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Stickless
A novella of absurd and surreal dread. In a world where the clothes and accessories you are born wearing determine your social status and worth, Starla is one of the stickless, the lowest of the low. She has been magically banished to the mythical Vanish—a winding, eons-old prison littered with the corpses of its previous prisoners. Deposited with a misfit group of unfriendly companions in which she is seen as the most inferior member, she must fight to escape both devastating traps and deadly foes. But if she is to unlock the riddle of the Vanish and the mystery of the ancient goddess, the Abstract Woman, she must also face the dark, absurd prejudices of her companions and herself. “A brilliant journey through a labyrinth of misty hallways and dreamlike morality tests. A new kind of fable for a modern audience.” —Matt Hiebert, author of Blackhand
Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 20, 2024
A wonderfully unique adventure
What a fantastic book this is - I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a beautifully bizarre concept, but really rather excellent at conveying the core message of the story. I didn’t quite know what to expect when I picked it up, but I’m very glad I did pick it ip. It was refreshing, and an easy story to get into from start to finish.
Stickless follows the tale of Starla who finds herself in a rather abstract place called the Vanish. She lives in a world where people are labelled according to the clothes they wear, and Starla is stickless - which is perhaps the lowest social standing there is. In the Vanish she must battle through puzzles alongside her social superiors whilst also contending with the prejudices which are rampant in this world. Suffice to say that it’s not an easy path.
This is a very individual concept and perhaps a little disorientating at first, but it works fantastically well and the story flows beautifully. It is tough and thought provoking, but also funny in places which is a welcome relief. Recommended for, well, anyone to be honest!
What a fantastic book this is - I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a beautifully bizarre concept, but really rather excellent at conveying the core message of the story. I didn’t quite know what to expect when I picked it up, but I’m very glad I did pick it ip. It was refreshing, and an easy story to get into from start to finish.
Stickless follows the tale of Starla who finds herself in a rather abstract place called the Vanish. She lives in a world where people are labelled according to the clothes they wear, and Starla is stickless - which is perhaps the lowest social standing there is. In the Vanish she must battle through puzzles alongside her social superiors whilst also contending with the prejudices which are rampant in this world. Suffice to say that it’s not an easy path.
This is a very individual concept and perhaps a little disorientating at first, but it works fantastically well and the story flows beautifully. It is tough and thought provoking, but also funny in places which is a welcome relief. Recommended for, well, anyone to be honest!
October 20, 2023
Absurd and dreamlike, Stickless is a Grimm’s fairy tale from an alternate universe. As four characters travel deeper into a sort of labyrinth called “The Vanish,” they must go through allegorical trials and make moral choices along the way. Filled with eerie dread, Jim Hardison’s Stickless reminds me of Harlan Ellison’s famous story, “I have no mouth and I must scream.”
Hardison’s evocative writing style pulls you off the Earth and into the pages of this creepy novella, which can be read in one evening. This book is one that I would definitely love to read a second time and would highly recommend it to all ages. I’d love to be a fly on the wall in a high school literature class reading this book! If I could give it more than five stars, I would!
Hardison’s evocative writing style pulls you off the Earth and into the pages of this creepy novella, which can be read in one evening. This book is one that I would definitely love to read a second time and would highly recommend it to all ages. I’d love to be a fly on the wall in a high school literature class reading this book! If I could give it more than five stars, I would!
January 10, 2021
Extremely original and unique!
At first, I debated giving this one four stars. With categorizing people with names and clothing, I was a little confused at first. But I was immediately drawn with the modern twist of Perseus and the Labyrinth, with a hint of Christian theology and a bit of the urban legend of the back rooms. So, caught up in that, it quickly became a super page turner that I had to follow. It made the naming and role thing a lot easier to understand as I went. The ending had a little twist to it, and I really hope that means a sequel for this book. I will be looking forward to it.
At first, I debated giving this one four stars. With categorizing people with names and clothing, I was a little confused at first. But I was immediately drawn with the modern twist of Perseus and the Labyrinth, with a hint of Christian theology and a bit of the urban legend of the back rooms. So, caught up in that, it quickly became a super page turner that I had to follow. It made the naming and role thing a lot easier to understand as I went. The ending had a little twist to it, and I really hope that means a sequel for this book. I will be looking forward to it.
October 10, 2023
Absurd and dreamlike, Stickless is a Grimm’s fairy tale from an alternate universe. As four characters travel deeper into a sort of labyrinth called “The Vanish,” they must go through allegorical trials and make moral choices along the way. Jim Hardison’s Stickless reminds me of Harlan Ellison’s famous story, “I have no mouth and I must scream.” Hardison’s evocative writing style pulls you off the Earth and into the pages of this creepy novella, which can be read in one evening. This book is one that I would definitely love to read a second time and would highly recommend it to all ages, in particular to a high school literature class. If I could give it more than five stars, I would!
December 26, 2020
Unlike any other story
Stickless is a strange little story about a world where your social status is determined by what clothes you are born with. It's a world with strange rules where you worship a man named Greg and a strange woman. Where death is preferable to getting your shoes and socks wet. Where Starlas are worthless because they don't have a stick or shoes and socks.
I liked the fresh take on fairy tales. I won't give anything away but the message of the story at the end reminds me of wizard of oz and the moral is really good.
Stickless is a strange little story about a world where your social status is determined by what clothes you are born with. It's a world with strange rules where you worship a man named Greg and a strange woman. Where death is preferable to getting your shoes and socks wet. Where Starlas are worthless because they don't have a stick or shoes and socks.
I liked the fresh take on fairy tales. I won't give anything away but the message of the story at the end reminds me of wizard of oz and the moral is really good.
March 4, 2022
‘Stickless’ is a wonderful allegory on prejudice. On how we can all be prejudice against others without even realising it. How all of us... even those who are the subject of prejudice ourselves... can in turn judge others based solely on their appearance and what we’ve been taught about ‘that’ kind of person.
It’s also about what we can achieve if we put those prejudices aside and work together.
J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison’s writing is as strong and polished as ever. I can’t wait for my next foray into his world.
It’s also about what we can achieve if we put those prejudices aside and work together.
J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison’s writing is as strong and polished as ever. I can’t wait for my next foray into his world.
August 8, 2023
Hardison does a clever job of illustrating the prejudice people are born into with Stickless. The storyline is creative and original, though I was reminded of the "blue eyes/brown eyes" experiment I heard about many years ago. Something others perceive as a disadvantage of birth - in this case, the clothing and accessories they are born to. Missing a walking stick becomes the point of ridicule for Starla. This novella does an excellent job of creating a world where the idiocy of prejudice is made apparent to the reader,
December 24, 2023
Jim Hardison makes it blatantly obvious why the world is the way it is!
Stickless is a fun read! The character archetypes are great, very analogous to those who inhabit our planet. The Stickless Journey develops quickly, and the clues are flowing. Watching how the journey develops is really fun, my heart went out to the main character. Can’t say more as it will give away too much. Highly recommend giving Stickless a read!
Stickless is a fun read! The character archetypes are great, very analogous to those who inhabit our planet. The Stickless Journey develops quickly, and the clues are flowing. Watching how the journey develops is really fun, my heart went out to the main character. Can’t say more as it will give away too much. Highly recommend giving Stickless a read!
March 12, 2024
“Stickless” is a creative fantasy story. The characters are unique and imaginative. The difference in clothes of each group of people creates prejudice and harsh judgment among the group. The protagonist, Starla, rapidly developed into a complex person I cared about and rooted for. Their adventure kept me entertained and turning the pages.
Anyone who enjoys “Alice in Wonderland” or “Amazing Stories” will find plenty to love about this book. I feel it deserves a solid five out of five stars!
Anyone who enjoys “Alice in Wonderland” or “Amazing Stories” will find plenty to love about this book. I feel it deserves a solid five out of five stars!
February 17, 2024
Deadly puddles, killer hummingbirds, and bloodthirsty moths...Oh my!
This is one of the most unique stories I have read in a long time. One part Wizard of Oz, one part Alice in Wonderland, with a helping of Terry Gillum added for flair, this bizarre, yet understandable and relatable fable offers a fun time for anyone looking to drop down a literary rabbit hole.
This is one of the most unique stories I have read in a long time. One part Wizard of Oz, one part Alice in Wonderland, with a helping of Terry Gillum added for flair, this bizarre, yet understandable and relatable fable offers a fun time for anyone looking to drop down a literary rabbit hole.
May 26, 2024
Interesting and unusual read
Yes, it is truly a unique story.
When you start reading first pages, at first you might be confused on why there is so much attention drawn to characters appearance, and then things start to unfold.
Definitely a page turner and a very unusual yet captivating story.
Yes, it is truly a unique story.
When you start reading first pages, at first you might be confused on why there is so much attention drawn to characters appearance, and then things start to unfold.
Definitely a page turner and a very unusual yet captivating story.
December 27, 2020
Why can’t I put this down?
The description doesn’t lie. That was a crazy odd ride that just pulls you into insanity. It pulled me along till I finished it just to see where we are going!
The description doesn’t lie. That was a crazy odd ride that just pulls you into insanity. It pulled me along till I finished it just to see where we are going!
August 5, 2023
well written book
This book is so well written. I love the gestures added to the dialogue of the characters. Loved that. Also great great plot line. Great book. I recommend to everyone!!!!
This book is so well written. I love the gestures added to the dialogue of the characters. Loved that. Also great great plot line. Great book. I recommend to everyone!!!!
April 27, 2024
Creative fable
A fable written with a unique, engaging style that is both whimsical and dark. The story is spellbinding in that it draws the reader into a bizarre world unlike any other. Prayers to Gardener Greg, Little Greg and Abstract Woman mirror the Holy Trinity.
A fable written with a unique, engaging style that is both whimsical and dark. The story is spellbinding in that it draws the reader into a bizarre world unlike any other. Prayers to Gardener Greg, Little Greg and Abstract Woman mirror the Holy Trinity.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews