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Decline
A whirlpool of crows
Swirls above, justifying
Our murderousness
The world is a quiet place now. The streets are choked with dust and the ruins of civilization; the horizon is bleak in every direction. There are only a few survivors left. Occasionally, the silence is broken with cries of violence as the corrupted remains of humanity feed off the living. There is no longer any distinction between suffering and survival.
The end came suddenly, followed by the agony of slow deterioration that now defines the existence of Kane's nameless narrator. Along his way he will meet other survivors with whom he will experience moments of joy, grief, cruelty, and love, all of which merge into greater discoveries about the value of life.
Through beautiful and disturbing imagery and characters who will haunt the reader with their passionate, tortured personas, Kane tells a story of the post-apocalyptic world as it has never been seen before. There is terror and slaughter, and there is stillness and peace that can transcend all pain. From its gripping introduction, Decline is a stunning contemplation of the capacities of the human spirit to endure and make meaning when surrounded by death.
Swirls above, justifying
Our murderousness
The world is a quiet place now. The streets are choked with dust and the ruins of civilization; the horizon is bleak in every direction. There are only a few survivors left. Occasionally, the silence is broken with cries of violence as the corrupted remains of humanity feed off the living. There is no longer any distinction between suffering and survival.
The end came suddenly, followed by the agony of slow deterioration that now defines the existence of Kane's nameless narrator. Along his way he will meet other survivors with whom he will experience moments of joy, grief, cruelty, and love, all of which merge into greater discoveries about the value of life.
Through beautiful and disturbing imagery and characters who will haunt the reader with their passionate, tortured personas, Kane tells a story of the post-apocalyptic world as it has never been seen before. There is terror and slaughter, and there is stillness and peace that can transcend all pain. From its gripping introduction, Decline is a stunning contemplation of the capacities of the human spirit to endure and make meaning when surrounded by death.
210 pages, Paperback
Published August 18, 2016
9 people want to read
About the author
Jared Kane
11 books1 followerJared Kane writes for work, writes for recreation, writes to relax, for therapy, and to demystify his world—not the world. Jared is a romantic, which is the trunk of a tree with cynical branches. In his writing, Jared likes to challenge fundamental beliefs and widely held philosophies that readers may take for granted. Ultimately, Jared aims to transcend the words on the screen or page, and draw the same emotion from the reader as would a fine arrangement of music.
Jared’s writing skews dark, but not morbid. Everything has a mirror, and Jared simply uses it.
Besides, a spot of darkness brightens the dimmest light.
Visit Jared at his website Whirlpool of Crows, and on Instagram @whirlpool_of_crows.
Jared’s writing skews dark, but not morbid. Everything has a mirror, and Jared simply uses it.
Besides, a spot of darkness brightens the dimmest light.
Visit Jared at his website Whirlpool of Crows, and on Instagram @whirlpool_of_crows.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 31, 2019
"A whirlpool of crows swirls above, justifying our murderousness."
When a poet writes prose, the novel that results carries the promise of an extra-special literary delight. Jared Kane's Decline, fulfills that promise and more.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world and told from the point of view of a nameless narrator, Decline follows the narrator in his search for life amongst the death and despair that surrounds him, hunting for meaning amongst the ruins and the increasing corruption and violence that grows from the few survivors that remain. Glimmers of hope shine through in small pockets of time and space with some individuals he encounters, but ultimately, everything seems to corrupt around him.
Written by an English major who has an amazing grasp of the language and it's nuances, Decline is incredibly beautiful in it's eloquence of both the writing and the storyline. It is not meant for a casual read. You definately need to commit some time and energy into absorbing the book. Kane is a genuine writer's writer whose work will make you want to break out your thesaurus and / or dictionary to improve upon your own writing.
Decline is Kanes' first novel. His second one, Mya, is just as beautifully written and deserving of a read.
When a poet writes prose, the novel that results carries the promise of an extra-special literary delight. Jared Kane's Decline, fulfills that promise and more.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world and told from the point of view of a nameless narrator, Decline follows the narrator in his search for life amongst the death and despair that surrounds him, hunting for meaning amongst the ruins and the increasing corruption and violence that grows from the few survivors that remain. Glimmers of hope shine through in small pockets of time and space with some individuals he encounters, but ultimately, everything seems to corrupt around him.
Written by an English major who has an amazing grasp of the language and it's nuances, Decline is incredibly beautiful in it's eloquence of both the writing and the storyline. It is not meant for a casual read. You definately need to commit some time and energy into absorbing the book. Kane is a genuine writer's writer whose work will make you want to break out your thesaurus and / or dictionary to improve upon your own writing.
Decline is Kanes' first novel. His second one, Mya, is just as beautifully written and deserving of a read.
June 20, 2021
Jared Kane's debut novel, DECLINE is an unforgettable, beautiful, poignant, engrossing and disturbing story about the final years of the human race. I love books that make me pause and ponder, and this haunting novel delivers. DECLINE is a hidden gem in the Apocalyptic genre. Exceptional in every way! Five stars!
December 15, 2016
Post apocalyptic books are a good read in general. I wouldn't read them otherwise. But I find myself tired of the sameness of them all. They're slipping into the ethereal. Fantasy. Other world beings. I found this one refreshing. The narrator told a story of life in his world. It was what it was and you had to accept it for that. But it was a world torn apart by us and a world we had to live in. I did find the author's description of his world almost in abundance, but still enjoyed his grasp of narrating it just the same.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews