Best Reviewed Books of November on IndieReader - Simon's Mansion

Simon's Mansion is among the Best Reviewed Books of November on IndieReader.


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IndieReader Review, 4.6 Stars. In Simon's Mansion, Simon "... faces the ghosts of his past to desperately find what ultimately matters, creating an emotionally resonant story of universal reach." ~Geoff Watkinson

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IndieReader Review 4.6 Stars In SIMON’S MANSION, William Poe brings his character Simon back to his small town home in Arkansas as he faces the ghosts of his past to desperately find what ultimately matters, creating an emotionally resonant story of universal reach. SIMON’S MANSION, the third book in William Poe’s LGBT literary fiction series, is a compelling story about Simon, the protagonist, and his journey of self-discovery while navigating a strange family dynamic as he explores creativity, religion, and the relationships that ultimately define him. Poe writes, halfway through the novel, “Simon gave himself permission to love, to pursue his art and his education; he accepted the right to be himself despite what others wanted from him. Science made sense, and that was what Simon needed most—for his life to make sense” (153). The third-person omniscient narrator allows the reader to know Simon intimately, as he finds his way through the existential conf...
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"What sets this book apart is its raw originality." BookLife Fiction Prize 2019 Semifinalist Judge on Simon's Mansion.

BookLife Prize 2019 Semi Finalist Plot/Idea:  10 out of 10 Originality:  10 out of 10 Prose:  10 out of 10 Character/Execution:  10 out of 10 Overall:  10.00 out of 10 Assessment: Plot : Though Poe offers a thoroughly compelling and propulsive plot, the author displays a somewhat impatient tendency to skim-over potentially rich scenes in favor of more slow-going descriptions and allusions. The novel's unexpected developments and narrative breadth, however, allow this work to resonate.  Prose : While at times Poe's abstractions can unnecessarily obfuscate the circumstances, the author delivers a finely tuned narrative with literary prose that is smooth, rich, and rhythmic in cadence.  Originality : What sets this book apart is its raw originality.  Simon’s Mansion  sensitively and realistically captures the struggles of a young man seeking truth and acceptance following a period of intense struggle. That the author dr...
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The Simon Powell Novels

  The Simon Powell Novels —including the award-winning novels Simon Says , Simple Simon , Simon’s Mansion, and the upcoming Simon Afterward — follow Simon Powell from a childhood shaped by Arkansas family legends through a turbulent search for faith, love, identity, and a life he can honestly call his own. Raised on stories of self-sacrifice and moral duty, at eighteen Simon leaves home for Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, surrendering himself to a vision of divine purpose while denying the truth that he is gay. When his faith in the church collapses, Simon loses the belief system that had given his life purpose and meaning. Hollywood offers reinvention—but success in the film business, drug abuse, and the consequences of his choices draw Simon into a life he can no longer control. Simon’s stormy relationship with the love of his life survives addiction, breakups, and threats from Simon’s past. As Simon struggles to rebuild his life, pursue his art, and make a home wit...
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