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The Land of the Purple Ring
Immeasurable imagination. Unmitigated magic. Spectacular style.
The clockwork man is crafted, to begin with, his father commissioned by that terrible tyrant Time to create her a slave for all eternity. His brain boasts balance wheels and torsion springs; he can wind himself up with a key in his side; and, most importantly, his gyroscopic tourbillon heart glimmers with pure diamond.
He is a living being and he is art, and he refuses to remain a slave forever. He therefore slips through Time’s fingers as the Sands of Time slip through the cracks of reality (at least, when the time cats aren’t using them as a litter box).
Among astounding adventures, despite harrowing hardships, and in between escaping interfering enchanters, the clockwork man seeks his imagination, his purpose, and his name.
The clockwork man is crafted, to begin with, his father commissioned by that terrible tyrant Time to create her a slave for all eternity. His brain boasts balance wheels and torsion springs; he can wind himself up with a key in his side; and, most importantly, his gyroscopic tourbillon heart glimmers with pure diamond.
He is a living being and he is art, and he refuses to remain a slave forever. He therefore slips through Time’s fingers as the Sands of Time slip through the cracks of reality (at least, when the time cats aren’t using them as a litter box).
Among astounding adventures, despite harrowing hardships, and in between escaping interfering enchanters, the clockwork man seeks his imagination, his purpose, and his name.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2020
7 people are currently reading
1155 people want to read
About the author
Deborah J. Natelson
10 books24 followersMy older books are published under the name D.J. Natelson
Some writers talk about discovering their passion, but the truth is that I’ve always been a writer. Even when I had plans to have other careers, writing was an unquestioning part of it. Working full time, I wrote. In school and at university, I wrote. Until the day I die, I will write.
Thank you for reading.
Some writers talk about discovering their passion, but the truth is that I’ve always been a writer. Even when I had plans to have other careers, writing was an unquestioning part of it. Working full time, I wrote. In school and at university, I wrote. Until the day I die, I will write.
Thank you for reading.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 24, 2020
This book is exactly to my taste and shares exactly my sense of humor. It's almost as if I wrote it . . .
July 21, 2020
The clockwork man's perspective on ordinary objects was intriguing. In fact, almost a whole page was simply him pondering types of chairs, and why many are designed for decoration and less for practicality. His confusion of the importance of eating and puzzling thoughts over men who drink until they must stumble home was refreshing. Also creative was how some of these objects were alive, like lampposts, clocks, the magical lakes of cheese and dancing shrimp. One must wonder how the author even came up with some of these bizarre elements! The names of some of the creatures in the story- like "Forsoothians"- was entertaining and curious at the least. If you read it before bed you'll have quite the interesting dreams!
The so-called "clockwork man" had a large amount of character development as he struggled to find an identity. First, he was just Boy, a slave, even taking on the name of his "father" (The Clockmaker) before discovering a true name and soul that defines him as a living being of art- not simply a manikin of clockwork. The one complaint I might have is that sometimes it felt like there was too much going on at once, and I did not see any clear stages of plot, but rather felt more as a collection of short stories.
You can see this review and more at pagesforthoughts.blogspot.com
The so-called "clockwork man" had a large amount of character development as he struggled to find an identity. First, he was just Boy, a slave, even taking on the name of his "father" (The Clockmaker) before discovering a true name and soul that defines him as a living being of art- not simply a manikin of clockwork. The one complaint I might have is that sometimes it felt like there was too much going on at once, and I did not see any clear stages of plot, but rather felt more as a collection of short stories.
You can see this review and more at pagesforthoughts.blogspot.com
June 17, 2020
This book was so much fun to read that it reminded me of both Neil Gaiman's Sandman with its personification of abstract concepts like "Time" and whimsical clockmaker like the movie "Hugo." The narration is magnificent and the ideas were so unique that I smiled every time when I turned the page. Like, here's how the author describes an "Idea":
"A member of the family imagination (genus Inspiration), the idea is a small but niggling notion that worms its way unnoticed into a brain. Once there, it hooks itself in and sends out tendrils for nourishment. An Idea settled is nearly impossible to treat without professional help. In extreme cases, it may resist even the ministrations of Oblivitors, Bleachers, System Restorers, and Brain-washers."
It was so much fun reading the entire story and I was constantly on the lookout for what happens next. The world-building is so detailed and unique that it felt like a refreshing read. What left me in awe was also the exquisite illustrations that accompanied the chapters. The cherry on top is the beautiful cover.
"A member of the family imagination (genus Inspiration), the idea is a small but niggling notion that worms its way unnoticed into a brain. Once there, it hooks itself in and sends out tendrils for nourishment. An Idea settled is nearly impossible to treat without professional help. In extreme cases, it may resist even the ministrations of Oblivitors, Bleachers, System Restorers, and Brain-washers."
It was so much fun reading the entire story and I was constantly on the lookout for what happens next. The world-building is so detailed and unique that it felt like a refreshing read. What left me in awe was also the exquisite illustrations that accompanied the chapters. The cherry on top is the beautiful cover.
July 7, 2020
So, this book... I don't even know where to begin. I'll sum up my feelings with a word: captivating.
To say this is magical realism/fantasy barely scratches the surface. Imagine Neil Gaiman writing a modernized Dante's Inferno experience about Time instead of Hell. Add a heavy dose of humor. Toss in revelatory content that sneaks up on you with a sucker punch, sprinkle in beautiful imagery, then wrap it all in the unique magic that is Deborah Natelson's writing style.
This story is evocative, imaginative, entertaining, immersive, and meaningful.
You've probably figured out that I loved it. Maybe you will too.
*I received a review copy from Thinklings Books.*
To say this is magical realism/fantasy barely scratches the surface. Imagine Neil Gaiman writing a modernized Dante's Inferno experience about Time instead of Hell. Add a heavy dose of humor. Toss in revelatory content that sneaks up on you with a sucker punch, sprinkle in beautiful imagery, then wrap it all in the unique magic that is Deborah Natelson's writing style.
This story is evocative, imaginative, entertaining, immersive, and meaningful.
You've probably figured out that I loved it. Maybe you will too.
*I received a review copy from Thinklings Books.*
September 29, 2021
This was a remarkably entertaining read. The protagonist is endearing from his creation right up to the end of the book.
The details of quite literally everything were descriptive to the point that very little effort is required to imagine the clockwork man trudging through wherever his journal took him, be it on a ship, in a forest or somewhere completely unexpected.
There is enough absurdness and humor that I found myself smiling more often than not.
I look forward to reading more about our little metal man and all the troubles he has yet to discover.
All in all, the book was simply vamazing.
The details of quite literally everything were descriptive to the point that very little effort is required to imagine the clockwork man trudging through wherever his journal took him, be it on a ship, in a forest or somewhere completely unexpected.
There is enough absurdness and humor that I found myself smiling more often than not.
I look forward to reading more about our little metal man and all the troubles he has yet to discover.
All in all, the book was simply vamazing.
September 17, 2021
I liked this book even though it was very confusing at times. Overall, i would recommend it
January 31, 2022
Absurd. Brilliant. Elegant.
May 4, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this whimsical story that takes you to places to which I am sure you have never visited. You will join a mechanical boy with a beautiful crystal heart on his adventures meeting extraordinary people living in unique places and coming in contact with unusual materials. As the boy journeys to different places, he comes to realize that he truly is a living being, and he is art! I highly recommend you accompany the boy, and be completely entertained, as he explores new places with every turn of the page.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews