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Neverday
For almost 20 years, Carlton Mellick III has been writing some of the strangest and most compelling novels the bizarro fiction genre has to offer. Described as one of the top 40 science-fiction writers under the age of 40 by The Guardian and "one of the most original novelists working today" by horror legend Edward Lee. In his 57th book, Neverday, Mellick has created a dystopian horror tribute to time loop stories in the tradition of Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow and Happy Death Day. Karl Lybeck has been repeating the same day over and over again, in a constant loop, for what feels like a thousand years. He's been stuck in this endless cycle for so long that he doesn't remember what his life was like before time stopped moving forward. He doesn't remember his parents' faces or what he used to do for a living. The only reason he remembers his own name is because it's printed on his Oregon State driver's license. When a woman named January enters his life, Karl learns that he isn't the only one trapped in the time loop. In fact, the majority of the population has been repeating the same day just as he has been for hundreds of years. While Karl was hiding isolated in his suburban home, a whole new world was being built just outside his door. Society has adapted to repeating. Strange laws have been implemented. A new memory-based currency has been put into place. But there's something not quite right about the new repeating government. Karl doesn't understand why those in charge have no interest in trying to fix their situation. He doesn't doesn't understand why going into the neverday--that time period that only exists if you stay awake all night to avoid repetition--is considered the worst possible crime that anyone can commit. With the help of others who share in his suspicions, Karl plans to find out exactly what is being hidden from them, even if it destroys the very fabric of their society forever.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2020
24 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
Carlton Mellick III
119 books2,168 followersCarlton Mellick III (July 2, 1977, Phoenix, Arizona) is an American author currently residing in Portland, Oregon. He calls his style of writing "avant-punk," and is currently one of the leading authors in the recent 'Bizarro' movement in underground literature[citation needed] with Steve Aylett, Chris Genoa and D. Harlan Wilson.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
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June 16, 2020
⏰⏰ 𝙁𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙐𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘼 𝘽𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙤 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠, 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 ⏰⏰
This book explores how society would need to adapt if everyone was forced to live the same day over and over.
𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘭'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘏𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘰𝘯 (That's not the uplifting part!) 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵/𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥.
I enjoyed this book about how people cope when their future is impossible. There's a lot of details that society would need to deal with ( like how can someone who commits a crime be punished when jails are no longer practical? The prisoner would just wake up in their own bed during the reset) and CMIII does a great job exploring all those details! This book is weird, funny, weird again, and sometimes frightening.
Then what happens if someone does a bunch of cocaine to stay awake and explore Tomorrow? There's a reason that's illegal!
This book explores how society would need to adapt if everyone was forced to live the same day over and over.
𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘭'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘏𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘰𝘯 (That's not the uplifting part!) 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵/𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥.
I enjoyed this book about how people cope when their future is impossible. There's a lot of details that society would need to deal with ( like how can someone who commits a crime be punished when jails are no longer practical? The prisoner would just wake up in their own bed during the reset) and CMIII does a great job exploring all those details! This book is weird, funny, weird again, and sometimes frightening.
Then what happens if someone does a bunch of cocaine to stay awake and explore Tomorrow? There's a reason that's illegal!
September 11, 2018
Mellick has the uncanny ability to take the most outrageous ideas and turn them into concise, easy-to-follow stories that never fail to entertain and delight me. And this spin on the ‘Groundhog Day’ trope is no different, offering up all sorts of fun, weird surprises along the way. My only complaint is that I like it so much that I wish it were longer.
January 4, 2023
Help! We're stuck inside an eddy in time. Eddy is really pissed.
If there's one thing that Carlton Mellick III is, it's original...and different! This novella is no exception. Yes, I hear you all thinking, "But time loops - Groundhog Days - have been done to death". (I hear your thoughts. That's scary.) This is true, but CM3 takes it to another level (is that a pun?).
What if we're stuck in a time loop, and then others start "waking up", meaning they become aware of their situation? This opens up an opportunity to explore things a bit. Rob a bank, spend every cent you have, don't wash the car, shoot your neighbour's annoying dog, shoot your neighbour, shoot yourself. Doesn't matter. You'll just wake up and it'll still be Tuesday all over again. Think of the money you'll save not having to buy a calendar. But CM3 explores this with a surprising twist...of course.
He has an "easy-reading" writing style, and his plot is memorable and thought-provoking. The ending was a little flat for me. I was hoping for more, but overall, I still liked this book a lot ... AND ... unlike The Haunted Vagina or The Baby Jesus Butt Plug you can read this on the bus without being worried about people seeing the title...and tittering behind your back...or giving you that "you pervert" look.
EDIT: Oops. I started a sentence with a conjunction. All fixed. I know you can do that these days, but old habits...
If there's one thing that Carlton Mellick III is, it's original...and different! This novella is no exception. Yes, I hear you all thinking, "But time loops - Groundhog Days - have been done to death". (I hear your thoughts. That's scary.) This is true, but CM3 takes it to another level (is that a pun?).
What if we're stuck in a time loop, and then others start "waking up", meaning they become aware of their situation? This opens up an opportunity to explore things a bit. Rob a bank, spend every cent you have, don't wash the car, shoot your neighbour's annoying dog, shoot your neighbour, shoot yourself. Doesn't matter. You'll just wake up and it'll still be Tuesday all over again. Think of the money you'll save not having to buy a calendar. But CM3 explores this with a surprising twist...of course.
He has an "easy-reading" writing style, and his plot is memorable and thought-provoking. The ending was a little flat for me. I was hoping for more, but overall, I still liked this book a lot ... AND ... unlike The Haunted Vagina or The Baby Jesus Butt Plug you can read this on the bus without being worried about people seeing the title...and tittering behind your back...or giving you that "you pervert" look.
EDIT: Oops. I started a sentence with a conjunction. All fixed. I know you can do that these days, but old habits...
December 27, 2018
I just buddy read this one with my friend Emily and I owe her a sincere thank you for introducing me to Mellick and Bizzaro in general. She sent me Stacking Doll for my birthday, and I loved that one too. Actually, I think I may like this one even more.
This is Groundhog Day, but instead of one poor, hapless guy living the same day forever, it's the entire world. Not everyone is "awake" meaning living in a loop, but those who are have to attend an orientation course and then many are assigned to therapy. As you can imagine, whatever state you are in when you start looping is the same state you live in for eternity, so for a lot of people life becomes a living hell. And you can't kill yourself. Well, you can, but you're just going to reset the next day anyway. Regardless, the new world has rules, and the number one rule is that you never enter the Neverday. And every person is monitored.
This is only my second read by Mellick, and now I'm hooked. He takes his stories to places that never occur to me, and I love that. Sometimes I feel like I read so much that books become way too predictable. Either that, or I try to hard to unravel the mystery as I read. It's nearly impossible to do that with a book by Mellick. This one is such an interesting story, that I easily read it in a single sitting. My only complaint is that I wanted more. The story ends rather abruptly, but honestly, how else would you end a story about people who will never die? If you are new to Mellick this is the perfect introduction. I highly recommend it.
This is Groundhog Day, but instead of one poor, hapless guy living the same day forever, it's the entire world. Not everyone is "awake" meaning living in a loop, but those who are have to attend an orientation course and then many are assigned to therapy. As you can imagine, whatever state you are in when you start looping is the same state you live in for eternity, so for a lot of people life becomes a living hell. And you can't kill yourself. Well, you can, but you're just going to reset the next day anyway. Regardless, the new world has rules, and the number one rule is that you never enter the Neverday. And every person is monitored.
This is only my second read by Mellick, and now I'm hooked. He takes his stories to places that never occur to me, and I love that. Sometimes I feel like I read so much that books become way too predictable. Either that, or I try to hard to unravel the mystery as I read. It's nearly impossible to do that with a book by Mellick. This one is such an interesting story, that I easily read it in a single sitting. My only complaint is that I wanted more. The story ends rather abruptly, but honestly, how else would you end a story about people who will never die? If you are new to Mellick this is the perfect introduction. I highly recommend it.
December 30, 2018
"It's all very exciting."
Neverday was my second Carlton Mellick III book, and I buddy read this one with my friend Mindi. Once again, I am so impressed with his storytelling ability, creativity, and characterization. His novellas are pretty small, and he has a gift for packing them full of amazing content.
This book was so stressful in the best way - it was very easy to get invested in the story and characters, and I really had no idea what was going to happen. It reminded me of the early episodes of Last Man on Earth, but obviously set in a bizarro universe.
I could have read a full novel of this story - I feel like there's so much to dive into here, and the novella format really left me wanting more. I hope that Mellick comes back to this universe and the characters. I really liked January.
This is a bizarro book, but there are some horror, sci-fi, and dystopian elements going on here. I've read some amazing bizarro stories this year, and Neverday is definitely one of them. It has a lot to offer for different types of readers. While it's a weird book, it has a lot of heart. This might be a good intro to bizarro since it's not as unsettling as some of the others I've read.
