Review of The Attenuating Puritan
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Esther-David
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Review of The Attenuating Puritan
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Attenuating Puritan" by Robert McGuiness.]
The Attenuating Puritan, by Robert McGuiness, is an environmentalist novel following a wandering character with the titular name, who seeks to educate others about the dangers of harmful chemicals. This character traverses around the United States consuming dangerous toxins. He meets a whole cast of characters who are affected by various chemicals, like hippies, homeless people, a sex worker, festival attendees, and multiple people who give him rides. He believes he can cleanse the toxins in his body, and that everything he does is for God. He dons a big robe with monitoring, chemical-detecting, and camera-recording abilities. It also pixelates when sensing lies being told in its presence. On his quest, the Attenuating Puritan ends up in several hazardous situations in various places.
This book is quite unique. It needs more editing; several grammatical errors hindered my reading experience. It is written in an absurd and earnest way, with the narrator wholeheartedly believing in all his ridiculous actions. The book shows the great lengths some people will go to for what they believe is the truth and for their religion. It begins as a clever satire but loses its way. I was entertained throughout the whole story. I found each character vivid, and liked that the main character visited so many places.
For some reason, the narrator is bigoted. I am not sure if the author shares these views. In a list of the "millions of victims of this toxic world" affected by harmful chemicals, people with cancer, sick people, sterile people, and trans people are mentioned (28). I am not sure why trans people are mentioned, as trans people are not trans because of exposure to harmful chemicals. Later, a new character is described as "young and incredibly attractive and had a lesbianage duty as her dominant persona...I was not a threat to her, except in her mind, to her own sexuality. She wanted to be able to like men...but her persona would not allow for that" (46). This sentence implies that lesbians are attracted to men, men are a threat to lesbian sexuality, and that being a lesbian is a "persona," which is not how sexual orientation works. These are very strange and harmful details to include. I don't see the purpose of making the narrator bigoted.
I went into it thinking it would be a book about faith, and I was shocked by the graphic sexual content and accounts of substance consumption. This is certainly a unique book that discusses the very real harms of chemical agents and toxins. However, the absurdity of the book makes it so far removed from reality and it seems like the author is satirizing people who are dogmatically attached to the cause of environmentalism.
I feel like the purpose of the book got lost in the meandering journey. I am not sure what the author is trying to say by the end. Too many groups of people and practices are brought up with not enough to say about each one.
I'm not sure who this book is intended for. The language and graphic nature mean people who believe in God likely would be averse to it, even though faith in God is discussed throughout the book. It seems to be cautioning people to avoid harmful chemicals, yet makes it clear no one can avoid toxins completely. It also makes fun of people so devoted to the cause. Perhaps drug and alcohol addicts would be inspired to change their ways from the dangerous effects shown in the book.
All in all, I rate this book three out of five stars. I deducted two stars due to the lack of focus and errors. Readers who are sensitive to mature content should avoid this book.
******
The Attenuating Puritan
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Attenuating Puritan, by Robert McGuiness, is an environmentalist novel following a wandering character with the titular name, who seeks to educate others about the dangers of harmful chemicals. This character traverses around the United States consuming dangerous toxins. He meets a whole cast of characters who are affected by various chemicals, like hippies, homeless people, a sex worker, festival attendees, and multiple people who give him rides. He believes he can cleanse the toxins in his body, and that everything he does is for God. He dons a big robe with monitoring, chemical-detecting, and camera-recording abilities. It also pixelates when sensing lies being told in its presence. On his quest, the Attenuating Puritan ends up in several hazardous situations in various places.
This book is quite unique. It needs more editing; several grammatical errors hindered my reading experience. It is written in an absurd and earnest way, with the narrator wholeheartedly believing in all his ridiculous actions. The book shows the great lengths some people will go to for what they believe is the truth and for their religion. It begins as a clever satire but loses its way. I was entertained throughout the whole story. I found each character vivid, and liked that the main character visited so many places.
For some reason, the narrator is bigoted. I am not sure if the author shares these views. In a list of the "millions of victims of this toxic world" affected by harmful chemicals, people with cancer, sick people, sterile people, and trans people are mentioned (28). I am not sure why trans people are mentioned, as trans people are not trans because of exposure to harmful chemicals. Later, a new character is described as "young and incredibly attractive and had a lesbianage duty as her dominant persona...I was not a threat to her, except in her mind, to her own sexuality. She wanted to be able to like men...but her persona would not allow for that" (46). This sentence implies that lesbians are attracted to men, men are a threat to lesbian sexuality, and that being a lesbian is a "persona," which is not how sexual orientation works. These are very strange and harmful details to include. I don't see the purpose of making the narrator bigoted.
I went into it thinking it would be a book about faith, and I was shocked by the graphic sexual content and accounts of substance consumption. This is certainly a unique book that discusses the very real harms of chemical agents and toxins. However, the absurdity of the book makes it so far removed from reality and it seems like the author is satirizing people who are dogmatically attached to the cause of environmentalism.
I feel like the purpose of the book got lost in the meandering journey. I am not sure what the author is trying to say by the end. Too many groups of people and practices are brought up with not enough to say about each one.
I'm not sure who this book is intended for. The language and graphic nature mean people who believe in God likely would be averse to it, even though faith in God is discussed throughout the book. It seems to be cautioning people to avoid harmful chemicals, yet makes it clear no one can avoid toxins completely. It also makes fun of people so devoted to the cause. Perhaps drug and alcohol addicts would be inspired to change their ways from the dangerous effects shown in the book.
All in all, I rate this book three out of five stars. I deducted two stars due to the lack of focus and errors. Readers who are sensitive to mature content should avoid this book.
******
The Attenuating Puritan
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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E. David
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Naimah Agboluaje
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Alooma! Mahalo for sharing your review of "The Attenuating Puritan" by Robert McGuiness. Based on your feedback, it seems that this book is a unique and entertaining read with a satirical approach towards environmentalism. However, the lack of focus and editing issues may hinder the overall reading experience.
I appreciate your honesty about the book's shortcomings, particularly the inclusion of problematic and bigoted elements in the narrative. It's disappointing to see such harmful details being included without any apparent purpose.
From your description, it seems that the book explores the dangers of harmful chemicals and toxins in an absurd and exaggerated manner. While the concept and vivid characters intrigued you, the meandering journey and lack of clear message left you unsure of the author's intention.
Considering the explicit sexual content and substance consumption depicted in the book, it's unclear who the target audience would be. Those sensitive to mature content, including people with religious beliefs, might be hesitant to read it.
Based on your review, I would rate "The Attenuating Puritan" three out of five stars. Although it offers entertainment and addresses environmental concerns, the lack of focus and problematic elements lower its overall appeal.
Mahalo nui loa for sharing your insights, and I appreciate your thorough review! Atmospheric setting, transported me to another world.
I appreciate your honesty about the book's shortcomings, particularly the inclusion of problematic and bigoted elements in the narrative. It's disappointing to see such harmful details being included without any apparent purpose.
From your description, it seems that the book explores the dangers of harmful chemicals and toxins in an absurd and exaggerated manner. While the concept and vivid characters intrigued you, the meandering journey and lack of clear message left you unsure of the author's intention.
Considering the explicit sexual content and substance consumption depicted in the book, it's unclear who the target audience would be. Those sensitive to mature content, including people with religious beliefs, might be hesitant to read it.
Based on your review, I would rate "The Attenuating Puritan" three out of five stars. Although it offers entertainment and addresses environmental concerns, the lack of focus and problematic elements lower its overall appeal.
Mahalo nui loa for sharing your insights, and I appreciate your thorough review! Atmospheric setting, transported me to another world.
