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Cloud Pictures
A book to read when you feel life isn't worth living.
When Martha Mud decides to throw herself off Suicide Bridge, the end she'd been expecting turns out anything but. Trapped without her body in a realm where nothing is what it appears and no-one can be trusted, Martha discovers that her choices are just as entangled with the people she thought she'd left behind as they were before she jumped. Can she find her way back to the land of the living without dying for real? And can she do it without hurting the ones she loves?
This book is for anyone who sometimes wonders what the point is, and for anyone else who simply loves an electrifying story.
When Martha Mud decides to throw herself off Suicide Bridge, the end she'd been expecting turns out anything but. Trapped without her body in a realm where nothing is what it appears and no-one can be trusted, Martha discovers that her choices are just as entangled with the people she thought she'd left behind as they were before she jumped. Can she find her way back to the land of the living without dying for real? And can she do it without hurting the ones she loves?
This book is for anyone who sometimes wonders what the point is, and for anyone else who simply loves an electrifying story.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2022
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 6, 2023
Wonderfully original. "Just an ordinary girl." Nope, Martha Mud is anything, but. Her unique writing style was indeed a breath of fresh air. The mix of narratives slides past, present, and 'the in-between, back and forth before the eyes of the reader to show the possibilities of a near-death experience by suicide. The story is gripping and thought provoking as the victim caught in the 'in-between', faces her past and her future. Highly recommend. Nora Wolfenbarger author of The Blackbird Series.
September 2, 2022
This is a story reminiscent of Her Lovely Bones and The Midnight Library, yet distinct from both. It starts with a catastrophe, an accident that causes near death. As near as you could be.
The narrative shifts, from present tense to a past tense autobiography style, where the MC, Martha, explains her out of body experience to her counsellor, looking back at her life. This narrative is woven skilfully, making great use of literary devices and neat dialogue.
The other narrative, the fantastical one, weaves us through a surreal afterlife or in between life, which somewhat resembles some mythological worlds, or perhaps a mix of many. As she navigates the new world that she has fallen into, she begins to make sense of her old world, the one she has left behind.
If you like a mix of narratives, a skilful split between present and past tense narratives and a surreal philosophical fantasy written in a literary style, this is for you.
The narrative shifts, from present tense to a past tense autobiography style, where the MC, Martha, explains her out of body experience to her counsellor, looking back at her life. This narrative is woven skilfully, making great use of literary devices and neat dialogue.
The other narrative, the fantastical one, weaves us through a surreal afterlife or in between life, which somewhat resembles some mythological worlds, or perhaps a mix of many. As she navigates the new world that she has fallen into, she begins to make sense of her old world, the one she has left behind.
If you like a mix of narratives, a skilful split between present and past tense narratives and a surreal philosophical fantasy written in a literary style, this is for you.
October 22, 2023
Beautifully Poignant And Uplifting - Martha Mud thinking her life is pointless throws herself off a bridge only to wake up in the realm of Air populated by powerful Beings who may or may not want to cause her harm. As she tries to get to grips with living in this new realm she gets to see her family and realizes that her life may not have been as pointless as it first seemed . But has that realization come too late? As she tries to get back into her body she finds that she has to protect her family from these powerful Beings but is she strong enough to do that when they know she had already given up on Life? This is a beautifully told, poignant, heartfelt story that will keep you eagerly turning the pages. I think a lot of people can relate to this book as well.
August 13, 2023
Cloud Pictures is an unusual story.
Martha Mud jumps from Suicide Bridge, then sees her comatose body lying in a hospital bed. She’s alarmed to discover that her spiritual self is in a strange sort of limbo, neither alive nor dead.
The story delves into the possibilities of life after death when your physical body dies.
I enjoyed the premise, although a little disturbing at times, as author Martha Mud takes you on a journey into a world where Air and Earth are in constant flux competing for the souls of the newly dead. Martha is a part of Air drifting through clouds when she meets two spiritual entities, one good and the other bad. Martha must decide in her own mind which is the right course to follow.
The changes from past to present tense were a little muddled at times, but it did not spoil my overall enjoyment of the book.
Recommended.
Martha Mud jumps from Suicide Bridge, then sees her comatose body lying in a hospital bed. She’s alarmed to discover that her spiritual self is in a strange sort of limbo, neither alive nor dead.
The story delves into the possibilities of life after death when your physical body dies.
I enjoyed the premise, although a little disturbing at times, as author Martha Mud takes you on a journey into a world where Air and Earth are in constant flux competing for the souls of the newly dead. Martha is a part of Air drifting through clouds when she meets two spiritual entities, one good and the other bad. Martha must decide in her own mind which is the right course to follow.
