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An Other Place
The story centres around 28 year old Newman Riplan, unfulfilled in his life and in need of a break. His friends, sick of his whining, book him a surprise holiday. Thing start off well until he ends up in an other place - a city - where an other place doesn't exist.
Follow Newman into the city while he tries to decode it's mysteries and find his way home - you will never guess where you end up...
Follow Newman into the city while he tries to decode it's mysteries and find his way home - you will never guess where you end up...
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2016
81 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
About the author
Darren Dash
6 books323 followersDarren Dash was born in England in 1972, but has spent most of his life in Ireland, where he lives with his wife and son. In his day job, under a different name, he has sold over 25 million books worldwide, mainly in the YA market. But he feels much more at home in the nights of his adult worlds...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 4, 2019
4.5 stars
1 word: BIZARRE! This is like no other books I have read before. The story is just so weird and not even half way through the book, I started to question my sanity. Darren Shan (or should I say Darren Dash) really has the talent for writing. He has his readers hooked on the story and I felt as if I were the main character Newman Riplan. In fact, Newman's feelings and thoughts are described extremely well it's hard not to sympathize with him. I was so mad when he keeps facing the "Where do you think you are?" response from everyone (I had to put the book down for some time to cool down). By the end of the book, most questions have been attempted with some sort of rather satisfying answers, which is a huge plus for me as I really hate writers who bring up a set of problems and completely forget them later on.
The only reason I deduct 0.5 star is because I didn't enjoy the last one fourth of the story as much as the other parts. It felt a bit forced, like he had to address the problems he raised early on and didn't really know how, so he came up with the most outlandish scenarios ever!
A captivating read? Absolutely!
Recommended? ONLY IF you fancy a very different, out-of-the-way book. If you love Darren Shan as the writer of the famous vampire saga, do think carefully before you purchase this book. He even said it himself on his blog "it's not only very different to anything else I've ever written, but very different to the vast majority of other books that have ever been published either."
1 word: BIZARRE! This is like no other books I have read before. The story is just so weird and not even half way through the book, I started to question my sanity. Darren Shan (or should I say Darren Dash) really has the talent for writing. He has his readers hooked on the story and I felt as if I were the main character Newman Riplan. In fact, Newman's feelings and thoughts are described extremely well it's hard not to sympathize with him. I was so mad when he keeps facing the "Where do you think you are?" response from everyone (I had to put the book down for some time to cool down). By the end of the book, most questions have been attempted with some sort of rather satisfying answers, which is a huge plus for me as I really hate writers who bring up a set of problems and completely forget them later on.
The only reason I deduct 0.5 star is because I didn't enjoy the last one fourth of the story as much as the other parts. It felt a bit forced, like he had to address the problems he raised early on and didn't really know how, so he came up with the most outlandish scenarios ever!
A captivating read? Absolutely!
Recommended? ONLY IF you fancy a very different, out-of-the-way book. If you love Darren Shan as the writer of the famous vampire saga, do think carefully before you purchase this book. He even said it himself on his blog "it's not only very different to anything else I've ever written, but very different to the vast majority of other books that have ever been published either."
October 29, 2023
میتونم با افتخار بگم جز سریعترین داستاه هایی بود که خوندم.احساس میکنم اگه بخوام داستان رو بلند برای کسی تعریف کنم فکر میکنه عقلم رو از دست دادم،داستان در جهانی تقریبا دیوانه کننده روایت میشه . شخصیت اصلی داستان( مثل همهی شخصیت های دارن شان) نترس و جستجوگره.
اتفاق های توی کتاب و چرخهی تولید «جای دیگر» واقعا دور از ذهن و قافلگیر کنندست.
به خاطر محتوای کتاب فکر نمیکنم انتشاراتی بتونه اونو ترجمه کنه ولی «نشریه شهر» کتاب رو بدون هیچ سانسوری ترجمه کرده و رایگان توی کانال تلگرامش هست.
اتفاق های توی کتاب و چرخهی تولید «جای دیگر» واقعا دور از ذهن و قافلگیر کنندست.
به خاطر محتوای کتاب فکر نمیکنم انتشاراتی بتونه اونو ترجمه کنه ولی «نشریه شهر» کتاب رو بدون هیچ سانسوری ترجمه کرده و رایگان توی کانال تلگرامش هست.
July 8, 2019
I was so conflicted about what rating to give this book. It was easily a 5 star book for me almost all the way through but then towards the end I thought it started getting predictable and I thought the ending was kind of disappointing. The ending brought it down from a 5 to a 3 for me but after thinking about it for a while I realised I just wanted everything to be answered, but that wasn't what the book was about, so I decided to go with 5 stars. It was an excellent book, it was very intriguing and I liked the main character. I couldn't put it down once I started.
October 6, 2017
This book was...ok. **Trigger and Spoiler Warning--Do not continue if you know you will be uncomfortable. Also, you are reading a Darren Shan/Dash book, you will probably be uncomfortable regardless**
First I am not going to shy around the fact that the main character raped someone. Let's discuss this though. Depending on the story being told to us there may be rape scenes. It is VERY important to analyze how the author is presenting the information and how the characters as well as the narrators react to the crime.
Darren is no novice writer, he didn't include this for a shock value or to keep the readers on the edge of their seats. We had a main character that was losing he mind, and losing control and power over himself. The woman, who had everything together and had control, power, and sanity over her life, Newman then became jealous and furious with her. In the real world sex can be used to have power or control over someone, especially by force. Newman felt powerless and needed to regain it in the only way he knew how. Is this an excuse? Not at all, although it is a reason of why it happened.
This did not work the way Newman expected it to. This made him descend further into unhappiness and madness. he began to give up, lose his sanity, and feel regret. What I thought was interesting was having the main character do this unpleasant act. In writing we as readers tend to cheer for the main character and hope for their success. Yes, Newman was no less of an asshat, but I personally wanted to see where he would end up and what he would do. I wanted to see him change this world (like the barber), add something to it, make it better. But no, he decides to do one of the most heinous acts and takes advantage of his "girlfriend" of whom he "loved".
At this moment I no longer wanted Newman to succeed but I wanted something more, I wanted blood. I patiently awaited for Newman to die, and see what savage end he would face. Whether he does or not you should finish the book to find out. Before this evil act I actually saw the madness coming to terms in his mind. I honestly thought and kind of wanted him to become an animal, and in ways he did. There are hints and pieces of this but I thought that would have made a fitting end. However, the last 1/4 of the book is about masturbation and tying up loose ends.
Now the feminist lens *Spoily spoilers, I hold nothing back*:
Not only did he rape Cheryl but ends up murdering her and then eating her later on. This is probably the most objectifying and body mutilating thing I have ever read in fiction about a woman's body. We get the cherry on top when we learn that only a man can change the world, and states that it is very similar to the real world. I know this is in the mind of Newman, but I feel as if this is a step back for Darren. I have read ALL of his published works. Although the "B" series was not my favorite, Darren gives us a strong female character who makes it out on top.
Final thoughts? Well, I do not see this book being presented in college classrooms, nor do I see this book appearing on Oprah. I enjoyed the story until that scene and was interested in the world. Darren is a professional writer and it shows throughout the book. Although the plot was distasteful and not my cup of tea, it was carefully thought out and showed when questions to answers were revealed and came to a complete circle. To a Shanster or a lover of odd books I may say that this one be put on the table. For a reader who doesn't dive deep into Darren's head and swim around the ideas, stories, and brain goo, I may hold my tongue.
As always Darren, I look forward to your next book.
First I am not going to shy around the fact that the main character raped someone. Let's discuss this though. Depending on the story being told to us there may be rape scenes. It is VERY important to analyze how the author is presenting the information and how the characters as well as the narrators react to the crime.
Darren is no novice writer, he didn't include this for a shock value or to keep the readers on the edge of their seats. We had a main character that was losing he mind, and losing control and power over himself. The woman, who had everything together and had control, power, and sanity over her life, Newman then became jealous and furious with her. In the real world sex can be used to have power or control over someone, especially by force. Newman felt powerless and needed to regain it in the only way he knew how. Is this an excuse? Not at all, although it is a reason of why it happened.
This did not work the way Newman expected it to. This made him descend further into unhappiness and madness. he began to give up, lose his sanity, and feel regret. What I thought was interesting was having the main character do this unpleasant act. In writing we as readers tend to cheer for the main character and hope for their success. Yes, Newman was no less of an asshat, but I personally wanted to see where he would end up and what he would do. I wanted to see him change this world (like the barber), add something to it, make it better. But no, he decides to do one of the most heinous acts and takes advantage of his "girlfriend" of whom he "loved".
At this moment I no longer wanted Newman to succeed but I wanted something more, I wanted blood. I patiently awaited for Newman to die, and see what savage end he would face. Whether he does or not you should finish the book to find out. Before this evil act I actually saw the madness coming to terms in his mind. I honestly thought and kind of wanted him to become an animal, and in ways he did. There are hints and pieces of this but I thought that would have made a fitting end. However, the last 1/4 of the book is about masturbation and tying up loose ends.
Now the feminist lens *Spoily spoilers, I hold nothing back*:
Not only did he rape Cheryl but ends up murdering her and then eating her later on. This is probably the most objectifying and body mutilating thing I have ever read in fiction about a woman's body. We get the cherry on top when we learn that only a man can change the world, and states that it is very similar to the real world. I know this is in the mind of Newman, but I feel as if this is a step back for Darren. I have read ALL of his published works. Although the "B" series was not my favorite, Darren gives us a strong female character who makes it out on top.
Final thoughts? Well, I do not see this book being presented in college classrooms, nor do I see this book appearing on Oprah. I enjoyed the story until that scene and was interested in the world. Darren is a professional writer and it shows throughout the book. Although the plot was distasteful and not my cup of tea, it was carefully thought out and showed when questions to answers were revealed and came to a complete circle. To a Shanster or a lover of odd books I may say that this one be put on the table. For a reader who doesn't dive deep into Darren's head and swim around the ideas, stories, and brain goo, I may hold my tongue.
As always Darren, I look forward to your next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2017
This could have easily been a 4 star book, as the premise was unique and interesting, the atmosphere was eerie and immersive, and it was a real page-turner. However, there were a few bits which just didn’t sit right with me. My main issue was that all of the protagonist's 'sexual exploits' (let's say, to avoid spoilers) just seemed gratuitous and... immature even. :/ I don't like to criticise this author as I love most of his work for children/teens and even some of his adult material, but I just wanted to be honest.
July 29, 2019
I went to 'An Other Place' and, boy, what a journey that was. Newman Riplan is a jaded, late 20s cyber security worker who's in Amsterdam on another boring job. An unplanned reunion with his two childhood best friends leads an insane night of drunken debauchery and by the time it's all over, Newman's world is turned upside down. Readers who grew up with 'The Saga of Darren Shan' and the 'Demonata' series, Darren's incredible young adult works, will be in for a particularly pleasant surprise but any fans of dark fiction will thoroughly enjoy the lunacy that is 'An Other Place'.
November 30, 2016
This is probably the fastest I've EVER read a (standalone) book, and it says a lot. I'm not normally a fast reader & sometimes it takes me at least a few days to finish a book (and sometimes months) but this took me less than a day !
This is that type of story that has you hooked on till the very last page, and probably won't leave you alone afterwards soon. An amazing story which makes you go through all sorts of emotions.
Even after reading all Darren Dash/Shan's books, I'm still left in awe after each book.
I just don't know how I can describe this one, all I can say is that it's a must-read !
This is that type of story that has you hooked on till the very last page, and probably won't leave you alone afterwards soon. An amazing story which makes you go through all sorts of emotions.
Even after reading all Darren Dash/Shan's books, I'm still left in awe after each book.
I just don't know how I can describe this one, all I can say is that it's a must-read !
January 29, 2021
If you want a book that makes you say “What then in the actual fuck is going on?” the entire time, and leave you with a frustratingly mysterious ending... This is the book for you. Perplexing but entertaining!
December 13, 2017
Just No. This whole book is a NO.
June 6, 2022
The only way I can aptly sum up this book is... 😬
January 2, 2017
Great First Half then Disappoints as It Meanders to Weak Conclusion
After a bender with friends a man gets on plane and is transported to an alien city. Among the natives and their drone slaves he attempts to solve the riddle of what this place is and how to escape from it.
Eventually he meets the Alchemist who controls operations. Although some answers are provided he goes on an adventure to discover just how vast and uniform this world is. Unsuccessful, he returns only to experience the Purge. Afterwards the story is mostly internalized dialogue and very dull as the city and its inhabitants are no longer the focal point. The ending is something of a disappointment after such an engaging premise.
After a bender with friends a man gets on plane and is transported to an alien city. Among the natives and their drone slaves he attempts to solve the riddle of what this place is and how to escape from it.
Eventually he meets the Alchemist who controls operations. Although some answers are provided he goes on an adventure to discover just how vast and uniform this world is. Unsuccessful, he returns only to experience the Purge. Afterwards the story is mostly internalized dialogue and very dull as the city and its inhabitants are no longer the focal point. The ending is something of a disappointment after such an engaging premise.
December 15, 2018
I have to say I am biased. The Thin Executioner is an annual read for me. However, this had me grabbing for my book at 930 in the morning, reading all day, and nothing else. The question of, "Where do you think you are?" drove my curiosity and wonder. With one question Darren Shan brought to life a treacherous city, filled it with monsters, and trapped you inside.
After finishing it I tried to go to bed, then all I could think was, "What in the hell were those sleeping pills made from?!" Sand? They're brown but everything else is from the drones. The pills are common and cheap but the sand costs a lot for protection. The only magic was the sand. Then I felt like Newman Riplan.
After finishing it I tried to go to bed, then all I could think was, "What in the hell were those sleeping pills made from?!" Sand? They're brown but everything else is from the drones. The pills are common and cheap but the sand costs a lot for protection. The only magic was the sand. Then I felt like Newman Riplan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2017
If you liked Darren Shan growing up, you'll appreciate this book. If you've never read Darren Shan, but love the Twilight-Zone and weird parallel universes, you will enjoy this book.
Don't spoil it for yourself, just buy it; you won't regret it.
It is heavily sexual, which I feel would have been nice knowing going into this that my favorite childhood author will be talking about ejaculation... Lol.
The concept is genius and I absolutely LOVED the first half of this book. The ending made complete sense to me and was typical of Shan. Very twilight-zone-esque.
Don't spoil it for yourself, just buy it; you won't regret it.
It is heavily sexual, which I feel would have been nice knowing going into this that my favorite childhood author will be talking about ejaculation... Lol.
The concept is genius and I absolutely LOVED the first half of this book. The ending made complete sense to me and was typical of Shan. Very twilight-zone-esque.
September 4, 2019
The story didn't start the way I expected it to. With the drugs, the prostitution and more drugs, but hey, when in Amsterdam....
The book has many twists and unexpected turns, and I didn't expect things to get so... sexual.
I couldn't stop reading and really wanted to find out what was happening in this psychedelic experience across the pages.
I felt myself relating more to Newman Riplan throughout the story. Instead of asking the many questions this world raised for me I went with the flow and enjoyed the journey to An Other Place.
The book has many twists and unexpected turns, and I didn't expect things to get so... sexual.
I couldn't stop reading and really wanted to find out what was happening in this psychedelic experience across the pages.
I felt myself relating more to Newman Riplan throughout the story. Instead of asking the many questions this world raised for me I went with the flow and enjoyed the journey to An Other Place.
June 27, 2018
As a HUGE fan of Shan growing up, I was more than excited to discover his "adult" books. This one did not disappoint! Yes it's messed up, yes it's twisted, and yes it's got some uncomfortable unnerving ideas... but that's why it's so good! Don't think too much about it, just read it and embrace it. Loved it, as always. You can do not wrong Mr Dash/Shan!
February 18, 2019
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first came upon this book. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and could not put the book down. It has an abundance of twists and turns and "what the fuck's" lol. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
April 24, 2019
Interesting book
Very unique story and intriguing. You never know what’s going to happen. Good read to make you think about the world we live in.
Very unique story and intriguing. You never know what’s going to happen. Good read to make you think about the world we live in.
January 11, 2023
Weird as hell!
April 11, 2017
I have been trying to put together my thoughts on this book for a few days. One of the things Darren does beautifully is world build--and to that extent, An Other Place is a beautiful novel, filled with a rich and robust fantasy world that sucks you in from the start. It is intricately planned and its meticulous attention to detail is rewarding to the reader. It is also a wonderful allegorical story, one that really does make you question a lot of your own positions. It does a lovely job of turning basic truths on their heads--what would you, the reader, do in a world where glass did not exist, where the question "Where I am I?" is met with a puzzled, "Where do you think you are?"; it does a great job of asking the reader to consider how they would react if thrust into this world.
Darren's adult books have belied an appreciation of women that in fact comes across as callously misogynistic when examined under even the lightest scrutiny. A lot of Dash's adult books have had elements of violence against women that have been pretty alarming, but I think the most apparent and grotesque iteration of Dash's...distaste of women, let's say, comes from An Other Place. I am an American and I am aware that Americans are prudish and more sensitive to this kind of stuff than our European counterparts, but for the sake of my own sanity, I cannot allow myself to believe the absolute and utter cruelty with which Newman (and, by association, Dash) treats the only female character in the book. (I must be frank: penetrating a woman, no matter how long you have been dating, when she is unconscious--particularly when unconscious due to chemicals--is rape. Newman tries to parse language to remove culpability of his actions, but he is a rapist.) I was disappointed and perplexed by Cheryl's demise--having been inseminated against her will, having her bodily autonomy ripped from her and having her very humanity stripped away by the acts of a selfish rapist, her last lines are "You fool," before she turns, and her rapist is "forced" to kill her and then eat her body for sustenance. I understand that violence against women is a staple of the horror genre, but this book, out of all of Dash's books, really takes it to unforgivable extremes. Cheryl has no personality beyond a desire to fuck, is presented as endearingly stupid, and ultimately has literally no autonomy. It's really horrible, especially for fans who identify as women or who were socialized as women. It's an awful message to share: if a man ejaculates inside of you (potentially, through no fault of your own, as he may very well take advantage of you in a drugged state), you will turn into a monster, and will be ruined.
The book also meanders in plot. It tried to accomplish about ten different things, and does so only with mixed success for about half, fails miserably in about a quarter, and succeeds in the last quarter. It's clear that this was dreamt before Shan wrote the Demonata series--a lot of the threads of An Other Place feel like scraps leftover from the Demonata, that Shan was not able to bring to his YA books. It was sort of jarring to read at times, because I could never quite follow the progression of the plot, and had to rely heavily on the world to center the story. If the book had been intended to be read for the world building, this wouldn't be so much of an issue, but I did not perceive it as being solely about the world building, and therefore I have to concede that it failed in its efforts at plot development.
Listen: your penis is not as fantastic as you think it is. I promise you. While reading this I was reminded in a dizzying way of Bo Burnham: "you might think your dick is a gift, but I promise, it's not."
More words are spent with Newman cooing sweet nothings to his dick while jerking off merrily around as he romps around the strange world than are spent mourning Cheryl or even acknowledging the horror of Cheryl's demise. More words are spent with Newman lamenting that his foreskin hurts too much to continue jacking off at the pace with which he has grown accustomed to than is spent considering the ramifications of existing in an unpopulated world, ravaged by lycanthropy. More words are spent with Newman praising his dick than just about any other part of the plot, except maybe the drones.
I have been a fan of Shan's books since I was young, and I have long wondered if my squeamishness with regards to the sexual elements of Dash's books have been a result of that, or perhaps due to my Americanism, but after reading An Other Place, I really don't think it's that. I do not think the nature of the dick is quite as marvelous as Dash thinks it is.
I was really surprisingly disappointed in this book and I wanted to write this review to provide a different perspective to the glowing reviews on this site. I love Shan/Dash--I will continue to buy his books as soon as I am able, I will continue to relish each and every book that I read of his, I will continue to reread his books as often as I can, I will continue giving Shan books to the preteens and adolescents in my life. I don't think An Other Place was a bad book; I just don't think it was particularly good. As I have said, it felt like it was the scraps of the Demonata hobbled together, and written sort of as a "fuck you" to women at the same time that it is a love letter to people with the ability to ejaculate. Read it for the world building and for the interesting morality; take the time to stare in puzzlement at the book, to vent frustration, to consider the utter absurdity that is the central theme. It is worth buying, as it is interesting and is a relatively quick read, but I am not totally sure I would recommend it except to the most hardcore Shan/Dash fans.
Darren's adult books have belied an appreciation of women that in fact comes across as callously misogynistic when examined under even the lightest scrutiny. A lot of Dash's adult books have had elements of violence against women that have been pretty alarming, but I think the most apparent and grotesque iteration of Dash's...distaste of women, let's say, comes from An Other Place. I am an American and I am aware that Americans are prudish and more sensitive to this kind of stuff than our European counterparts, but for the sake of my own sanity, I cannot allow myself to believe the absolute and utter cruelty with which Newman (and, by association, Dash) treats the only female character in the book. (I must be frank: penetrating a woman, no matter how long you have been dating, when she is unconscious--particularly when unconscious due to chemicals--is rape. Newman tries to parse language to remove culpability of his actions, but he is a rapist.) I was disappointed and perplexed by Cheryl's demise--having been inseminated against her will, having her bodily autonomy ripped from her and having her very humanity stripped away by the acts of a selfish rapist, her last lines are "You fool," before she turns, and her rapist is "forced" to kill her and then eat her body for sustenance. I understand that violence against women is a staple of the horror genre, but this book, out of all of Dash's books, really takes it to unforgivable extremes. Cheryl has no personality beyond a desire to fuck, is presented as endearingly stupid, and ultimately has literally no autonomy. It's really horrible, especially for fans who identify as women or who were socialized as women. It's an awful message to share: if a man ejaculates inside of you (potentially, through no fault of your own, as he may very well take advantage of you in a drugged state), you will turn into a monster, and will be ruined.
The book also meanders in plot. It tried to accomplish about ten different things, and does so only with mixed success for about half, fails miserably in about a quarter, and succeeds in the last quarter. It's clear that this was dreamt before Shan wrote the Demonata series--a lot of the threads of An Other Place feel like scraps leftover from the Demonata, that Shan was not able to bring to his YA books. It was sort of jarring to read at times, because I could never quite follow the progression of the plot, and had to rely heavily on the world to center the story. If the book had been intended to be read for the world building, this wouldn't be so much of an issue, but I did not perceive it as being solely about the world building, and therefore I have to concede that it failed in its efforts at plot development.
Listen: your penis is not as fantastic as you think it is. I promise you. While reading this I was reminded in a dizzying way of Bo Burnham: "you might think your dick is a gift, but I promise, it's not."
More words are spent with Newman cooing sweet nothings to his dick while jerking off merrily around as he romps around the strange world than are spent mourning Cheryl or even acknowledging the horror of Cheryl's demise. More words are spent with Newman lamenting that his foreskin hurts too much to continue jacking off at the pace with which he has grown accustomed to than is spent considering the ramifications of existing in an unpopulated world, ravaged by lycanthropy. More words are spent with Newman praising his dick than just about any other part of the plot, except maybe the drones.
I have been a fan of Shan's books since I was young, and I have long wondered if my squeamishness with regards to the sexual elements of Dash's books have been a result of that, or perhaps due to my Americanism, but after reading An Other Place, I really don't think it's that. I do not think the nature of the dick is quite as marvelous as Dash thinks it is.
I was really surprisingly disappointed in this book and I wanted to write this review to provide a different perspective to the glowing reviews on this site. I love Shan/Dash--I will continue to buy his books as soon as I am able, I will continue to relish each and every book that I read of his, I will continue to reread his books as often as I can, I will continue giving Shan books to the preteens and adolescents in my life. I don't think An Other Place was a bad book; I just don't think it was particularly good. As I have said, it felt like it was the scraps of the Demonata hobbled together, and written sort of as a "fuck you" to women at the same time that it is a love letter to people with the ability to ejaculate. Read it for the world building and for the interesting morality; take the time to stare in puzzlement at the book, to vent frustration, to consider the utter absurdity that is the central theme. It is worth buying, as it is interesting and is a relatively quick read, but I am not totally sure I would recommend it except to the most hardcore Shan/Dash fans.
April 19, 2018
This book was the epitome of exquisite weirdness. I loved it, and hoovered it down in less than a day. Excellent. Excellent. Excellent.
The story was about a guy named Newman Riplan. He was an awesome fellow. Funny, witty, very full of himself. Newman likes to party and he doesn’t have any qualms about letting loose with his boys. He likes hookers, coke and weed, (God love him) and he’s not ashamed to say so.
He trusts his friends so much in fact, that he’s willing to let them send him off on a mystery vacation. They usher him off on a plane, destination unknown. I won't give away how Newman finds himself in the ‘other place’, I will just let you know that it's pretty cool.
Once there, of course Newman tries to leave. When he is unable, he resigns himself to trying to understand how this new ‘other place’ works.
This book was full of weird and bizarre imagery. The main character did exactly what any normal person in his situation would do. I rooted for Newman and loved every minute of his stream-of-conscious type prose. It is told in the first-person and in present tense which at first I thought was a little off-putting, but by the time I’d passed page 5, I was hooked. I wasn't thinking about POV or tenses anymore. Truth be told, once this book hooked me, the words breezed by in a blur and all I saw was a ‘movie’ playing in my head. And boy was it a good movie!
