Kutztown University Professor Dr. Keith Massie published “Amber in the Moment,” an avant-garde novel which adapts illustrations from Kurt Vonnegut’s “Breakfast of Champions.”
The book tells the story of Vonnegut working to produce his final novel and is written under Massie’s pseudonym, Kirk Vonnegut.
Massie’s novel, which incorporates different structural and narrative elements from Vonnegut’s work, uses non-linear storytelling and blends suspense, drama, science fiction, cultural commentary and humor. Fans of Vonnegut’s speculative fiction will appreciate Massie’s foray into the incredible realm of ‘thought transfer experiments.’ Within such experiments, characters-like Vonnegut-have their thoughts captured in bubbles; however, the bubbles can’t be decoded without first processing them through the mind of an unsuspecting civilian. The story unfolds from the first person perspective in which the protagonist is being bombarded by random, seemingly incoherent thoughts that culminate into Vonnegut’s final novel.
“Amber in the Moment” takes readers through four timelines. They can experience Vonnegut’s thoughts as he works on his book; leap into the future and observe scientists as they brainstorm a way to retrieve Vonnegut’s thoughts from their stored bubbles; move into the present with the novel’s protagonist, who is bombarded by Vonnegut’s thoughts; and observe the origins of a sociopath who attempts to hunt down the protagonist.
“I wanted my book to give the feeling and texture of Kurt Vonnegut, famous author, without being Vonnegut,” Massie said. “It’s a parody, although serious in tone. I also wanted it to be about the writing process itself. The protagonist is bombarded with Vonnegut’s thoughts from the future, and this can happen in a violent way. The thoughts have to go onto paper – it mimics what a writer goes through during the creative process. I was somewhat disappointed by “Breakfast of Champions.” This is my revision.”
Assistant professor of communication studies at KU, Massie is also the author of “Communication Connections: From Aristotle to the Internet,” several peer-reviewed journal articles and a book chapter on representations of race and gender within “Everquest,” in “Online Gaming in Context: The Social and Cultural Significance of Online Games.”
For more information about Massie’s novel, visit www.tinyurl.com/amberinmoment. “Amber in the Moment” is available for purchase on www.amazon.com in both eBook and paperback formats. Initial reviewers of the work have left strong praise.