The changes from past to present tense were a little muddled at times, but it did not spoil my overall enjoyment of the book.
Recommended.
May 21, 2023
A moving and thought provoking journey
Cloud pictures tells the story of what happens when a young woman no longer feels her life is worth living.
Beautifully told with a depth of character creation and imagery that kept me engaged throughout.
Despite the difficult subject this book is far from dark. It’s a story of hope and the emotional journey taken as Martha tries to understand her past.
Cloud pictures tells the story of what happens when a young woman no longer feels her life is worth living.
Beautifully told with a depth of character creation and imagery that kept me engaged throughout.
Despite the difficult subject this book is far from dark. It’s a story of hope and the emotional journey taken as Martha tries to understand her past.
May 21, 2023
A fascinating read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it.
I've never read a book quite like it. Interesting, quirky, with some unexpected twists and turns.
It won't be the last book I ever read from this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it.
I've never read a book quite like it. Interesting, quirky, with some unexpected twists and turns.
It won't be the last book I ever read from this author.
October 23, 2022
Esoteric brilliance
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2022
As a student of esotericism, I have never pondered the concepts of a book like this. This is a story about something I can only describe as what happens in the "in-between." It is about what happens when you truly believe you are about to die. It is about experiencing the four elements before you reach any other world you may believe happens after you are dead. It is about knowing and experiencing the nameless four elements as they are, the spirits of ageless beings that have information while knowing that names mean nothing, and that personalities are forged upon our birth knowing nothing, yet everything after our death. However, Martha must tell you her story. From where, I won't say a word. As a student of the occult, what she went through to report this story to you is self-discovery in a way I've never thought about. If you are a student of theology, philosophy, science, or even fictional fantasy, this is a must-read. Being 60 years old and having spent years studying esotericism, there were parts of the story where I came close to forgetting how to breathe. I believe Martha. I also believe IN Martha. This is one of those amazing pearls of wisdom that sets a stage of wonder and awe.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2022
As a student of esotericism, I have never pondered the concepts of a book like this. This is a story about something I can only describe as what happens in the "in-between." It is about what happens when you truly believe you are about to die. It is about experiencing the four elements before you reach any other world you may believe happens after you are dead. It is about knowing and experiencing the nameless four elements as they are, the spirits of ageless beings that have information while knowing that names mean nothing, and that personalities are forged upon our birth knowing nothing, yet everything after our death. However, Martha must tell you her story. From where, I won't say a word. As a student of the occult, what she went through to report this story to you is self-discovery in a way I've never thought about. If you are a student of theology, philosophy, science, or even fictional fantasy, this is a must-read. Being 60 years old and having spent years studying esotericism, there were parts of the story where I came close to forgetting how to breathe. I believe Martha. I also believe IN Martha. This is one of those amazing pearls of wisdom that sets a stage of wonder and awe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2023
Esoteric brilliance
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2022
As a student of esotericism, I have never pondered the concepts of a book like this. This is a story about something I can only describe as what happens in the "in-between." It is about what happens when you truly believe you are about to die. It is about experiencing the four elements before you reach any other world you may believe happens after you are dead. It is about knowing and experiencing the nameless four elements as they are, the spirits of ageless beings that have information while knowing that names mean nothing, and that personalities are forged upon our birth knowing nothing, yet everything after our death. However, Martha must tell you her story. From where, I won't say a word. As a student of the occult, what she went through to report this story to you is self-discovery in a way I've never thought about. If you are a student of theology, philosophy, science, or even fictional fantasy, this is a must-read. Being 60 years old and having spent years studying esotericism, there were parts of the story where I came close to forgetting how to breathe. I believe Martha. I also believe IN Martha. This is one of those amazing pearls of wisdom that sets a stage of wonder and awe.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2022
As a student of esotericism, I have never pondered the concepts of a book like this. This is a story about something I can only describe as what happens in the "in-between." It is about what happens when you truly believe you are about to die. It is about experiencing the four elements before you reach any other world you may believe happens after you are dead. It is about knowing and experiencing the nameless four elements as they are, the spirits of ageless beings that have information while knowing that names mean nothing, and that personalities are forged upon our birth knowing nothing, yet everything after our death. However, Martha must tell you her story. From where, I won't say a word. As a student of the occult, what she went through to report this story to you is self-discovery in a way I've never thought about. If you are a student of theology, philosophy, science, or even fictional fantasy, this is a must-read. Being 60 years old and having spent years studying esotericism, there were parts of the story where I came close to forgetting how to breathe. I believe Martha. I also believe IN Martha. This is one of those amazing pearls of wisdom that sets a stage of wonder and awe.