This is one of those books where when life pulls you away from it, all you do is ponder on what's going to happen next. One of those rare books that you remember years after reading the last line. I will probably never forget this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys strange and bizarre tales. I wouldn't exactly call it horror, but then again what happens in it is definitely horrifying if your Newman Riplan.
Bravo, Dash, you changed my world with this one.
The story was about a guy named Newman Riplan. He was an awesome fellow. Funny, witty, very full of himself. Newman likes to party and he doesn’t have any qualms about letting loose with his boys. He likes hookers, coke and weed, (God love him) and he’s not ashamed to say so.
He trusts his friends so much in fact, that he’s willing to let them send him off on a mystery vacation. They usher him off on a plane, destination unknown. I won't give away how Newman finds himself in the ‘other place’, I will just let you know that it's pretty cool.
Once there, of course Newman tries to leave. When he is unable, he resigns himself to trying to understand how this new ‘other place’ works.
This book was full of weird and bizarre imagery. The main character did exactly what any normal person in his situation would do. I rooted for Newman and loved every minute of his stream-of-conscious type prose. It is told in the first-person and in present tense which at first I thought was a little off-putting, but by the time I’d passed page 5, I was hooked. I wasn't thinking about POV or tenses anymore. Truth be told, once this book hooked me, the words breezed by in a blur and all I saw was a ‘movie’ playing in my head. And boy was it a good movie!
This is one of those books where when life pulls you away from it, all you do is ponder on what's going to happen next. One of those rare books that you remember years after reading the last line. I will probably never forget this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys strange and bizarre tales. I wouldn't exactly call it horror, but then again what happens in it is definitely horrifying if your Newman Riplan.
Bravo, Dash, you changed my world with this one.
May 14, 2017
This book is really one of its kind as well as the author.
All along the book, as the protagonist makes a new discovery, I tried making an explanation of my own. I really thought that there would be a kind of big revelation in the end, telling us why this city exists, how Newman reached there and so on. I thought that I could then compare my explanations to that in the book. But needless to say, the ending surprised(or should I say, amazed) me.
As some other readers said, there were some underlying messages, however I did not take notice of them; the story was definitely more interesting than anything else. But now that I've finished the book, I can say that I understood one major thing: The book revolves about the short term memory of the city's people(in a way); they have no idea how they were created, how certain things work or how they know certain things and they are not interested in knowing either. They live in the present where they know what they know and that's it. They tackle the problems of the present( lykans and animal attacks) and forgetting it, they move on peacefully. Obviously they are made to be like that but that stills conveys a message of how they are much better than us(happier). They can fall in and out of love and they accept this reality. They don't make a fuss about it.
The book kept me hooked till the end and not at all predicting, which was the best thing about it. Nothing that I thought would happen actually happened, NOTHING AT ALL!
Definitely, this book is a must read.
All along the book, as the protagonist makes a new discovery, I tried making an explanation of my own. I really thought that there would be a kind of big revelation in the end, telling us why this city exists, how Newman reached there and so on. I thought that I could then compare my explanations to that in the book. But needless to say, the ending surprised(or should I say, amazed) me.
As some other readers said, there were some underlying messages, however I did not take notice of them; the story was definitely more interesting than anything else. But now that I've finished the book, I can say that I understood one major thing: The book revolves about the short term memory of the city's people(in a way); they have no idea how they were created, how certain things work or how they know certain things and they are not interested in knowing either. They live in the present where they know what they know and that's it. They tackle the problems of the present( lykans and animal attacks) and forgetting it, they move on peacefully. Obviously they are made to be like that but that stills conveys a message of how they are much better than us(happier). They can fall in and out of love and they accept this reality. They don't make a fuss about it.
The book kept me hooked till the end and not at all predicting, which was the best thing about it. Nothing that I thought would happen actually happened, NOTHING AT ALL!
Definitely, this book is a must read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2018
I was nervous going into this book because I LOVED The Evil And The Pure and really did not like Sunburn so my experience with Darren "Dash" had been mixed.
Luckily, I did like this book more than Sunburn, but not quite to the level of The Evil and The Pure. It was an interesting concept, very Darren, but some parts just felt like plot holes. Although I guess it doesn't make sense for the main character to discover all of the secrets of this "other place" as a reader I felt somewhat let down that the interworkings of the other place were never fully revealed. How do people get there? Why does sex function the way it does? Who on earth is The Alchemist???
