Sal a lovely shy tallented man and Matthew done with love and man.
When Matthew dailey watching Sal working in his gallery some magic starts working.
The way its written is really really awesome the feelings in the room.......
My heart squeezed and knocked through my chest.
It was a short story and I loved it very much.
There was something in the air around this book.
I wanted to cry out loud. (still) It was soooo beautiful.
Sal and Matthew. The apprentice and the infamous artist gallery holder.
Sal a lovely shy tallented man and Matthew done with love and man.
When Matthew dailey watching Sal working in his gallery some magic starts working.
The way its written is really really awesome the feelings in the room.......
My heart squeezed and knocked through my chest.
It was a short story and I loved it very much.
February 13, 2016
Beautifully written and with a touch of magic realism. I connected with Sal in some respects -- his feelings of not belonging -- but when it came to the art this was way out there (for me at least!). This whole story was something very different. For me, that's always a good thing!
October 23, 2016
Wow, I've gotta read this again!!! This was artistic and powerfull.
Sal is offered an apprenticeship working for the famous artist, Matthew Picard.
He is asked to finish this project named "The Trap". The trap of falling in love.
“These fucking locks, they are broken hearts. And now we must use them. Show the world what is this thing called love. They write songs about it, but we? We will be the first to show them the truth.”
Two hearts..., yearning..., coming together... One brought hope and the other healing!!
“I want to touch you. Do you mind? I have not wanted to touch for so long. I did not know my hands hurt from not being held. I—I want."
February 24, 2016
This was so creative and original but I knew that a pairing of these authors would be. Wonderful, magical, sexy... Just read it!
March 26, 2017
Valentine's giveaway from the authors :)
Thank you <3
~ 4.5 stars ~
Another beautifully written story by these very talented authors!!
Words to describe this short story:
different
intense
magical
sensual
dream-like
melancholy
hopeful
erotic
lyrical
I'm not a creative person and, as much as I'd like to, I don't understand art. I just know what I like or don't like when I look at something, listen to something, feel something, read something. And I know that I loved this story. So very unlike my usual reading choices but beautiful nonetheless.
Thank you <3
~ 4.5 stars ~
Another beautifully written story by these very talented authors!!
Words to describe this short story:
different
intense
magical
sensual
dream-like
melancholy
hopeful
erotic
lyrical
I'm not a creative person and, as much as I'd like to, I don't understand art. I just know what I like or don't like when I look at something, listen to something, feel something, read something. And I know that I loved this story. So very unlike my usual reading choices but beautiful nonetheless.
February 7, 2016
Apparently it is illegal (mostly) to kidnap people and chain them to their computers and make them write. I am still searching for legal loopholes.
In the meantime, as usual, I had a wonderful time reading the latest offering from Davis and Stewart. The Trap is a trip of story, a little strange and quite wonderful.
Thank you to the authors.
In the meantime, as usual, I had a wonderful time reading the latest offering from Davis and Stewart. The Trap is a trip of story, a little strange and quite wonderful.
Thank you to the authors.
February 9, 2016
The Trap is madness incarnate.
It's written in that chaotic but lyrical way that this duo have mastered, dragging the reader along in a flurry of demented lustful thoughts. Artist Sal passes an exam to study under his idol, the aloof and mysterious Matthew Picard.
With this in mind, it would be easy to jump to cliches that we're all familiar with, but Davis and Stewart deftly write of broken characters, lost and alone in worlds they are struggling to cope with for different reasons, their love locked away. They eloquently portray what I would call the 'Pisces' of the artist - the over-emotional, dramatic, the utterly devoted and demented.
This is short-ish read that does not disappoint; it has great pace and develops its characters in a way that makes you really feel for them.
It's written in that chaotic but lyrical way that this duo have mastered, dragging the reader along in a flurry of demented lustful thoughts. Artist Sal passes an exam to study under his idol, the aloof and mysterious Matthew Picard.
With this in mind, it would be easy to jump to cliches that we're all familiar with, but Davis and Stewart deftly write of broken characters, lost and alone in worlds they are struggling to cope with for different reasons, their love locked away. They eloquently portray what I would call the 'Pisces' of the artist - the over-emotional, dramatic, the utterly devoted and demented.
This is short-ish read that does not disappoint; it has great pace and develops its characters in a way that makes you really feel for them.
February 17, 2016
Art and obsession and a whole lot of my favorite things rolled into one great ride.
It left me deeply ashamed and a little sore.
It left me deeply ashamed and a little sore.
February 24, 2016
I seem to just repeat myself whenever I read something from these two but it's nonetheless true every time. Beautiful. Powerful. Feels. I am in awe they tell such amazing tales in so few pages.
February 14, 2016
Quirky...and weird in some respects, the title is very apt, I liked the idea of heart shaped padlocks and there was a sweet ending for Sal which he deserved. Thanks Claire and Al. :-)
June 10, 2016
A free copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was inspired to do a little reading about an important fixture in this story: the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris. In recent years, tourist couples have made a tradition of attaching padlocks etched with their names to the bridge and throwing the keys in the water. What a lovely, romantic gesture of lasting love. Well, until the immense weight of all the locks caused the bridge to crumble under the pressure. The city was then forced to remove and dispose of the locks. Kind of a sad metaphor, huh? I wondered what happened to these locks, what about the memories attached to them? The first loves and fiftieth anniversaries?
Sal is an artist, and he's struggling to make ends meet. He is shy, sensitive, and utterly smitten with a famous artist he's never met. He attends an audition in hopes of working with him. An accident leaves a mess that those examining his work turn into a silly, pretentious metaphor. Luckily it gets his foot in the door.
Matthew is successful and respected for his art, but he's kind of a miserable bastard. He's angry, temperamental, and convinced he's crazy. He was badly hurt by his ex, and he wants to create a work of art depicting the ugliness of love called The Trap. He was mysteriously sent a box of padlocks he wants to incorporate into the sculpture. They act as a muse that literally sings to him and drives him mad. Now he has an attractive, naked artist to build it for him. What will happen as the spell of the locks affects the two men? Is their connection real, or is it just an outside force binding them together? Will Matthew be free of his bitterness and Sal of his loneliness?
Matthew's evolution was beautiful. I'm a sucker for a closed off, jaded MC who slowly loses his defenses. We see him evolve with the building of the sculpture, allowing himself to be intoxicated with the attraction to Sal. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable from the beginning. Sal's confidence grows as he's finally gotten the first step of falling in love accomplished: Getting noticed.
There's a lot going on in this little novella. It may be fairly short, but it packs a punch. I went into this kind of blindly. I thought it was going to be a bit more of a contemporary, and in a sense it was, but it has more of a fairytale feel to it. That made the magical element work for me.
The writing was, for the most part, very good. There were a few times things felt oddly phrased. Little things that make you reread the previous paragraph because you thought they were inside when they were outside and whatnot. I also felt like we missed a good bit of the story in the end when .
I'd recommend this to all romance readers. It's a quick read, but a really rich, charming story. This is my first read by these authors, and it certainly won't be my last.
I was inspired to do a little reading about an important fixture in this story: the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris. In recent years, tourist couples have made a tradition of attaching padlocks etched with their names to the bridge and throwing the keys in the water. What a lovely, romantic gesture of lasting love. Well, until the immense weight of all the locks caused the bridge to crumble under the pressure. The city was then forced to remove and dispose of the locks. Kind of a sad metaphor, huh? I wondered what happened to these locks, what about the memories attached to them? The first loves and fiftieth anniversaries?
Sal is an artist, and he's struggling to make ends meet. He is shy, sensitive, and utterly smitten with a famous artist he's never met. He attends an audition in hopes of working with him. An accident leaves a mess that those examining his work turn into a silly, pretentious metaphor. Luckily it gets his foot in the door.
