What do you think?
Rate this book
BEAUTY
When cosmetic and transplant surgery get together and beauty becomes a commodity that can be bought and sold, the Rich become more beautiful, the Poor less. But if something can be traded, it can also be stolen – brutally, violently, by the feared face-stealers, and to a point where the rich finally cry ‘Enough! . . . Enough. Make us plain, make us ordinary.’ Now there is no beauty left, not as we once knew it, only photos, videos, exhibitions. And yet . . . you still hear the occasional rumor.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2017
About the author
Peter Liney
9 books24 followersI've been writing for a long time - twenty-thirty years. From poetry, through sit-coms, to novels. I've had work produced on German, Australian and Brit TV, and on Brit and South African radio. What you might call, the long scenic route to where I am today. And I have to confess that there were many times when I thought I just wasn't going to make it. In fact, I think I'd kind of come to that conclusion. But something has taken a firm grip, is dragging me along, and though it might be bumpy at times, though I might sustain the odd bruise, I think I've paid my dues enough to take this ride...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 11, 2023
Beauty is a wonderful book and I urge you to read it.
The story is set in a near future so close to our own that the backdrop is eminently believable. I was reminded of Philip K Dick or Asimov, the world has a futuristic yet old fashioned feel that draws you in.
Beauty is not, however, a sci-fi book. In a world where everything can be bought, society has reacted in its inimitable way, to buy and sell beauty until it is avoided at all costs. No one has seen beauty for a long time but it’s about to.
The story unfurls in the first person from this promising start. Very strong dialogue complements excellent internal thoughts of the protagonist. Peter Liney has managed to capture some what it feels like to think inside your own head and this really supports and in places leads the story.
There are deliciously literal TV programmes and a viciously realistic turf wars parodying present day corporations and governments.
The book is well paced and builds to a satisfying conclusion. It turns out, beauty isn't just skin deep.
The story is set in a near future so close to our own that the backdrop is eminently believable. I was reminded of Philip K Dick or Asimov, the world has a futuristic yet old fashioned feel that draws you in.
Beauty is not, however, a sci-fi book. In a world where everything can be bought, society has reacted in its inimitable way, to buy and sell beauty until it is avoided at all costs. No one has seen beauty for a long time but it’s about to.
The story unfurls in the first person from this promising start. Very strong dialogue complements excellent internal thoughts of the protagonist. Peter Liney has managed to capture some what it feels like to think inside your own head and this really supports and in places leads the story.
There are deliciously literal TV programmes and a viciously realistic turf wars parodying present day corporations and governments.
The book is well paced and builds to a satisfying conclusion. It turns out, beauty isn't just skin deep.
August 21, 2017
-I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Beauty, by Peter Liney, is a twisted narrative about a society where beauty is valued, so much so its inhabitants would do anything to claim it.
One evening, Huey Glaister invites a few of his employees to his house for a special surprise. Initially, Perry is skeptical, believing it to be yet another symptom of his boss’s vanity. However, when Huey reveals this surprise to be a beautiful woman named Gloria, immediately Perry, as well as his colleagues, become obsessed with her. But when mysterious men begin to target him, and Glaister ends up dead, Perry is overtaken by the need to keep Gloria safe, as he ignores a society that has begun to develop the same obsession for her.
I loved how the characters revolved around Gloria. It wasn’t about her personality, or her intelligence, or patience; in fact the only thing they ever seemed to talk about was her beauty. I loved how Perry and the others tripped over themselves to meet Gloria, and how Glaister bought her with a blatant disregard of the fact that she was married. I also enjoyed how Perry did everything he could for Gloria, not only by abandoning his colleagues but also his life as well. He couldn’t understand why Gloria wanted to go outside, especially when he knew it wasn’t safe. He couldn’t understand why she still considered herself a prisoner, even when he didn’t consider her as such. He couldn’t comprehend her, and it was only when she starts living with him does he see her as a human being, rather than an object to be praised. But even then, the characters were still disturbing; the husband who claimed to possess her, and the people who adored her. It was as if she were a perfect, porcelain doll that children could gaze at, but not touch.
Liney shows just how determined these people are. In a culture where everyone had everything they wanted except natural beauty was interesting to say the least. I couldn’t help but be horrified by how far people would go to make absolute beauty theirs, even if it meant trampling on others to do so. How far would the elites go to get what they want, especially if they’ve fallen in love with a woman who considers them little more than a nuisance? Did anyone take into account Gloria’s wishes? Did they treat her anything else as more than a pawn? Was she just a slave to their fantasies? These questions are ones I have an absolute answer to, but I’d rather leave it up to the reader to decide.
Liney weaves together a nightmarish definition for obsession’s true nature. From the siren-like way Gloria’s beauty twists the characters, to the insanity of the people who claim to love her; it’s this very aspect that reveals their inner insanity. Thus, I would give this book a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to fans of the game, Little Nightmares and Mad Father.
Beauty, by Peter Liney, is a twisted narrative about a society where beauty is valued, so much so its inhabitants would do anything to claim it.