Neverday has some surprising twists that I was not expecting, and I loved trying to guess what was going on (I was always wrong). The ending may be a bit divisive among readers, but I liked it.
I can't recommend this book enough. It's going to stick with me for a bit, and it ended up sneaking onto my favorite books of the year list. Don't miss out on this one!
Neverday was my second Carlton Mellick III book, and I buddy read this one with my friend Mindi. Once again, I am so impressed with his storytelling ability, creativity, and characterization. His novellas are pretty small, and he has a gift for packing them full of amazing content.
This book was so stressful in the best way - it was very easy to get invested in the story and characters, and I really had no idea what was going to happen. It reminded me of the early episodes of Last Man on Earth, but obviously set in a bizarro universe.
I could have read a full novel of this story - I feel like there's so much to dive into here, and the novella format really left me wanting more. I hope that Mellick comes back to this universe and the characters. I really liked January.
This is a bizarro book, but there are some horror, sci-fi, and dystopian elements going on here. I've read some amazing bizarro stories this year, and Neverday is definitely one of them. It has a lot to offer for different types of readers. While it's a weird book, it has a lot of heart. This might be a good intro to bizarro since it's not as unsettling as some of the others I've read.
Neverday has some surprising twists that I was not expecting, and I loved trying to guess what was going on (I was always wrong). The ending may be a bit divisive among readers, but I liked it.
I can't recommend this book enough. It's going to stick with me for a bit, and it ended up sneaking onto my favorite books of the year list. Don't miss out on this one!
February 14, 2024
Al empezar conocemos a Karl Lybeck y su rutina al despertarse, que termina en su parte favorita del día, el suicidio. Posteriormente, se nos presenta a la otra protagonista, January, que despierta sorprendida por cómo actúa su novio, que parece está intentado huir precipitadamente sin dar explicaciones. Pero January quiere saber qué está sucediendo y se embarca con él en una persecución en coche que acaba con ambos muertos. Sin embargo, January despierta de nuevo recordando todo lo acontecido.
Estupenda novela corta de ciencia ficción distópica de Carlton Mellick III, el gran abanderado de la literatura bizarra, con una historia que bebe de ‘Atrapado en el tiempo’ y ‘Al filo del mañana’, como bien indica el autor el la introducción.
Pero Carlton va más allá. Aquí no se repite el mismo día para un único personaje, sino para toda la humanidad. Hay personas que llevan reviviendo el mismo día cientos de años, e incluso miles, como Karl, aunque no recuerda nada. Están los durmientes, que todavía no se han percatado de que viven en el 17 de abril de 2017, y los despiertos, como January, que acaban de enterarse. Existe un centro de terapia para intentar ayudar a los recién despertados a sobrellevar la situación, y aquí el autor maneja ideas muy interesantes, ya que hay una embarazada de nueve meses que despierta siempre sabiendo que nunca conocerá a su bebé, siempre agotada y con sueño. O un hombre con resaca, que sufrirá durante todo el día. O un escritor, que nunca volverá a publicar un libro, aunque podría escribir en línea el libro cada día, ya que escritor y lectores no olvidan. Pero hay una advertencia, algo totalmente prohibido: bajo ningún concepto, nadie puede quedarse despierto para saber qué sucede al día siguiente y posteriores en lo que se ha dado en llamar el día de nunca jamás, Neverday.
Carlton Mellick III nos arrastra en una lectura trepidante, con giro tras giro tras giro. Nunca sabes que está por venir, y eso es muy divertido. El final es abrupto, pero no importa, el viaje vale la pena.
Estupenda novela corta de ciencia ficción distópica de Carlton Mellick III, el gran abanderado de la literatura bizarra, con una historia que bebe de ‘Atrapado en el tiempo’ y ‘Al filo del mañana’, como bien indica el autor el la introducción.
Pero Carlton va más allá. Aquí no se repite el mismo día para un único personaje, sino para toda la humanidad. Hay personas que llevan reviviendo el mismo día cientos de años, e incluso miles, como Karl, aunque no recuerda nada. Están los durmientes, que todavía no se han percatado de que viven en el 17 de abril de 2017, y los despiertos, como January, que acaban de enterarse. Existe un centro de terapia para intentar ayudar a los recién despertados a sobrellevar la situación, y aquí el autor maneja ideas muy interesantes, ya que hay una embarazada de nueve meses que despierta siempre sabiendo que nunca conocerá a su bebé, siempre agotada y con sueño. O un hombre con resaca, que sufrirá durante todo el día. O un escritor, que nunca volverá a publicar un libro, aunque podría escribir en línea el libro cada día, ya que escritor y lectores no olvidan. Pero hay una advertencia, algo totalmente prohibido: bajo ningún concepto, nadie puede quedarse despierto para saber qué sucede al día siguiente y posteriores en lo que se ha dado en llamar el día de nunca jamás, Neverday.
Carlton Mellick III nos arrastra en una lectura trepidante, con giro tras giro tras giro. Nunca sabes que está por venir, y eso es muy divertido. El final es abrupto, pero no importa, el viaje vale la pena.
February 17, 2021
Neverday was quite a good read and I had a lot of fun and some laughing out loud moments :-)
I guess this is not that much a representative book of the bizarro genre because I don't see what it has that special about it but I'm gonna choose another book by Mellick to continue my decovery of the genre.
I was utterly pleased by this book and would recommend without hesitation (which I already did to a friend of mine, btw).
I guess this is not that much a representative book of the bizarro genre because I don't see what it has that special about it but I'm gonna choose another book by Mellick to continue my decovery of the genre.
I was utterly pleased by this book and would recommend without hesitation (which I already did to a friend of mine, btw).
December 1, 2025
4 stars on the Mellick scale. I'm a sucker for time loop stories, so I really enjoyed this one (despite the somewhat weak ending).
March 19, 2022
This is my second Carlton book and I have to ask, why didn’t anyone ever tell me about this genre before? This is so much up my alley.
This one deals with time loops. I for one, love love time loops and this book got more and more interesting the more I dove in.
It was perfect. Especially in this state of the world. It could for sure put a smile on your face.
This one deals with time loops. I for one, love love time loops and this book got more and more interesting the more I dove in.
It was perfect. Especially in this state of the world. It could for sure put a smile on your face.
August 22, 2018
I thoroughly loved this book until I read the last chapter. The ending felt abrupt. Just as I was getting even more into the book than I had been the first two-thirds, it just ended. I'm trying to say I wanted to explore deeper into the Neverday with January and her team. Like January, I wanted to know firsthand if an answer were out there, or if it were just a dream. Lybek, who has spent more time that anyone in the Neverday, says the idea of finding an answer is simply a fool's dream. Fair enough. But I want to experience that discovery alongside January.
I really loved Neverday. I'm a sucker for Groundhog's Day style stories, especially novels. This is a great book. But I really wish it were longer (and I rarely say this). Without expanding the book, the current ending leaves me real bummed.
I really loved Neverday. I'm a sucker for Groundhog's Day style stories, especially novels. This is a great book. But I really wish it were longer (and I rarely say this). Without expanding the book, the current ending leaves me real bummed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2021
In my neverending journey reading book after book, these are the kind of stories that I look for and rarely find. A fascinating world with an interesting premise that is also executed correctly without having me lose interest at any point.
I loved this book. I just wish that Carlton Mellick III wrote more novels like this one and dropped all of the wacky bizarro loli-pop headed, fairy wings make out of swizz cheese shit, because he's a master at creating a captivating premise that is fun to read.
I don't have much more to say about this book right now, but I recommended "Neverday" to all of you'se out there and I look forward to making a full video review for this one.
This book gets a rare 4/5 stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For in-depth video reviews, please subscribe to my YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/c/UptownHorrorRev...
I loved this book. I just wish that Carlton Mellick III wrote more novels like this one and dropped all of the wacky bizarro loli-pop headed, fairy wings make out of swizz cheese shit, because he's a master at creating a captivating premise that is fun to read.
I don't have much more to say about this book right now, but I recommended "Neverday" to all of you'se out there and I look forward to making a full video review for this one.
This book gets a rare 4/5 stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For in-depth video reviews, please subscribe to my YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/c/UptownHorrorRev...
December 2, 2024
This is not a great representation of the bizarro genre, or even CM3’s work specifically, but it's still a very good novel. There are no “tank tornadoes and chainsaw crabs” present in the story, but he does put a unique spin on the time loop idea. He's played with time loops before in The Terrible Thing That Happens, although the tone and overall narrative structures of each book have very little in common.
If anything, it's most comparable to my favorite of CM3’s work, The Big Meat, mostly because it doesn't feel like much of a bizarro novel at all. Yes, some bizarre things do happen, but they're definitely on the more “normal” end of the bizarro spectrum, with books like The Baby Jesus Butt Plug being on the other end, far into the shadow realm where most readers dare not tread.
If anything, it's most comparable to my favorite of CM3’s work, The Big Meat, mostly because it doesn't feel like much of a bizarro novel at all. Yes, some bizarre things do happen, but they're definitely on the more “normal” end of the bizarro spectrum, with books like The Baby Jesus Butt Plug being on the other end, far into the shadow realm where most readers dare not tread.
July 16, 2018
I just finished reading "Neverday" and loved it. It usually takes me no more than a day to finish any of Mellick's books, even when I'm busy. They read quickly and are tough to put down.
"Neverday" is a new take on the repeating day trope, only in this story, it's not just one person living the same day over and over, but the entire world. It's one part "Groundhog Day" and one part "The Langoliers," and all Mellick. Society has adapted to the day repeating, creating as much of a semblance of time continuing as possible, but the real story happens beyond the repeating day of April 17, 2017, into the hours, days, and even years called the "Neverday." What happens beyond April 17, and why is it such a crime to stay awake? You'll have to read the book to find out.
The book is a commentary on modern society, and a bit of a parable, but the message isn't heavy-handed. Over all this is a fascinating read. Highly recommended.
"Neverday" is a new take on the repeating day trope, only in this story, it's not just one person living the same day over and over, but the entire world. It's one part "Groundhog Day" and one part "The Langoliers," and all Mellick. Society has adapted to the day repeating, creating as much of a semblance of time continuing as possible, but the real story happens beyond the repeating day of April 17, 2017, into the hours, days, and even years called the "Neverday." What happens beyond April 17, and why is it such a crime to stay awake? You'll have to read the book to find out.
The book is a commentary on modern society, and a bit of a parable, but the message isn't heavy-handed. Over all this is a fascinating read. Highly recommended.
July 10, 2021
Everything by CM3 (Mellick) is amazing. I get a sort of a less psychedelic Tom Robbins vibe from his books. Which is a high compliment in my world.
Neverday is a fun run at the "Groundhog's Day" troupe. However, CM3 doesn't go the route so many have gone before and gives a wholly unique experience in familiar territory. My only gripe is it is too short, I feel the story had more to tell when it ended.
Neverday is a fun run at the "Groundhog's Day" troupe. However, CM3 doesn't go the route so many have gone before and gives a wholly unique experience in familiar territory. My only gripe is it is too short, I feel the story had more to tell when it ended.
August 27, 2021
Delightful, as always! Mellick is so good at building bizarre worlds in just a few pages, and does it here with a time loop premise that could have been hard to follow but somehow wasn’t. I loved exploring all the large and small implications of multiple people looping. It goes into some less interesting territory later, but is still fun to read and ends with a few rapid-fire truth bombs that are simultaneously depressing and uplifting.
November 27, 2018
To be honest, I'm pretty sure I gave this 4/5 stars instead of 5/5 stars out of pure selfishness. Maybe I read the book too fast? Maybe it's so good that I just need more? I don't know. It was fantastic, and I'm usually opposed to time-related stories. Highly recommend to fans of Lovecraft, time-loops, and (obviously) bizarro.
May 17, 2019
Starts off slow. Interesting idea. Ends quickly. Leaves you with questions.
June 24, 2020
I'm not a fan of repeat stories
But this isn't normal. I like the idea of the Never day, and the interesting secret that hides there. This is a fun easy read.
But this isn't normal. I like the idea of the Never day, and the interesting secret that hides there. This is a fun easy read.
March 31, 2021
It was just okay, I didn't hate but I didn't love it either.
May 9, 2022
This book was recommended to me in the Books of Horror Facebook group. this is the 3rd book in bizzaro fiction I have read and a first from Carlton Mellick III. They say "Don't judge a book by it's cover". That is absolutely the case here. From the cover I got a cartoonish not to be taken seriously impression, I couldn't have been more wrong. Of all the books that I have ever read this one is in my personal top 10 that I would love to see made into a movie or a multi episode series. Dealing with time loops can be tricky and more often than not are a Sci Fi subject that tends to get technical and boring the longer the story goes along. That is not the case here, keeping the story more focused on the people and less on the science made this a wonderful read. Delving into the mental aspects of reliving the same day over and over again Carlton shows us what we have only seen touched on in Groundhog Day. Carlton opens up your brain with a melon baller and shows you the consequences of what immortality could be. If you have never read bizzaro this is the perfect book for you to start on and I cannot wait to read more from Mellick in the future.
November 5, 2020
Solid story with a fun premise. It felt like it faded away at the end a little and i guess I would have liked it to go longer, perhaps even jumping ahead. The part I struggled to buy was the way society would still continue to use money and bank accounts. I couldn't believe the fact that people would be able to memorise hundreds (or thousands) of personal details and continue to pay people. In my opinion the world would have more ongoing chaos. I liked the characters arcs and the hints towards what so many people were going through. Maybe this would have worked better if less than 70% of the population were awake. Don't know. Mostly, would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2018
Everyone’s living a Groundhog Day and society must adapt to a world where there’s no future. The adaptions people make to incentivize good behavior and discourage bad behavior are ingenious. But what’s even more fascinating is the unique personal hells experienced by people who happened to be sick, hungover or pregnant when the time loop began. Ditto the effect on artists—being forced to confront the impermanence of all art in such a visceral way was particularly distressing to me.
March 19, 2021
It was good. I liked it a lot. Very thoughtful and inventive. Made me think. A nice philosophical bend at the end. Exciting in the beginning and middle, well, exciting for most of the book.
Well done, Carl.
Well done, Carl.
July 31, 2021
I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK until the last chapter...
i was hooked from the first page. i mean, an endless time loop in which one of the main characters kills himself over and over because he is sure he is the only one going through this? heck yeah!
then we meet January and Jason and I'm like, yo what is goin on here? like.. super cool and intense car chase and what not. i was super into this. reading into the wee hours of the night just to get a little more under my belt.
and then...it just...ended... there was no resolution, no answers really. honestly, i had more questions coming out of the book than going in. like Stockman? what was going on with that guy? I don't want to give too much away, i'm just sad that this ended so abruptly. while the last chapter was somewhat uplifting, it just felt...off..like you just got to a really good point in the story and then boom we done? UGH.
anyway, i liked most of this book and the reason it is getting 3 instead of 4 stars is because of it's abrupt ending. READ IT THOUGH!
i was hooked from the first page. i mean, an endless time loop in which one of the main characters kills himself over and over because he is sure he is the only one going through this? heck yeah!
then we meet January and Jason and I'm like, yo what is goin on here? like.. super cool and intense car chase and what not. i was super into this. reading into the wee hours of the night just to get a little more under my belt.
and then...it just...ended... there was no resolution, no answers really. honestly, i had more questions coming out of the book than going in. like Stockman? what was going on with that guy? I don't want to give too much away, i'm just sad that this ended so abruptly. while the last chapter was somewhat uplifting, it just felt...off..like you just got to a really good point in the story and then boom we done? UGH.
anyway, i liked most of this book and the reason it is getting 3 instead of 4 stars is because of it's abrupt ending. READ IT THOUGH!
December 6, 2022
This is an off-brand book for Mellick, who usually writes bizarro titles with shock value like Baby Jesus Butt Plug, and many others with curse words in the title. Those books are also good in their own way, some.
This one was a 5 star book, despite stealing the basic premise from Groundhog Day. It built a lot of character development and plot into a novella. It crashed to a 3 star book with the cop-out ending.
This one was a 5 star book, despite stealing the basic premise from Groundhog Day. It built a lot of character development and plot into a novella. It crashed to a 3 star book with the cop-out ending.
July 13, 2018
Another classic from Carlton mellick. Would of liked it to be about longer.
June 13, 2022
This is Mellick's book I have enjoyed the least so far. The premise is very recurrent in audiovisual arts, which is not a problem for me. What I miss is the twisted and sick situations and characters on which other books by this author are based. In this case, we have some sort of intrigue about what is going on with the loop, but that is all. The characters and their interactions are rather plain, while the story seems to be extended with no clear purpose. Still, CM3's style is so fluid and funny that it is really hard to stop reading.
June 9, 2022
Once again, Carlton delves into the human psyche, clothing it with bizarro garments. What would happen if you repeated the same day, every day, forever, and there was no escape? What if it was the entire world that was doing it?
December 9, 2023
Nice enough but it didn't feel like a Carlton Mellick III.
Half way through you still believed it was just a "normal" story without all the crazy you are used to from all the other books.
Half way through you still believed it was just a "normal" story without all the crazy you are used to from all the other books.
September 25, 2025
3.5 ✨ I definitely understood the message of this one but found it to be sort of slow/boring compared to others by this author. This one might just not have been for me. Although I’m still enjoying this authors work a lot!
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