Soulless

by Clea Saal

What do you get when you mix a dead child, a movie buff, a chiromancer-anthropologist, a school shooting, and what appears to be a series of unrelated, everyday events? What you get is a disturbing possibility that exists in the present tense. "Soulless" is a book that walks a fine line between horror, mystery and science fiction, however, if you are looking for laser-gun-toting aliens, mother ships and fast-paced action, you will not find them here. In spite of that, you must not let those absences lure you into a false sense of security. Just look around yourself and remember that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. The most disturbing thing about "Soulless" is precisely that you will not find impossible circumstances in its pages. What you will find is a different perspective on familiar facts. In this book the line that separates fantasy and reality is gradually blurred until it finally disappears, good and evil merge into one, as do hope and hopelessness. Before it is over you will be looking for a way to prove to yourself that this is just a work of fiction.

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

No more… please… stop… I confess. My name is Clea Saal and I was born on this planet, though I am not certain whether or not that would have been my first choice if anyone had bothered to ask for my opinion on the subject. I was born at an early age somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere, although I was dragged to the other side of the Equator by my parents when I was only a few years old and I have been playing equatorial ping-pong ever since.

I began writing when I was six and, to some people’s annoyance, I haven’t stopped yet. I endured twelve years of basic education –make that thirteen, I did flunk once– and then by reason of tradition, masochism or insanity, I went on to devote several more years of my life toward obtaining a degree in English Literature. The day I finally graduated most professors in my department literally cried for joy.

Ever since I can remember I have been surrounded by books. I saw them, smelled them, chewed them, tore them to pieces, scribbled on them, heard my mother reading them to me, and, as I got a little older, I read them myself… not to mention that I also had quite a few books thrown at me. So, under the circumstances, becoming a writer seemed to be a logical next step.

Okay, I’m done talking about myself… now I’ll shut up and do the writing do the talking.

PS-And yes, in case you were wondering, my author's photo is a little out of date

Reviews

[Logan Blackisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book draws you in right from the start, and sets you on a slow and deliberate journey veering into the philosophical; which can so very easily make you stop and think about what you've just read - so don't count on finishing this book very fast.

It's very thought provoking - hours will pass thinking about this book, after you've read it.

The author (Clea Saal) masterfully weaves together psychological aspects with philosophical, historical and even a touch of theology.

The book is cast as 'Philosophical Horror', and I cannot stress this enough: the 'horror' aspect in this masterful story is entirely philosophical, but is all the more horrifying for it.

Brace yourself; this book is absolutely mind-blowing.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The disturbing mesh of everyday events turns Professor Paul Webster and a college associate into investigators trying to solve a tangled web of paranormal happenings. Fantasy and reality shift into twisted images as the truth is no longer a definitive answer. Paul and his associate, Sandra, must come to grips with facts bordering on insanity. And they must face a reality that can no longer be denied. The consciousness of human kind has changed and the reason for that shift is a startling revelation of what essences makes us human. Clea Saal's Soulless offers a provocative look into what truly is human.

[Clea]

Yes, I know that reviewing my own book is kind of tacky but I figured a word of caution was in order: Avoid the version with the red cover at all costs! I spent a year rewriting this thing for a reason (as you can probably guess, the blue version is the revised one).