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Nameless
Small-town bookseller Christopher Dusk is happy with his quiet life, until he meets a shy artist and sells him the wrong book. Lucas, a maskmaker and mystic, will challenge Christopher's prosaic view of the world -- but both men are lying, to themselves and to each other, and Lucas may be the one to pay the price in the end.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
127 people want to read
About the author
Sam Starbuck
26 books118 followersSam is a nonprofit researcher, blogger, and former theatre punk who lives and works in Chicago, Illinois.
Secretly, he is a Time Lord.
He writes romance and light SFF, literary fiction, and sometimes even fanfic.
Secretly, he is a Time Lord.
He writes romance and light SFF, literary fiction, and sometimes even fanfic.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 3, 2011
This was a pretty good book, although slow to start and a little, hmm. It's a sort of magical realism thingy, except that the realism isn't quite real enough; the setting seems more like it ought to be an explicitly fantasy world, something Olde English-y Tolkien-y, because it doesn't quite ring true for a small town somewhere outside Chicago. I felt like it wanted to be a fairy tale, like it wanted to be, oh, like the town of Wall in Stardust. Halloween mythic rituals and traveling Gypsies (because really, that's what the Friendly are) don't seem to fit with the rural US, and I kept feeling a bit disconcerted by things like this. But if you can do some major suspension of disbelief, it's an enjoyable story, and vastly better written than the usual self-published stuff.
December 20, 2009
I've liked this writer's style for some time, and I generally like all the characters he's created in this story. That said, however, what others have said is completely accurate - there is very little plot and nothing much really happens. Also, the book was marketed as dealing with gay characters, and it was possible to see how the two main characters could have gone down the romance direction, but...they didn't. There was a minor subplot dealing with a gay relationship, but it was background and had no real bearing on the plot. I felt like I'd missed a few chapters. In the end I was generally disappointed because the potential was never realized.
November 14, 2010
Well, I'm here for Sam's writing. Which is gorgeous as always. As for the work itself, it's not really my thing. With the mysticism. The romance is so understated as to be practically invisible, which is both beautiful and not very satisfying. The small-town USA setting seems to be kind of desperately repressing the Walmart effect by channeling British archetypes of quaintness and magic? I dunno.
March 2, 2016
It takes time to lay the scene, but the payoff was very much worth it for me.
Nameless is a very subtle story, as if Sam were taking out small curiosities that were laboriously put together--rather like Lucas' preferred method of creation--and displaying them for the reader to ruminate on. Let's go with the gem analogy: he's lighting things up from different directions compared to most books I read, and the reflections and images that result similarly spark things rapid-fire in my own mind. What makes it so much more enjoyable is the disparate sources he's weaving together, from his love of masks and inversion festivals (hi Sam, love the blog) to their interactions with history and specific points in that history...such as the present. If it's a legend in the past and it comes again, is it still history? There's a flare of theatricality to some of the scenes that, since I'm familiar with his (publicly shared) personal history with the stage, feels all the more well-crafted as a tiny hint of the private individual who is baring bits of his soul at us.
Another point in its subtlety: some of the reviews speak of not seeing any hints of the M/M romance. To me, it's as obvious as Oscar Isaac biting his bottom lip at a man he's seen all of once before. "Does he have a boyfriend--a cute boyfriend?" to mangle a quote to my purposes. But don't read the story for the prospect of romance. Read it for the love of the magic in the everyday, whether that's painting a door or fixing the binding on an old book, the parallels and answers to your questions coming to you later, faithfully, if you tamp down your impatience. It's a little like looking for magic.
I sincerely hope this is a world he's returning to because I want more of this beauty.
Nameless is a very subtle story, as if Sam were taking out small curiosities that were laboriously put together--rather like Lucas' preferred method of creation--and displaying them for the reader to ruminate on. Let's go with the gem analogy: he's lighting things up from different directions compared to most books I read, and the reflections and images that result similarly spark things rapid-fire in my own mind. What makes it so much more enjoyable is the disparate sources he's weaving together, from his love of masks and inversion festivals (hi Sam, love the blog) to their interactions with history and specific points in that history...such as the present. If it's a legend in the past and it comes again, is it still history? There's a flare of theatricality to some of the scenes that, since I'm familiar with his (publicly shared) personal history with the stage, feels all the more well-crafted as a tiny hint of the private individual who is baring bits of his soul at us.