April 20, 2023
I found this a hugely compelling read, a cross between fantasy and magical realism, with a little bit of Neil Gaiman about it, perhaps. It’s a difficult book to get into at first, there are numerous changing POV and I did find it a challenge to know who was speaking—but persevere, there’s a gem of a book waiting for you if you do. The subject matter, itself, is engrossing, what happens when you’re dead (though that’s a bit simplistic to write it like that). Maybe there are hints of heaven and hell, good and evil, and talks of higher powers that are never revealed. And the narrative takes us on a journey so Martha, our heroine, can discover not only the truth about where she is but about her as well. I like the idea that it is a book within a book, I thought that was clever and intriguing (if confusing at times).
October 1, 2022
up in air or down in earth
We fly through the ups in Air and the struggles in Earth of how souls are drained, depleted, and they want to leave, but when they do, they find out what they are missing or lost. Martha Mud was a part of air (briefly). She met two Beings, Simon and Veronica. One good, one evil, both trying to help whether for good or evil and those two Beings were of Martha of what she was and what she could be.
It was an interesting story, and the weaving was enchanting. The switching of tenses messed me up a bit, but it talked about many harsh realities that we face every day, and I would recommend this book.
We fly through the ups in Air and the struggles in Earth of how souls are drained, depleted, and they want to leave, but when they do, they find out what they are missing or lost. Martha Mud was a part of air (briefly). She met two Beings, Simon and Veronica. One good, one evil, both trying to help whether for good or evil and those two Beings were of Martha of what she was and what she could be.
It was an interesting story, and the weaving was enchanting. The switching of tenses messed me up a bit, but it talked about many harsh realities that we face every day, and I would recommend this book.
March 9, 2023
At one point, the counselor suggests she title the book A Book to Read If you Feel Life Isn't Worth Living, and I liked that title, because it tells the reader right off that it's about what happens when you commit suicide but you don't quite die. It's unsettling, because it's about the frustration of being caught between. But it's well-written and I recommend it.
September 27, 2022
surprising!
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and heartily recommend it to everyone. It’s heartbreaking, thought provoking and eloquent but still an easy read.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and heartily recommend it to everyone. It’s heartbreaking, thought provoking and eloquent but still an easy read.
November 19, 2022
I was deeply impressed, not only with the quality of writing but the entire premise of the story. Such a unique way of looking at life. I highly recommend this beautiful story.
February 23, 2023
“Fiction is the lie through which we tell the truth”-
Albert Camus.
Could you sacrifice the greatest gift of all, the very spark of fire the Gods gave you, to save someone
you love, just to show them how easy it is to die? Cloud Pictures describes beautifully the existence beyond, of experience, only love would gamble upon. Faith.
“I see what you are. I see a soul.”
What grabbed me about this novel, you could say, in a personal way, were the questions the author asks the reader. As a book reviewer, I thought Cloud Pictures, was a story well told. Three dimensional characters with a good history, it’s an original story of an age old itch on the back of the soul, one that nobody has managed to scratch. Maybe until now. I loved the colloquial style, you felt as though you were sat opposite the author, hearing him read the story aloud.
“If I wanted a body,” said Veronica, “I’d have one of those. Warm and vital and beautiful. Not smashed up and cooling on a hospital bed.” The girl and the boy reached the middle of the stand of trees, and started kissing. Veronica stared intently at them. “Feeling your blood move,” she said very quietly “…All those emotions, buried in flesh…That’s what I want,” she murmured. “Skin, and the nerves inside it. I want to feel.” You can almost hear the desire and envy, the breathlessness in her words.
But…
From a personal point of view, I found it difficult to show an objective perspective of this story. I suffered a brain haemorrhage back in 2015 from which I survived a three-day coma. I often asked myself what had happened to my soul during those induced 72 hours of sleep while I fought for my life.
“Consciousness is something miraculous. It’s something we still don’t really understand. What’s
really going on inside coma patients…”
The author writes from a different perspective, of which, I have not encountered before. I do not feel at liberty to divulge in case it spoils the adventure you are about to embark upon. I enjoyed Cloud Pictures by Martha Mud, and award it 5 stars.
Albert Camus.
Could you sacrifice the greatest gift of all, the very spark of fire the Gods gave you, to save someone
you love, just to show them how easy it is to die? Cloud Pictures describes beautifully the existence beyond, of experience, only love would gamble upon. Faith.