One evening, Huey Glaister invites a few of his employees to his house for a special surprise. Initially, Perry is skeptical, believing it to be yet another symptom of his boss’s vanity. However, when Huey reveals this surprise to be a beautiful woman named Gloria, immediately Perry, as well as his colleagues, become obsessed with her. But when mysterious men begin to target him, and Glaister ends up dead, Perry is overtaken by the need to keep Gloria safe, as he ignores a society that has begun to develop the same obsession for her.
I loved how the characters revolved around Gloria. It wasn’t about her personality, or her intelligence, or patience; in fact the only thing they ever seemed to talk about was her beauty. I loved how Perry and the others tripped over themselves to meet Gloria, and how Glaister bought her with a blatant disregard of the fact that she was married. I also enjoyed how Perry did everything he could for Gloria, not only by abandoning his colleagues but also his life as well. He couldn’t understand why Gloria wanted to go outside, especially when he knew it wasn’t safe. He couldn’t understand why she still considered herself a prisoner, even when he didn’t consider her as such. He couldn’t comprehend her, and it was only when she starts living with him does he see her as a human being, rather than an object to be praised. But even then, the characters were still disturbing; the husband who claimed to possess her, and the people who adored her. It was as if she were a perfect, porcelain doll that children could gaze at, but not touch.
Liney shows just how determined these people are. In a culture where everyone had everything they wanted except natural beauty was interesting to say the least. I couldn’t help but be horrified by how far people would go to make absolute beauty theirs, even if it meant trampling on others to do so. How far would the elites go to get what they want, especially if they’ve fallen in love with a woman who considers them little more than a nuisance? Did anyone take into account Gloria’s wishes? Did they treat her anything else as more than a pawn? Was she just a slave to their fantasies? These questions are ones I have an absolute answer to, but I’d rather leave it up to the reader to decide.
Liney weaves together a nightmarish definition for obsession’s true nature. From the siren-like way Gloria’s beauty twists the characters, to the insanity of the people who claim to love her; it’s this very aspect that reveals their inner insanity. Thus, I would give this book a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, and would recommend this book to fans of the game, Little Nightmares and Mad Father.
August 30, 2017
In a near-future world without beauty, a man becomes obsessed with a singular woman.
The future, as imagined here, is unremittingly nasty. Anyone walking the streets (or driving) is at risk of being killed so their organs can be sold as spare parts. People can even have transplants for cosmetic reasons, so a pretty face is a liability. The result is the wealthy prefer to be safely ugly and natural human beauty has practically died out.
When TV presenter Perry discovers his hated boss is in possession of a beautiful woman (Gloria), he becomes obsessed with her. In a desperate attempt to boost ratings, his boss shows her to the world, with predictably tragic results. Perry saves her from the mob, but now she’s his hot potato, and he also has to come to terms with her being a real human being with her own goals.
The start is rather slow, but it’s worth sticking with it because when the action kicks off, the plot is compelling. Everything crunches into an action-packed climax, satisfyingly concluded with a surprisingly happy ending.
While the formatting could be better, the writing is good throughout with few editing errors. Satire is clearly the goal, with a lot of unpleasant characters displaying the worst aspects of human nature, but the power of beauty is also evoked in a moving (and rather beautiful) way.
Expect sexual references and violence.
The future, as imagined here, is unremittingly nasty. Anyone walking the streets (or driving) is at risk of being killed so their organs can be sold as spare parts. People can even have transplants for cosmetic reasons, so a pretty face is a liability. The result is the wealthy prefer to be safely ugly and natural human beauty has practically died out.
When TV presenter Perry discovers his hated boss is in possession of a beautiful woman (Gloria), he becomes obsessed with her. In a desperate attempt to boost ratings, his boss shows her to the world, with predictably tragic results. Perry saves her from the mob, but now she’s his hot potato, and he also has to come to terms with her being a real human being with her own goals.
The start is rather slow, but it’s worth sticking with it because when the action kicks off, the plot is compelling. Everything crunches into an action-packed climax, satisfyingly concluded with a surprisingly happy ending.
While the formatting could be better, the writing is good throughout with few editing errors. Satire is clearly the goal, with a lot of unpleasant characters displaying the worst aspects of human nature, but the power of beauty is also evoked in a moving (and rather beautiful) way.
Expect sexual references and violence.
April 19, 2018
When I read the summary of this book I was immediately intrigued. Books like this always seem to hook me. It is hard to stick to me tar list when a great sounding book comes in.
Beauty started a bit slow but if you stick with it you won't be disappointed. The plot of this story is great! You can honestly picture the events happening. It's actually pretty scary! Once the action starts, you don't want to put this book down.
There were very few things that I had issues with in this book. Maybe some formatting issues and things like that but it's not hard to look past them. Pick this book up and enjoy!
Beauty started a bit slow but if you stick with it you won't be disappointed. The plot of this story is great! You can honestly picture the events happening. It's actually pretty scary! Once the action starts, you don't want to put this book down.
There were very few things that I had issues with in this book. Maybe some formatting issues and things like that but it's not hard to look past them. Pick this book up and enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews