Marvelous

by Jonathan Harrington

Jacob Mansfield, a software developer in a large corporation, has a comfortable but boring life. He lives alone in a high-rise apartment, struggles with social interaction, and generally keeps to himself. While walking back to his office from lunch one day, he is struck by an SUV. He saves the life of a nearby woman by putting himself squarely in the vehicle’s path but he miraculously sustains no injuries. The near-accident thrusts Jacob into a world of mystical figures with supernatural powers. As he tries to make sense of the strange events happening around him, he must also confront his first significant relationship—with Jess, the woman he saved. How will Jacob cope with the dual mysteries of magic and human interaction? Will he use his new abilities to create a more fulfilling life or to seek a different level of dull comfort?

MARVELOUS is a story of self-discovery based upon a simple concept: what would happen if an average person suddenly developed world-altering powers? Jacob’s new world is a logically constructed system with consistent rules and consequences. Follow Jacob as he explores talents he doesn't understand, and deals with the problems that result.

MARVELOUS is an urban fantasy novel targeting adult readers but is suitable for most readers aged 13 and over.

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2016

About the author

Jonathan Harrington has published poetry, fiction, and non-fiction in everything from the New York Times to the Texas Review. He received a M.F.A. from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 1983. Jonathan has published a chapbook of poems, Handcuffed to the Jukebox, and his poetry has appeared in Poetry East, Texas Review, Main Street Rag, Pebble Lake Review, The Shop (Ireland), Green River Review, Black Bear Review, Kentucky Poetry Review, South Florida Poetry Review, The Spectator, English Journal, Skylight, and countless other publications as well being featured on public radio.

In 1989 he edited New Visions: Fiction by Florida Writers. Tropical Son appeared monthly in Metro Magazine and won the coveted Gold “Charlie” Award for best column of the year from the Florida Magazine Association in 1990. In 1992, twenty-six of these essays were collected in Tropical Son: Essays on the Nature of Florida, and published to wide critical acclaim. After working as an editor at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and teaching Creative Writing for ten years at the University of Central Florida, Jonathan moved to New York City in 1993. In the next ten years he published a series of highly popular mystery novels: The Death of Cousin Rose, The Second Sorrowful Mystery, A Great Day for Dying, St. Valentine’s Diamond and Death on the Southwest Chief. The books appeared in hardback, paperback and book-club editions.

Born in Florida, United States, he currently lives in rural Yucatan, Mexico, where he has translated into English, and published, the wonderful works of some of today´s main Mayan poets.

Reviews

[Jory Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neurodivergent Representation in Sci-Fi

This was a great read as a neurodivergent person who understands how disconcerting changes to relationships, expectations, and routines can be. The protagonist is clearly neurodivergent, and his experiences reflect the awakenings that come when a ND person recognizes their values and talents.
That said, those experiences are filtered through a sci-fi experience that reallocates ND talents to metaphysical strengths. Jacob’s journey of self discovery promises intrigue in business and romance, but tensions build when he finds out he’s not quite as unique as he believed upon discovering his talents.
I will await the contents of that last text with bated breath.