Also, I will say I was really afraid there at the end that it was going to be some weird time traveling I-am-my-own-ghost stuff like from Sons of Destiny, but it wasn't, thank goodness.
Overall, a fun read, just a few questions left unanswered.
Luckily, I did like this book more than Sunburn, but not quite to the level of The Evil and The Pure. It was an interesting concept, very Darren, but some parts just felt like plot holes. Although I guess it doesn't make sense for the main character to discover all of the secrets of this "other place" as a reader I felt somewhat let down that the interworkings of the other place were never fully revealed. How do people get there? Why does sex function the way it does? Who on earth is The Alchemist???
Also, I will say I was really afraid there at the end that it was going to be some weird time traveling I-am-my-own-ghost stuff like from Sons of Destiny, but it wasn't, thank goodness.
Overall, a fun read, just a few questions left unanswered.
February 20, 2024
I'm giving this 3.5 stars. Readability was great, such an easy read. Did not want to put it down, and just wanted to see how/why the heck Newman got to the other place. I was extremely disappointed in not finding out the real reasons, he was JUST there. Did he die? Was he asleep? Was he in a coma? Was he tripping out on drugs? Is this an afterlife? Is this another dimension? All of these bloody questions I still don't know for sure.
There were a few things that happened that made me quite annoyed with the main character and wanted to see him ripped to shreds. What he did to his friend Cheryl was really messed up.
If you love really weird shit, this is a great read, just don't expect to have all the answers served up to you because you aren't going to get them. You will make up your own mind as to what this "Other Place" is.
There were a few things that happened that made me quite annoyed with the main character and wanted to see him ripped to shreds. What he did to his friend Cheryl was really messed up.
If you love really weird shit, this is a great read, just don't expect to have all the answers served up to you because you aren't going to get them. You will make up your own mind as to what this "Other Place" is.
November 16, 2019
This book was a total surprise. The description does not, and really cannot do it justice. What ever you think this book is about, it's not. I have been reading scifi for 60 years. I read ALL the Golden Age books and authors. And this book stands alone. I started it in the night, (couldn't sleep) and read it non-stop beginning to end in one sitting. It is a quirky, bizarre, utterly unique world and situation. The main character is not particularly likeable, until toward the end, but his personality is perfect for the story and his behavior makes it all happen. It's a mystery which is not neatly tied up, and will leave you with question marks popping over your head, in a very satisfying way. If you love strange scifi, then read this book.
August 17, 2019
This book is messed up
It has been a long time since I've read a book anywhere close to being this messed up. "An Other Place" will definitely go to the top of my list of mind f--k books. I read a review where someone said this was like an episode of Twilight Zone. That is so true, and I would add it's like a Twilight Zone episode on steroids. If you like weird, the you are in for a treat.
It has been a long time since I've read a book anywhere close to being this messed up. "An Other Place" will definitely go to the top of my list of mind f--k books. I read a review where someone said this was like an episode of Twilight Zone. That is so true, and I would add it's like a Twilight Zone episode on steroids. If you like weird, the you are in for a treat.
December 6, 2019
Darren has created an incredible new wirld that you can really envision and feel part of in such a short time
The characters are gripping and you can really get to know them.
The story is incredible and unlike anything I've read before
I'll give this 5 stars however it leaves many things in answered which is a little frustrating but in situations like this I fill the gaps myself.
All in all another incredible read from Darren
The characters are gripping and you can really get to know them.
The story is incredible and unlike anything I've read before
I'll give this 5 stars however it leaves many things in answered which is a little frustrating but in situations like this I fill the gaps myself.
All in all another incredible read from Darren
September 11, 2018
Brilliant spiritual journey
Very original journey of a modern hedonist into a spiritual master. I would deduct half a star for some long-awaited passages, but there's a wonderful payoff.
Very original journey of a modern hedonist into a spiritual master. I would deduct half a star for some long-awaited passages, but there's a wonderful payoff.
May 24, 2020
i can't believe it has taken me so long to read this book!! it is amazing!!! it's a bit strange and can get very dirty and dark but yet all those things make this book a wonderful read. took me 3 days to get through it and i never wanted to stop reading
January 10, 2025
Extremely entertaining book that mixes a variety of genres. Darren continues to write creatively, allowing the reader to be taken to an other place. Captivating book with a satisfying ending. There is certainly a deeper meaning beyond the craziness.
December 5, 2016
Theres only one way cdescribe this. it was Wonderfully wierd
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