Matthew is successful and respected for his art, but he's kind of a miserable bastard. He's angry, temperamental, and convinced he's crazy. He was badly hurt by his ex, and he wants to create a work of art depicting the ugliness of love called The Trap. He was mysteriously sent a box of padlocks he wants to incorporate into the sculpture. They act as a muse that literally sings to him and drives him mad. Now he has an attractive, naked artist to build it for him. What will happen as the spell of the locks affects the two men? Is their connection real, or is it just an outside force binding them together? Will Matthew be free of his bitterness and Sal of his loneliness?
Matthew's evolution was beautiful. I'm a sucker for a closed off, jaded MC who slowly loses his defenses. We see him evolve with the building of the sculpture, allowing himself to be intoxicated with the attraction to Sal. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable from the beginning. Sal's confidence grows as he's finally gotten the first step of falling in love accomplished: Getting noticed.
There's a lot going on in this little novella. It may be fairly short, but it packs a punch. I went into this kind of blindly. I thought it was going to be a bit more of a contemporary, and in a sense it was, but it has more of a fairytale feel to it. That made the magical element work for me.
The writing was, for the most part, very good. There were a few times things felt oddly phrased. Little things that make you reread the previous paragraph because you thought they were inside when they were outside and whatnot. I also felt like we missed a good bit of the story in the end when .
I'd recommend this to all romance readers. It's a quick read, but a really rich, charming story. This is my first read by these authors, and it certainly won't be my last.
February 14, 2016
Al and Claire always write wonderful, unique stories with lovely characters. I really like their style of writing and the ability to really carry a reader into the story and impact them emotionally. I think every story of theirs has moved me to tears at least once somewhere in the story, and this was true in The Trap as well.
The coming together of Sal and Matthew was intense, and that scene when Matthew watches Sal working on the installation.... my god. That was so sensual and raw I felt a little out of breath by the time it was done.
This writing duo has got it goin, yo.
The coming together of Sal and Matthew was intense, and that scene when Matthew watches Sal working on the installation.... my god. That was so sensual and raw I felt a little out of breath by the time it was done.
This writing duo has got it goin, yo.
February 14, 2016
Lovely, and filthy, and lovely again. There's some madness thrown in there too.
As always, these authors have a complicated layering of paint on their story canvas.
Beautiful and romantic. And dirty. Perfectly dirty.
And I've just got to say ...
it's the perfect title.
As always, these authors have a complicated layering of paint on their story canvas.
Beautiful and romantic. And dirty. Perfectly dirty.
And I've just got to say ...
it's the perfect title.
February 14, 2016
This is another incredible love story from Claire Davis and Al Stewart - if you've read and enjoyed their others, I'm confident you'll love The Trap. Sal is the embodiment of all us creative types. Go in there, desperate to impress, create something that potentially will impress, watch creation break, fall apart... Then there's Matthew, a man with the world at his fingertips, and an empty soul. This story is both about art, and it is art. The characters are unpredictable, slightly battered, and prepared to risk everything for the singular pursuit of...love? Art? Perhaps they are one and the same.
February 14, 2016
I love stories about artists, I love artists not just stories about them. I connected with Sal and the chaotic whirlwind of his mind, the thoughts of not fitting in and not belonging, the way he lost himself in his sculpture and in the stages of love. As always in Claire and Al’s stories the characters are amazing and I’m glad I was given the opportunity of following them on their journey.
October 29, 2016
I'm really not one for artistic displays of love and the all consuming passion of a single project. It frightens me to think of being that obsessed about one thing since I have a very addictive personality.
This one didn't work for me. It was too melancholy for most of the story and the falling in love felt one sided.
Just a simple case of, "not my bag."
This one didn't work for me. It was too melancholy for most of the story and the falling in love felt one sided.
Just a simple case of, "not my bag."
May 24, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through the DBML program of the M/M Romance group at goodreads.
I will start my review stealing a quote from the book, which I feel the authors deserve and it makes a nice description of my thoughts of the story: “I am amazed at your dedication. Never have I seen such focus. It is…stunning,”
It was just beautiful, I loved this story. It was hard to put it down. The plot was interesting, it was nice to see where the story could be, and I definitely wasn’t expecting what happened, but I really enjoyed it.
The characters were great. Sal was so lovely, at times funny, and I loved his interactions with others. It was so easy to feel related to his feelings and his insecurities, I liked him very much.
Matthew was a little mysterious at the beginning and I liked it so much, I think that worked fantastically giving a feeling of uncertainty to the story. There was some sense of melancholy around him that made him so appealing to me.
The building of a relationship was at a pace that i enjoyed, it was believable and was coherent with the development of the characters.
I’m not particularly fond on magical thinking, but I felt like the story worked for me.
Overall I think it was a great reading. I think anyone can enjoy it.
I will start my review stealing a quote from the book, which I feel the authors deserve and it makes a nice description of my thoughts of the story: “I am amazed at your dedication. Never have I seen such focus. It is…stunning,”
It was just beautiful, I loved this story. It was hard to put it down. The plot was interesting, it was nice to see where the story could be, and I definitely wasn’t expecting what happened, but I really enjoyed it.
The characters were great. Sal was so lovely, at times funny, and I loved his interactions with others. It was so easy to feel related to his feelings and his insecurities, I liked him very much.
Matthew was a little mysterious at the beginning and I liked it so much, I think that worked fantastically giving a feeling of uncertainty to the story. There was some sense of melancholy around him that made him so appealing to me.
The building of a relationship was at a pace that i enjoyed, it was believable and was coherent with the development of the characters.
I’m not particularly fond on magical thinking, but I felt like the story worked for me.
Overall I think it was a great reading. I think anyone can enjoy it.
August 10, 2016
What a fantastic read. I’m partial to genre fiction with literary leanings, and this story delivers on all counts. It’s intense, sexy, and thought-provoking. Both Sal and Matthew represent different angles on the classic “tortured artist” trope, yet neither of them feels like a cliche. I love the way the narrative strings readers along as Sal works on his epic sculpture. I was hooked from the first page, and I read it in one sitting because I simply had to know what was going to happen.
The whole story is hot and sensual, drawn out in the manner of a passionate encounter and with a crescendo and resolution to match. I loved the underlying themes around the meanings of love and lust and what happens in the aftermath when the heart-pounding climax is over. It’s the perfect read for people who enjoy a highly intellectual erotic romance. An all-around outstanding story, full of raw passion and deep thoughts.
The whole story is hot and sensual, drawn out in the manner of a passionate encounter and with a crescendo and resolution to match. I loved the underlying themes around the meanings of love and lust and what happens in the aftermath when the heart-pounding climax is over. It’s the perfect read for people who enjoy a highly intellectual erotic romance. An all-around outstanding story, full of raw passion and deep thoughts.
October 10, 2017
Read this last year.
Loved it, although I didn't feel that it was as strong as some of their more recent books. Sal was very vivid and alive, and I didn't get the same feeling for Matthew, but as always loved the writing.
Although these two are writers where their less strong books are still better than most others best
Loved it, although I didn't feel that it was as strong as some of their more recent books. Sal was very vivid and alive, and I didn't get the same feeling for Matthew, but as always loved the writing.
Although these two are writers where their less strong books are still better than most others best
May 27, 2016
A free copy of this book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
Sal Thompson is in love with Matthew Picard and leaves his village to try out for the position of Matthew's apprentice. Matthew is a well known artist who makes sculptures. After he opened his own gallery? he retires from making pieces therefore enlisting the need of an apprentice to make art.
Sal goes for tryouts hoping to be chosen but after hearing how no other well known artist was picked. He becomes less confident but nonetheless still hopeful that he'll be picked and will bring back Matthew's smile.