“I see what you are. I see a soul.”
What grabbed me about this novel, you could say, in a personal way, were the questions the author asks the reader. As a book reviewer, I thought Cloud Pictures, was a story well told. Three dimensional characters with a good history, it’s an original story of an age old itch on the back of the soul, one that nobody has managed to scratch. Maybe until now. I loved the colloquial style, you felt as though you were sat opposite the author, hearing him read the story aloud.
“If I wanted a body,” said Veronica, “I’d have one of those. Warm and vital and beautiful. Not smashed up and cooling on a hospital bed.” The girl and the boy reached the middle of the stand of trees, and started kissing. Veronica stared intently at them. “Feeling your blood move,” she said very quietly “…All those emotions, buried in flesh…That’s what I want,” she murmured. “Skin, and the nerves inside it. I want to feel.” You can almost hear the desire and envy, the breathlessness in her words.
But…
From a personal point of view, I found it difficult to show an objective perspective of this story. I suffered a brain haemorrhage back in 2015 from which I survived a three-day coma. I often asked myself what had happened to my soul during those induced 72 hours of sleep while I fought for my life.
“Consciousness is something miraculous. It’s something we still don’t really understand. What’s
really going on inside coma patients…”
The author writes from a different perspective, of which, I have not encountered before. I do not feel at liberty to divulge in case it spoils the adventure you are about to embark upon. I enjoyed Cloud Pictures by Martha Mud, and award it 5 stars.
June 1, 2023
I read this book out of curiosity and I have no idea if it’s fiction, truth, or a mixture of the two. What I do know is that it is a book that will get you thinking.
Martha Mud is lying in a coma. Her out-of-body spirit travels in the realm of Air and meets two entities. One, she names Simon and he tries to help her. The other, is a darker personality and she’s uncertain of its intentions. The story explores the possibility of what happens after your physical body dies and it’s a fascinating scenario. It’s told in the form of conversations with Martha’s therapist.
This book is well written and the novelty of the story will keep you turning pages. I would certainly recommend it as one not to be missed if you’re a curious sort of person. It’s a very different read.
Martha Mud is lying in a coma. Her out-of-body spirit travels in the realm of Air and meets two entities. One, she names Simon and he tries to help her. The other, is a darker personality and she’s uncertain of its intentions. The story explores the possibility of what happens after your physical body dies and it’s a fascinating scenario. It’s told in the form of conversations with Martha’s therapist.
This book is well written and the novelty of the story will keep you turning pages. I would certainly recommend it as one not to be missed if you’re a curious sort of person. It’s a very different read.
August 5, 2023
A Profound and Thought-Provoking Book
This book takes you on a most astonishing and engaging journey with Martha Mudd as she goes through what might be our greatest fear. The book is rich in captivating characters, unique delivery, engaging prose, and descriptive settings that put you in the story. I have read several accounts of near-death experiences and find the subject fascinating. And having lost loved ones, I have often pondered the path they might take in the afterlife. This book took on a deep and distressing theme and turned it into an endearing, uplifting, and heartwarming triumph. I have recommended this book to others. A lovely read!
This book takes you on a most astonishing and engaging journey with Martha Mudd as she goes through what might be our greatest fear. The book is rich in captivating characters, unique delivery, engaging prose, and descriptive settings that put you in the story. I have read several accounts of near-death experiences and find the subject fascinating. And having lost loved ones, I have often pondered the path they might take in the afterlife. This book took on a deep and distressing theme and turned it into an endearing, uplifting, and heartwarming triumph. I have recommended this book to others. A lovely read!
August 28, 2023
Martha, in an attempt to commit suicide by jumping from a bridge ends up in a coma. The soul leaves the body and during her time in limbo, Martha encounters two entities and delibrates which is good and evil. During this period of afterlife, she must decide whether to return to her physical body or to enter the unknown. Beautifully described and such a vivid imagination. This truly unique story had me hooked. Superb.
July 30, 2023
I found this book a bit of a challenge to get into but then really enjoyed it, so it’s worth persevering. It tells the story of Martha, who jumps from Suicide Bridge and then finds herself in a kind of limbo where nothing makes sense. An unusual book, the story is refreshingly different and thought-provoking, and I recommend it.
August 6, 2023
Emotional Journey !
The author has created a fascinating story that had me contemplating what happens when you die or have an OOB experience. I would recommend this great and interesting page-turner.
The author has created a fascinating story that had me contemplating what happens when you die or have an OOB experience. I would recommend this great and interesting page-turner.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews