A Testament to Grace

Rating:
Summary: A pretentious, poorly written, revolting mess
Review: A tale of sex, violence, drugs and intrigue do not make for compelling reading when told my an inept storyteller. A Testament to Grace consists of graphic descriptions of sexual acts, most of them ludicrous, none of them erotic, connected by a vague plot. The characters are narcissistic, one-dimensional and dull, the convoluted storyline is laughable, and the author's footnotes (providing background on this "true" story) are an embarrassment. Anyone who slogs through this pretentious, poorly written, revolting mess past the first few pages deserves a medal. Here are a few of my favorite lines: "Those who were only watching, with nothing to do in the scene, were literally frozen to the spectacle, yet unable to keep still." "I was duly tied to the stake and set aflame and all my strength and intelligence were merely fuel for the fire which burned my ego to a pathetic crisp." "I can't honestly say what it would be, since I instinctually wished to avoid it like a plague."

Rating:
Summary: It Ain¿t Disney
Review: A Testament To Grace is an edgy, unrelentingly dark novel about a couple engaged in manipulating, controlling, deceiving and abusing each other and everyone around them. Structurally reminiscent of Nabokov's Lolita, the author presents the book as a "found" first-person manuscript written in a narrative voice akin to a misogynistic, sadomasochistic, egocentric Henry Miller. The sex and bondage scenes are more about power and control than titillation, each plot twist travels further down a road filled with unexpected and surprising deviousness, and the book is merciless in its quest to be emotionally violent, unsettling and disturbing. Not for the faint of heart, but if your tastes run toward underground, fetish, or alternative fiction then this might be the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: disappointing & disgraceful
Review: A Testament to Grace is, at best, a misguided experiment in alternative fiction. This novel was probably intended as a disturbing character study, or possibly a jaundiced view of modern relationships. Unfortunately for the reader, Kaufman fails to suspend disbelief, and "Grace" emerges as a tedious, often ridiculous testament to self-indulgence. The novel is the diary of Nicholas, an "attractive, sadistic, arrogant male." Nicholas has a poor command of his native language despite being a university lecturer; he writes in an awkwardly formal manner that is wearying to read. Nicholas' diary entries center around his unhappy marriage and his many affairs. He and his wife are abusive and amoral, though hardly intelligent or creative enough to qualify as true sociopaths. The text is riddled with errors and cliches abound "like a plague." A good editor might have rendered this too-long novel almost readable, though what "Grace" really needed was a skilled writer. Excerpt: "I am quite sure that man's life never re-reached such a pinnacle. From then on, the rest must have been all memory and bitterness. I know what you are thinking. That there are myriad joys equal to or greater in this world, more joys than stars or rain, but I feel sure, inexplicably sure, that he has never found even one. Joy can burn and cripple. Especially when it is not yours to control. It can destroy its own capacity, like overfilling a sack until it bursts. But do not worry, dear one. I will not be punished by my own medicine. I have tasted so much that I am both hungry and full. I have choice. I fear you will learn this. I admit it, I fear a lot of things today, but I have strength to mix that fear. It is an old recipe for courage and has always served me well, quite well."

Rating:
Summary: disappointing & disgraceful
Review: A Testament to Grace is, at best, a misguided experiment in alternative fiction. This novel was probably intended as a disturbing character study, or possibly a jaundiced view of modern relationships. Unfortunately for the reader, Kaufman fails to suspend disbelief, and "Grace" emerges as a tedious, often ridiculous testament to self-indulgence. The novel is the diary of Nicholas, an "attractive, sadistic, arrogant male." Nicholas has a poor command of his native language despite being a university lecturer; he writes in an awkwardly formal manner that is wearying to read. Nicholas' diary entries center around his unhappy marriage and his many affairs. He and his wife are abusive and amoral, though hardly intelligent or creative enough to qualify as true sociopaths. The text is riddled with errors and cliches abound "like a plague." A good editor might have rendered this too-long novel almost readable, though what "Grace" really needed was a skilled writer. Excerpt: "I am quite sure that man's life never re-reached such a pinnacle. From then on, the rest must have been all memory and bitterness. I know what you are thinking. That there are myriad joys equal to or greater in this world, more joys than stars or rain, but I feel sure, inexplicably sure, that he has never found even one. Joy can burn and cripple. Especially when it is not yours to control. It can destroy its own capacity, like overfilling a sack until it bursts. But do not worry, dear one. I will not be punished by my own medicine. I have tasted so much that I am both hungry and full. I have choice. I fear you will learn this. I admit it, I fear a lot of things today, but I have strength to mix that fear. It is an old recipe for courage and has always served me well, quite well."

Rating:
Summary: Riveting though distubing
Review: This book was such a ride...at first I didn't really jive with the evil nature of the characters but, I found myself engrossed nonetheless. The end was shocking and I liked it very much. I was sorry to see it end with so many questions unanswered - this is the kind of book I'd like to have a sequel to. I've heard the author is working on a new book and I look forward to reading it when it comes out. Kaufman is obviously a writer with much talent and it only remains to be seen what he will apply himself to next, I'm sure it will be another interesting ride.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting though distubing
Review: This book was such a ride...at first I didn't really jive with the evil nature of the characters but, I found myself engrossed nonetheless. The end was shocking and I liked it very much. I was sorry to see it end with so many questions unanswered - this is the kind of book I'd like to have a sequel to. I've heard the author is working on a new book and I look forward to reading it when it comes out. Kaufman is obviously a writer with much talent and it only remains to be seen what he will apply himself to next, I'm sure it will be another interesting ride.

Rating:
Summary: Graceful debut novel for Kaufman
Review: This debut novel of short story writer Kaufman, whose work has been seen in the Underwood Review and other literary journals, shows his command of language and characterization, but the reader is warned that the book has a few intense scenes of graphic sex and some torture, so you may not want to purchase it as a Xmas stocking stuffer. Kaufman's gift comes from taking two basically unlikeable characters, college lecturer Nicholas and his manipulative and voracious wife Constance, and weaving a tale of possession, power and madness around them. Despite Nicholas' endless observations of himself and life around him (in what is basically a diary format), Nicholas and Constance remain inscrutable and shadowy figures on the stage of their own lives. From a life of drug trafficking, sexual conquests along the lines of Dangerous Liasons, to the world of television soaps and eventually porno films, these two scheme, counterscheme, parry and thrust at each other, bound together by a deeper, if somewhat sicker, type of love. The title character of Grace, to whom the diary is written, is almost secondary to the action and I found myself wondering if she really existed or was merely Nicholas' device for exposing himself. If you liked "Vox" and are a fan of Nabokov, I think you will enjoy this journey to the underbelly of love. I understand Kaufman is working on a second novel and I look forward to seeing his art develop even further.