The way the story was written and phrasing was different and not all that off putting. It reminded me of English class in High School and College. It was very descriptive in what Sal was feeling towards his art, the reason he left home and his feelings/hopes concerning Matthew. The subtle slow seduction was really well paced and Matthew being drawn like a butterfly to light was significant. Sal being in his own world helped since he wasn't doing it on purpose.
The story really sucked me in and was such a quick read. I really enjoyed and wouldn't mind if Sal and Matthew got another short story.
Sal Thompson is in love with Matthew Picard and leaves his village to try out for the position of Matthew's apprentice. Matthew is a well known artist who makes sculptures. After he opened his own gallery? he retires from making pieces therefore enlisting the need of an apprentice to make art.
Sal goes for tryouts hoping to be chosen but after hearing how no other well known artist was picked. He becomes less confident but nonetheless still hopeful that he'll be picked and will bring back Matthew's smile.
The way the story was written and phrasing was different and not all that off putting. It reminded me of English class in High School and College. It was very descriptive in what Sal was feeling towards his art, the reason he left home and his feelings/hopes concerning Matthew. The subtle slow seduction was really well paced and Matthew being drawn like a butterfly to light was significant. Sal being in his own world helped since he wasn't doing it on purpose.
The story really sucked me in and was such a quick read. I really enjoyed and wouldn't mind if Sal and Matthew got another short story.
August 18, 2016
Inventive & artistic sweet little romance
An inventive and artistic romance, the emotions of the protagonists parallel the artistic process explored in the story, yielding a very nicely sappily sweet but endearingly romantic quick reading experience.
For me, this was a four star read in terms of enjoyment, but I need to mention that the creativity and the symbolism just struck me as much more than I usually expect out of stories in this genre. (I don't know if that says more about the spark these authors created and shared in this story, my choices in the previous stories I have read, or the strength of the overall offerings in genre.)
An inventive and artistic romance, the emotions of the protagonists parallel the artistic process explored in the story, yielding a very nicely sappily sweet but endearingly romantic quick reading experience.
For me, this was a four star read in terms of enjoyment, but I need to mention that the creativity and the symbolism just struck me as much more than I usually expect out of stories in this genre. (I don't know if that says more about the spark these authors created and shared in this story, my choices in the previous stories I have read, or the strength of the overall offerings in genre.)
November 18, 2016
4 stars
This book was pure magic. It's the kind of book where you need to let your preconceptions go and just read because it's really quite unique and beautiful. You can read the other reviews for more detailed information, but sometimes it's better if you just go ahead and read without anyone else's opinions in your head. One thing is for sure - you will love it.
This book was pure magic. It's the kind of book where you need to let your preconceptions go and just read because it's really quite unique and beautiful. You can read the other reviews for more detailed information, but sometimes it's better if you just go ahead and read without anyone else's opinions in your head. One thing is for sure - you will love it.
June 10, 2016
I received a copy of this story free of charge in exchange for a review as part of the Goodreads M/M DBML program.
The Trap is a story about Sal, an artist with a dream who earns his dream job working with master artist Matthew Picard.
This is such a smartly written story I don’t know where to begin. But I didn’t realize that at first. At first I was caught up with the lyrical style where things are not described in cold blocky language, but in a flowy slight of hand way where you know what’s going on but you have room to let your imagine wander as you get sucked into the movement. After earning his position, Matthew brings Sal in to create The Trap, a creation that will show the world the lies about love. And to build The Trap, Matthew gives Sal a box of locks, locks from the Love Lock Bridge in Paris, locks that sing beautifully to Sal but represent the lies and pain of love to Matthew.
Sal is convinced that he, a simple man from a simple town, can use the locks to bring Matthew back from the loss that has taken Matthew’s soul.
I really don’t want to give the story away. It’s a simple story at its base but so very moving as the locks push Sal with the build and Matthew watches, bringing them closer and closer as the tension builds between the two men and between Sal and the Trap.
The ending is an amazing explosion of feeling where The Trap becomes more and less they realized and what Sal and Matthew have almost falls apart when they fail to understand each other. But it was the end of Chapter 10 when I realized something I should have realized all along and when I went back to read the story again I realized how simply smart the story was written. The story had a different feeling the second time I read it and I enjoyed it more the second time.
I don’t really know what else to say. It was simply a lovely story.
The Trap is a story about Sal, an artist with a dream who earns his dream job working with master artist Matthew Picard.
This is such a smartly written story I don’t know where to begin. But I didn’t realize that at first. At first I was caught up with the lyrical style where things are not described in cold blocky language, but in a flowy slight of hand way where you know what’s going on but you have room to let your imagine wander as you get sucked into the movement. After earning his position, Matthew brings Sal in to create The Trap, a creation that will show the world the lies about love. And to build The Trap, Matthew gives Sal a box of locks, locks from the Love Lock Bridge in Paris, locks that sing beautifully to Sal but represent the lies and pain of love to Matthew.
Sal is convinced that he, a simple man from a simple town, can use the locks to bring Matthew back from the loss that has taken Matthew’s soul.
I really don’t want to give the story away. It’s a simple story at its base but so very moving as the locks push Sal with the build and Matthew watches, bringing them closer and closer as the tension builds between the two men and between Sal and the Trap.
The ending is an amazing explosion of feeling where The Trap becomes more and less they realized and what Sal and Matthew have almost falls apart when they fail to understand each other. But it was the end of Chapter 10 when I realized something I should have realized all along and when I went back to read the story again I realized how simply smart the story was written. The story had a different feeling the second time I read it and I enjoyed it more the second time.
I don’t really know what else to say. It was simply a lovely story.
June 10, 2016
A free copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, that was very different from anything else I have read.
Intense and deeply erotic, mysterious and cryptic, with a touch of the supernatural, this drew me in right from the start, even if I wasn't 100 percent sure about what exactly was going on at times.
I have always had a soft spot for artists, musicians, painters, sculptors - it's the creativity that's so attractive. Being in Sal's mind while he was in creation 'mode' sometimes felt like intruding an intimate act.
I freely admit I did not understand all of Matthew's and Sal's actions - with Matthew behaving extremely eccentric and confusing on occasion, while Sal seemed to live on a higher plain of existence. But their connection was so strong and quivering with sexual tension I just could not NOT like them.
Another thing that struck me is a certain dichotomy in language. On the one side we have the extremely artistic register, some of it abstract and challenging us to attach some meaning ("Cement, sand, aggregate, steel, water, salt, springs.") some beautiful and lyrical. ("That morning, the sculpture seemed to pulse with energy - warmth and power radiating from every inch that had been created with such care.") On the other hand we get down to earth language like
"Now bend. Let me see that hole."
I must say that the continual change between such different registers did make my head spin ever so often.
Still, this was pretty unique.
So if you fancy something completely different for a change, you should try this.
Wow, that was very different from anything else I have read.
Intense and deeply erotic, mysterious and cryptic, with a touch of the supernatural, this drew me in right from the start, even if I wasn't 100 percent sure about what exactly was going on at times.
I have always had a soft spot for artists, musicians, painters, sculptors - it's the creativity that's so attractive. Being in Sal's mind while he was in creation 'mode' sometimes felt like intruding an intimate act.
I freely admit I did not understand all of Matthew's and Sal's actions - with Matthew behaving extremely eccentric and confusing on occasion, while Sal seemed to live on a higher plain of existence. But their connection was so strong and quivering with sexual tension I just could not NOT like them.
Another thing that struck me is a certain dichotomy in language. On the one side we have the extremely artistic register, some of it abstract and challenging us to attach some meaning ("Cement, sand, aggregate, steel, water, salt, springs.") some beautiful and lyrical. ("That morning, the sculpture seemed to pulse with energy - warmth and power radiating from every inch that had been created with such care.") On the other hand we get down to earth language like
"Now bend. Let me see that hole."
I must say that the continual change between such different registers did make my head spin ever so often.
Still, this was pretty unique.
So if you fancy something completely different for a change, you should try this.
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