Another point in its subtlety: some of the reviews speak of not seeing any hints of the M/M romance. To me, it's as obvious as Oscar Isaac biting his bottom lip at a man he's seen all of once before. "Does he have a boyfriend--a cute boyfriend?" to mangle a quote to my purposes. But don't read the story for the prospect of romance. Read it for the love of the magic in the everyday, whether that's painting a door or fixing the binding on an old book, the parallels and answers to your questions coming to you later, faithfully, if you tamp down your impatience. It's a little like looking for magic.
I sincerely hope this is a world he's returning to because I want more of this beauty.
January 17, 2016
Nameless is not your typical amateur novel. It begins as an odd little slice-of-life tale set in the rural Midwest as we follow Christopher around the landmarks of his small town, slowly learning about the townspeople and their quirks. Eventually it shows its hand and tips slightly into fantasy realism, but in a satisfyingly quiet, non-flashy Midwestern way: the possibly-magical bits are there, but left up in the air for interpretation.
From another angle, you might consider it an exercise in scene-building, or character study. While some of the background character can be a little flat, Christopher himself is a complex, unusually solid-feeling character, and all the more wonderful for bring so unexpected. Extra kudos to the author, too, for capturing the isolation of small-town life so well: even the liveliest of events soon settles back into the quiet, steady plod of the plot, with a hint of tragedy just around the corner that keeps the tension up.
The biggest failing is in the ending, I think, and its efforts to place a resolution on something which would have been more satisfying - and haunting - if left well alone. But still, the quiet beauty of this book is in the journey, not the destination, and it's a good ride while it lasts. Highly recommended.
From another angle, you might consider it an exercise in scene-building, or character study. While some of the background character can be a little flat, Christopher himself is a complex, unusually solid-feeling character, and all the more wonderful for bring so unexpected. Extra kudos to the author, too, for capturing the isolation of small-town life so well: even the liveliest of events soon settles back into the quiet, steady plod of the plot, with a hint of tragedy just around the corner that keeps the tension up.
The biggest failing is in the ending, I think, and its efforts to place a resolution on something which would have been more satisfying - and haunting - if left well alone. But still, the quiet beauty of this book is in the journey, not the destination, and it's a good ride while it lasts. Highly recommended.
May 5, 2023
When I bought this book, I confess, I didn't expect much. I had read some beautiful fanfictions by the author and I decided to give a go at his original writing. I wasn't prepared to love Nameless so much.
And it's not because of Christopher, the main character, that is a witty and nice young man who owns a book shop. Nor for Lucas, the new guy in town, who is so shy and insicure, but so creative in making beautiful masks. You will love them, of course, and enjoy their friendship forms and grows. You'll love the magic in it too.
But what really hit me was that, after the first few pages, I found myself craving to be a Low Ferry citizen too. It doesn't matter that I'd probably find boring living in a rural town somewhere in Illinois. The characters living in this little town are so well pictured that you can't stop wishing to be one of them too. They're loving, and funny and like to gossip, of course, but they take good care of their own. Even the nomads that arrive in town twice a year are known as The Friendly.
Nameless is really a precious piece of writing.
I really can't recommend something better to read.
And it's not because of Christopher, the main character, that is a witty and nice young man who owns a book shop. Nor for Lucas, the new guy in town, who is so shy and insicure, but so creative in making beautiful masks. You will love them, of course, and enjoy their friendship forms and grows. You'll love the magic in it too.
But what really hit me was that, after the first few pages, I found myself craving to be a Low Ferry citizen too. It doesn't matter that I'd probably find boring living in a rural town somewhere in Illinois. The characters living in this little town are so well pictured that you can't stop wishing to be one of them too. They're loving, and funny and like to gossip, of course, but they take good care of their own. Even the nomads that arrive in town twice a year are known as The Friendly.
Nameless is really a precious piece of writing.
I really can't recommend something better to read.
December 20, 2009
This book was recommended to me by Adam and normally we do not have the same taste in most things but because he thought I would like it I decided to take a look at it.
The book itself is very interesting, It has very little to no plot at all and its basically all about character development. At first I thought a book with no plot would really bore me but soon I could not stop reading it because I wanted to see how certain characters and their relationships would pan out.
Sadly for me towards the end of the book it takes a turn that I did not like and while it does not take the main stage of the book its still a big enough presence in it that just makes me not agree with it. It had spent over 100 pages flirting with a concept but it was vague enough where it was up to the reader to decided weather or not it is true, but then it just smacks you in the face and takes away that choice. I just didn't like how it did that.
Also I thought the ending was interesting not great but not bad. All and all not my top choice but I was still glad to have read it.
The book itself is very interesting, It has very little to no plot at all and its basically all about character development. At first I thought a book with no plot would really bore me but soon I could not stop reading it because I wanted to see how certain characters and their relationships would pan out.
Sadly for me towards the end of the book it takes a turn that I did not like and while it does not take the main stage of the book its still a big enough presence in it that just makes me not agree with it. It had spent over 100 pages flirting with a concept but it was vague enough where it was up to the reader to decided weather or not it is true, but then it just smacks you in the face and takes away that choice. I just didn't like how it did that.
Also I thought the ending was interesting not great but not bad. All and all not my top choice but I was still glad to have read it.
June 8, 2010
i came across this book by mistake, and thought that it's going to be just another book, one that i will probably not finish.
well, i was SO wrong.
this is a story about a small town, about a man who owns a bookstore and uses he's beautiful voice to tell us this story.
at the beginning i thought that it's going to be a story about love between two men. well, it is, in a way. but not in the predictable way. this is mostly about friendship, deep friendship. no love scenes, no sex.
the characters in this book are amazing, so real and human. the dialogs are fantastic, you can really imagine people talking like that.
the town just felt like a real place, it was hard to finish the book, knowing that i will have to leave... well, my new friends behind.
I'm really surprised that this beautiful book hasn't receives more reviews.
NAMELESS is a rare gem, and I'm so happy to have been able to read it.
*sorry about my English, I'm better at Hebrew :)
well, i was SO wrong.
this is a story about a small town, about a man who owns a bookstore and uses he's beautiful voice to tell us this story.
at the beginning i thought that it's going to be a story about love between two men. well, it is, in a way. but not in the predictable way. this is mostly about friendship, deep friendship. no love scenes, no sex.
the characters in this book are amazing, so real and human. the dialogs are fantastic, you can really imagine people talking like that.
the town just felt like a real place, it was hard to finish the book, knowing that i will have to leave... well, my new friends behind.
I'm really surprised that this beautiful book hasn't receives more reviews.
NAMELESS is a rare gem, and I'm so happy to have been able to read it.
*sorry about my English, I'm better at Hebrew :)
June 3, 2009
I enjoy the author's other work, so I was excited to read his first book. I was surprised to find it slow and boring.
A few years back, Christopher Dusk moved from Chicago to a little town named Low Ferry. He sets himself up with a bookshop and settles down to a quiet life. Then a shy young man named Lucas turns up, asking for a special book about masks--and nothing happens. Nothing ever, ever happens. The entire book is basically Christopher walking into the diner, everyone greets him, walking back to the bookshop, where all the kids think he's so worldly, walking over to Lucas's, where sometimes he'll talk to him for a few minutes and sometimes he won't. There's no romance, there's no excitement, there's no character growth. Just a boring young man being helpful and wise and right for an entire novel.
A few years back, Christopher Dusk moved from Chicago to a little town named Low Ferry. He sets himself up with a bookshop and settles down to a quiet life. Then a shy young man named Lucas turns up, asking for a special book about masks--and nothing happens. Nothing ever, ever happens. The entire book is basically Christopher walking into the diner, everyone greets him, walking back to the bookshop, where all the kids think he's so worldly, walking over to Lucas's, where sometimes he'll talk to him for a few minutes and sometimes he won't. There's no romance, there's no excitement, there's no character growth. Just a boring young man being helpful and wise and right for an entire novel.
