Official Review: Anchor by S. R. Gurney

[LinaMueller]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Anchor" by S. R. Gurney.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Anchor by S. R. Gurney is categorized as Sci-Fi/Fantasy, but I don't think that's accurate. "Psychological Fiction" seems to be more appropriate. According to the author, his objective is "to explore the cosmetic cognitions of persona." That's what I call an ambitious goal. How did the author organize the book? Gurney created a simplified structure in which the days of the week are chapters (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). Evo, Zuri, Enzo, and Dr. Jacques Duboix are the four main characters.

The book addresses several topics ranging from homosexuality, sexual addiction, artificial needs, unhappiness at work to even some issues that make the reader question the absurdity of human existence. Gurney hit the nail on the head with his description of inner thoughts and conflicts that may not be resolvable. It is funny how the reader has (at the same time) the impression that the world is very complicated, but that it could be much easier if people exercised empathy. Or if everyone accepted that humanity is imperfect and that there is nothing wrong with that.

Dr. Jacques Duboix dialogues are pure gold and my favorite part of the book. People generally have the impression that a "doctor" is someone who holds the absolute truth. The reality is that he is a person like any other, with doubts and failures. The loss of his beloved has left indelible marks, and he is presented as someone who struggles to overcome daily events like any other. Take a look at this passage:

Jacques, you are no longer a hero or a villain, or anywhere between within this scale. To consider yourself human is irresponsible. You are the animation of an inanimate tool. You have disguised your humanhood with this lavish apartment of trinkets and memories and dreams, but you are a simple tool, that humans use like a drug to fix themselves from their pain and their uniqueness. They drift to you like a lofting plastic bag, with nothing but fate carrying their sails. I want to help you understand that you are nothing but a program, a code of ethics that you tell yourself, so people can swallow the pill of unreality, and drift back into their imperfect lives, with the idea that they are changed, and that they are new and fixed. When in reality they were fixed already, and that is the reason why you will always be stuck in time, the fragment of yesterday that still lingers like the leaves of autumn in winter."

What a brilliant paragraph full of wisdom.

On the downside, some passages are too complicated. There are many long hard-to-read sentences, metaphors, and wordy passages. That's a matter of personal taste because I found the author's writing style, poetic and beautiful. Many people will find the book challenging to read, though. "Stylistically absurd to reflect the inaccuracies of typical conversations and memories," Anchor is simultaneously a work of art and an in-depth psychological analysis of the yearnings and fear of individuals in the contemporary world.

All in all, Anchor deserves four out of four stars. The book is deep, smart, and thought-provoking. Unfortunately, I'm sure that only a small percentage of the readers will recognize the quality of this gem. While I can understand why other guys would give this book a lower score (complex reading text), that would be unfair. Since I only found four grammatical errors, it's beyond doubt that Anchor is professionally edited. I recommend this to anyone above fourteen who loves psychological stuff. Besides, there is light sexual content in that's why it is inappropriate for anyone younger than 14.

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Anchor
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[CrazyLestat]

Thank you for your review.

Anchor seems like a very interesting read and I do enjoy a poetic Sci-Fi/Fantasy book.

Certainly it will go on my want to read book.

[Miraphery]

I do not usually like books that are a challenge to read as I do not enjoy rereading sentences to enhance understanding. I wouldn't enjoy this. Thanks for sharing though.

[NetMassimo]

The quote you included offers food for thought in a book that's quite difficult to label. Is it an inner journey? Regardless, it's certainly not for people looking for an easy read, rather for people looking for a deep introspection. Thank you for your great review!

[mmm17]

"Psychological fiction" is a genre that usually appeals to me, and this one appears to be worth reading. Thank you for a great review!

[Sharnish5]

I found it very attractive that author have really beautifully written the quotes where it all required. I ll give 4 stars for this book. I am debiting one star for the narration used was not quite fit in the sentences.

[Damis Seres Rodriguez]

Now that's an attractive description. Usually, not the kind of books I would pick, but this one seems interesting enough. Thanks for the review!