Books
He Who Shall Remain Shameless
a paranormal adventure novel in stories
by David Ewald
release date: June 16, 2011
available for purchase on
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Reviews:
“….I found He Who Shall Remain Shameless to be an entertaining read. Ewald is at his best when he plays the suspense card. His historical ghosts are well researched and have believable personalities. But the story’s strongest element is its exploration of death and obscurity. As we ponder his assertion that the Internet can (and should) be used to remember everyone, celebrity and average person alike, he reminds us that we’re mortal. And death is a lesson we should all remember as we conduct our lives.”
— David Drazul, The New Podler Review of Books
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“This collection of linked short stories explores themes of death and whether, in the age of the Internet, anyone is ever truly forgotten. The protagonist meets several spirits of people who have not remained famous in death, while battling The Meritocrat, an otherworldly being who aims to obscure the lives of these same people.
The most sparkling moments of this book come when we see the protagonist’s human connection with the characters. The stories “Harriet” and “Alice” are highlights because the characters are touching and the protagonist shares a fleeting moment with them, making the reader realize what extraordinary and short lives they led. Harriet was an early female pilot who is not well-known; Alice is the first female flight attendant killed in a plane crash. In these stories, the reader catches a glimpse of what could have been, and the characters are bright and real, yet we realize their time has already passed.
The subplot involves a final showdown with the Meritocrat that is nothing less than Harry Potter vs. Voldemort-worthy. This book will appeal to those who are curious about less-than-historical figures, fans of paranormal and fantasy themes, and readers who enjoy a character-driven plot. These stories also make the reader question his/her own legacy and beg the question, “Will I be remembered, and why?”
— bookloverincalifornia
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“Within the first few pages of this book, you clearly get the sense that this author loves words and putting them together. His sentences and word choice are carefully constructed so as to give this entire book the feeling of movement, which keeps the events that occur within it clipping along at a brisk pace.
His style and subject matter would probably most closely compare to Chuck Palahniuk, exchanging brutality for humor. The absurd realism remains, paired with some really great moments of laugh out loud material. It’s a dark comedy through and through.
I recommend keeping a web browser handy as you read through this book. There’s a neat intersection of reality and fiction throughout the story, and getting to know some of these characters outside the perspective of the protagonist adds a poignancy and weight to events that you might miss out on otherwise.
The ending is an absolute masterpiece….
….If you like Chuck Palahniuk, Neal Stephenson’s earlier works, or David Foster Wallace, I think you’ll definitely enjoy He Who Shall Remain Shameless. It’s funny, quick, dark and thoughtful.”
— Jeff Bard
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“This is a provocative book about what we choose to remember and what is chosen by others for us to remember. Using both real characters from the past and fictional characters, the author brilliantly brings together our current society’s obsession with technology and fame with historical and fictional people, making us wonder through his insight and satire what it would be like if his characters lived in today’s e-world. A book that made me think long after I had finished the last page.” (5 stars)
— Sundevilgirl
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