August 29, 2009
A friend of mine is friends with the author, which is how I came to have this book recommended to me. My main criticism is that the author seemed determined that any conflict be resolved immediately -- everybody gets along with everybody else, nobody stays angry even when they have the right to hold a grudge, and any developments that might lead to real conflict or tension are quickly addressed and defused before they can threaten the permanent austerity of the story's Arcadian little town. It was as though the author was unwilling to let anything really bad happen to his characters, even where it would have made sense for there to be lasting damage.
That said, I liked several of the characters and I feel like the underlying plot has potential. It just lacks any sense of urgency, which, ultimately, is what stopped me from loving this book.
That said, I liked several of the characters and I feel like the underlying plot has potential. It just lacks any sense of urgency, which, ultimately, is what stopped me from loving this book.
December 28, 2015
Oh, this was *pretty*. It isn't perfect - its pacing is slow and at times non-existent. But it's so pretty.
As usual I'm disappointed with the barely-thereness of the romantic plot: I actually feel like it would have been a stronger ending *without* any kissing. Or if the romance had had more weight earlier. And this time I'm side-eying the Miraculous Healing scene - I feel like it would have held enough weight if Lukas had merely Magically Fixed the problem-in-the-moment, not the problem-for-good. I mean, people with chronic heart conditions still get to decide they *choose* their lives? And could even manage to have a boyfriend inna big city! That could've strengthened the flimsy relationship conclusion, too.
As usual I'm disappointed with the barely-thereness of the romantic plot: I actually feel like it would have been a stronger ending *without* any kissing. Or if the romance had had more weight earlier. And this time I'm side-eying the Miraculous Healing scene - I feel like it would have held enough weight if Lukas had merely Magically Fixed the problem-in-the-moment, not the problem-for-good. I mean, people with chronic heart conditions still get to decide they *choose* their lives? And could even manage to have a boyfriend inna big city! That could've strengthened the flimsy relationship conclusion, too.
May 8, 2012
This is easily one of the most beautiful and simplistic novels I have ever read. This story is about a deep friendship, a dog, and a rural town that brings them all together. Everything about this book is so raw, touching and the descriptions really carry you away into this very pastoral environment. The characters in this novel felt so real, and I can't say I've encountered such a story where everything just came together so gently. This is one of those books that sucks you simply because its a character study. There's little to no plot, but at the same time its hard not to feel like Starbuck makes you feel like these are people you've met somewhere before.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
March 3, 2013
Just finished my first reread of Nameless since I read it initially after it's release. I'd forgotten, somehow, how powerfully moving and astounding it is, and I treasured this read more than words can express.
Everything in Nameless blows me away, from it's small world of lovingly textured characters, to its gentle but compelling pace through the narrator's discoveries, to the delicate, convincing touches of magic that have me looking a little too hard at masks I see. I feel like the world is a little bit bigger, a little more mysterious, and a little more important having read it.
Everything in Nameless blows me away, from it's small world of lovingly textured characters, to its gentle but compelling pace through the narrator's discoveries, to the delicate, convincing touches of magic that have me looking a little too hard at masks I see. I feel like the world is a little bit bigger, a little more mysterious, and a little more important having read it.
July 29, 2009
11 Vanyels - I actually like all the characters =)
10 Moonwinds - Beautiful story, great plot (and subplots!)
10 Stendels - If it's apparently permanent position as purse-book continues this may also reach 11
.75 LHMs - I always finish the book feeling happy and uplifted
0 Leareths - positive influence
10 Moonwinds - Beautiful story, great plot (and subplots!)
10 Stendels - If it's apparently permanent position as purse-book continues this may also reach 11
.75 LHMs - I always finish the book feeling happy and uplifted
0 Leareths - positive influence
July 27, 2009
This was a work of genre fiction that couldn't decide which genre it belonged to. Part fantasy, part small-town tale, part romance, part friendship story...I'm not sure that it was consistent enough to do all (or any one) of those things really well. It's a first novel, though, and Sam's a generally good writer, so I would definitely read a second effort.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews