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Slade: The Fine Line Between Self-Help and Cults
An unlikely celebrity with a self-help book becomes a reluctant spiritual guru to the Hollywood elite, spawning a cult he wants nothing to do with.
“...a unique attempt, using an unusual style and format, to pinpoint and highlight both the light and dark sides of the human psyche. Slade is an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking story... This is a fantastic book on many levels and I can highly recommend it.” ~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Grant Leishman (5 Stars)
GOLD Reader Reader's Choice Awards – 2023 - All Fiction (Chosen from 23 Category Winners)GOLD Feathered Quill Book Awards – 2023 – Adult Fiction Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Fall 2022 – Best Literary Fiction~
A car crash thirty years earlier left Slade Bennington severely disabled but with a new outlook on life. His book about overcoming trauma becomes a bestseller and a box office hit movie. Slade strikes up an unusual friendship with Schuyler, the six-foot-tall teenage actress who portrays his sister in the movie. She encourages him to continue writing, and his pithy musings about life spur a nationwide following of devotees who study his books like Holy Scriptures.
Slade becomes a counselor to the celebrity in-crowd—the Shaman to the Stars. While thousands adore Slade, others call him a Svengali or Rasputin-like character who controls and manipulates his clients.
One disillusioned fan spends years plotting revenge.
EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS an offbeat literary/satire novel that unfolds in a series of interviews with the main character and those who know him best, plus snippets from Slade’s books and news reports. The unconventional structure, dark humor, and cast of quirky characters will appeal to readers of Chuck Palahniuk and John Irving. Brought to you by the author of such award-winning greats as Hannah’s Voice, Carry Me Away, and Turning Trixie. [DRM-Free]
“...a unique attempt, using an unusual style and format, to pinpoint and highlight both the light and dark sides of the human psyche. Slade is an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking story... This is a fantastic book on many levels and I can highly recommend it.” ~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Grant Leishman (5 Stars)
GOLD Reader Reader's Choice Awards – 2023 - All Fiction (Chosen from 23 Category Winners)GOLD Feathered Quill Book Awards – 2023 – Adult Fiction Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Fall 2022 – Best Literary Fiction~
A car crash thirty years earlier left Slade Bennington severely disabled but with a new outlook on life. His book about overcoming trauma becomes a bestseller and a box office hit movie. Slade strikes up an unusual friendship with Schuyler, the six-foot-tall teenage actress who portrays his sister in the movie. She encourages him to continue writing, and his pithy musings about life spur a nationwide following of devotees who study his books like Holy Scriptures.
Slade becomes a counselor to the celebrity in-crowd—the Shaman to the Stars. While thousands adore Slade, others call him a Svengali or Rasputin-like character who controls and manipulates his clients.
One disillusioned fan spends years plotting revenge.
EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS an offbeat literary/satire novel that unfolds in a series of interviews with the main character and those who know him best, plus snippets from Slade’s books and news reports. The unconventional structure, dark humor, and cast of quirky characters will appeal to readers of Chuck Palahniuk and John Irving. Brought to you by the author of such award-winning greats as Hannah’s Voice, Carry Me Away, and Turning Trixie. [DRM-Free]
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2022
16 people want to read
About the author
Robb Grindstaff
38 books70 followersIn addition to a career as a newspaper editor, publisher, and manager, Robb Grindstaff has written fiction most of his life. The newspaper biz has taken him and his family from Phoenix, Arizona, to small towns in North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin, from seven years in Washington, D.C., to five years in Asia. Born and raised a small-town kid, he’s as comfortable in Tokyo or Tuna, Texas.
The variety of places he’s lived and visited serve as settings for the characters who invade his head.
His novels are probably best classified as contemporary southern lit, and he’s had more than a dozen short stories published in a wide array of genres. His articles on the craft of fiction writing have appeared in various writer magazines and websites, and one of his seminars was presented at the Sydney (Australia) Writers Festival. He also has taught writing courses for the Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of Australia, and Savvy Authors.
Robb retired from the newspaper business in the summer of 2020 to write and edit fiction full time. He and his wife relocated to the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.
Robb also edits fiction and non-fiction books for authors from around the world. It helps that he's fluent in five languages: U.S. English, UK English, Canadian English, and Australian English, plus his native language, Texan.
The variety of places he’s lived and visited serve as settings for the characters who invade his head.
His novels are probably best classified as contemporary southern lit, and he’s had more than a dozen short stories published in a wide array of genres. His articles on the craft of fiction writing have appeared in various writer magazines and websites, and one of his seminars was presented at the Sydney (Australia) Writers Festival. He also has taught writing courses for the Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of Australia, and Savvy Authors.
Robb retired from the newspaper business in the summer of 2020 to write and edit fiction full time. He and his wife relocated to the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.
Robb also edits fiction and non-fiction books for authors from around the world. It helps that he's fluent in five languages: U.S. English, UK English, Canadian English, and Australian English, plus his native language, Texan.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 13, 2022
This irreverent, clever, and uniquely crafted novel examines the life of protagonist Slade Bennington before and after a traumatic accident that catapults him to fame and fortune. Written as a series of interviews, Slade and other quirky characters close to him respond to the interviewer’s questions with often conflicting perspectives. A modest man, Slade seeks only to understand the second chance he’s given after a miraculous recovery and writes a book to share his rebirth’s lessons. Millions grab hold of his story and make it their own, sometimes with disastrous results.
Is Slade a true guru with the answer to the meaning of life, or is he a Svengali deviously manipulating gullible wealthy people? The author wisely leaves it to the reader to resolve the answer for themself. This masterful novel explores religious views, our media culture, and a man’s attempt to do good in the world that results in unintended consequences. It is well worth a second or even third peruse. I look forward to reading other books by Robb Grindstaff.
Is Slade a true guru with the answer to the meaning of life, or is he a Svengali deviously manipulating gullible wealthy people? The author wisely leaves it to the reader to resolve the answer for themself. This masterful novel explores religious views, our media culture, and a man’s attempt to do good in the world that results in unintended consequences. It is well worth a second or even third peruse. I look forward to reading other books by Robb Grindstaff.
February 25, 2023
“Slade: The Fine Line Between Self-Help and Cults” by Robb Grindstaff is a powerful novel written in a unique format that slowly seduces the reader, enticing them to search deep within themselves as they piece together the scraps of information to discover the true soul of a man.
Having taken all he could withstand, teenage Slade Bennington leaves his neglectful drug-addict mother to live independently. After a short period, he gains custody of his little sister Jolene. Jolene, requiring medical care, asks Slade to accompany her to the hospital, but while en route, Slade loses control of the car, killing his little sister and disfiguring him beyond recognition. Once Slade awakens from the coma, he gains a new perspective on life, stating he “died and has been born again.”
As a double amputee with only one eye and horrible burn scars, Slade struggles with his feelings and begins to journal the details from the night of the accident. These journals piqued a publisher’s interest, a movie deal, and an enormous fan following. This new outlook on life Slade has is contagious, and everyone wants what he has. Slade, with the help of his actress wife, takes the world by storm and creates a whirlwind of a money-making motivational dynasty, charging thousands of dollars for life coaching to his believers. Fans lovingly deem Slade the “shaman to the stars,” but critics accuse him of being a brainwashing shyster. Shyster or Shaman is up to you, the reader, to decide who exactly Slade Bennington is behind his horrible scars.
Robb Grindstaff has penned a distinctive, praiseworthy novel that consists of a series of interviews and news article clippings. I found this writing style refreshing. The interview method creatively allowed a much deeper character-reader relationship. Slowly, details about Slade and the people surrounding him were laid out like breadcrumbs to discover. As the puzzle pieces began to form a picture of Slade’s true self, WHAM, my theory was blown to smithereens by a jaw-dropping twist to the story. Scooping my jaw off the floor, I continued searching for the details behind the shocking blow, only to be side-swiped again. Slade by Robb Grindstaff is a not-to-be-missed novel that I am confident will become a bestseller for years to come.
Having taken all he could withstand, teenage Slade Bennington leaves his neglectful drug-addict mother to live independently. After a short period, he gains custody of his little sister Jolene. Jolene, requiring medical care, asks Slade to accompany her to the hospital, but while en route, Slade loses control of the car, killing his little sister and disfiguring him beyond recognition. Once Slade awakens from the coma, he gains a new perspective on life, stating he “died and has been born again.”
As a double amputee with only one eye and horrible burn scars, Slade struggles with his feelings and begins to journal the details from the night of the accident. These journals piqued a publisher’s interest, a movie deal, and an enormous fan following. This new outlook on life Slade has is contagious, and everyone wants what he has. Slade, with the help of his actress wife, takes the world by storm and creates a whirlwind of a money-making motivational dynasty, charging thousands of dollars for life coaching to his believers. Fans lovingly deem Slade the “shaman to the stars,” but critics accuse him of being a brainwashing shyster. Shyster or Shaman is up to you, the reader, to decide who exactly Slade Bennington is behind his horrible scars.
Robb Grindstaff has penned a distinctive, praiseworthy novel that consists of a series of interviews and news article clippings. I found this writing style refreshing. The interview method creatively allowed a much deeper character-reader relationship. Slowly, details about Slade and the people surrounding him were laid out like breadcrumbs to discover. As the puzzle pieces began to form a picture of Slade’s true self, WHAM, my theory was blown to smithereens by a jaw-dropping twist to the story. Scooping my jaw off the floor, I continued searching for the details behind the shocking blow, only to be side-swiped again. Slade by Robb Grindstaff is a not-to-be-missed novel that I am confident will become a bestseller for years to come.
March 14, 2023
A compelling story. A page turner. Thought provoking. An emotional ride with compelling characters. I couldn’t put Slade down.
July 25, 2023
I looked at the reviews and I know I will not be as eloquent. I really liked this book and would recommend to other readers. The writing style was very refreshing.
March 1, 2023
I loved this book. The unique style was a great break from traditional novels. A great exploration between religion, philosophy and consumerism. I'm left to ponder my beliefs and what is perhaps hype. Really great read, one of those that steals your weekend because you don't want to put it down.
June 29, 2023
I love a good gritty Southern Gothic, and this was that -- but with an interesting injection of celebrity, while staying rooted in family. I listened to it on a long drive and it was the perfect fit. Intriguing characters, none totally innocent or wholly bad, in unexpected and interesting events. The interview format enabled backstory to build the characters as the story progressed. Highly recommend.
October 10, 2024
Wow, But No Spoilers
At first I wasn't sure the style of this book was for me, but, as usual Grindstaff pulled me in, and then shocked me with the climax. I actually gasped and scared my husband. Fantastic, genuine characters as usual. Loved it!
At first I wasn't sure the style of this book was for me, but, as usual Grindstaff pulled me in, and then shocked me with the climax. I actually gasped and scared my husband. Fantastic, genuine characters as usual. Loved it!
June 1, 2025
Slade Bennington, an amputee and burn victim, tells his life story and develops quite a following and a famous wife. The story is told through a series of interviews and news reports. Interesting approach and strong characters.
February 14, 2023
Incredible. Trust me. Read it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews