Indie book: In the Fool's Footsteps

       "In the Fool's Footsteps", a new indie book that I just read, is definitely hard to put down. Karen Hoffman's complex structure of books within a book and a-million-characters set up is an innovative collection of writings. The story begins as main character feels compelled to read a diary of many peoples' lives. The main character's determination to find out where this diary came from, her struggle to decide whether she wants to write in it also, and her attempt to juggle her personal life too causes severe chaos in Kal's life.

       Clara's diary is the pit of a thousand secrets for centuries that have passed. Because of this, many people strive to keep these secrets within the confines of the people who write in the diary; however, Kal's determination to publicize the secrets is disrupting everything. Some writers are mad, some don't care, but all of them play a part in this special project. So what happens?

** Spoiler Alert **

       Well, it takes a bit to get used to the structure because it jumps from one character to the next, but if you stick with it, this book gets really good. Between Kal's personal life and the diary she is pursuing for falling on her, Kal has a lot cut out for her. Even worse than this is that the more people she interviews, the more she is beat down. The situation gets severely intense when she realizes the terrible abuse her lover is facing, but life still gets worse from there. A van gets vandalized to pieces, books and papers are stolen, and Kal has to suffer through it all alone. Who is behind all this and why is it such a huge secret?

       The controversy that lies within this book is various. It ranges from teen pregnancy to rape, from a same sex relationship to suicide, and even more. Hoffman has made this book reach boundaries without actually pushing them. The most extreme sexuality portrayed directly is a soft kiss and the only intoxication of the main character is by beer.

       I simply adore the effects of the foreshadowing in each chapter. It kept me guessing at the next part of the story and wondering what the next character would be like. My favorite character of all was Jen for her crazy goth style. Cherise and Marc were also quite fascinating in the ways they partied, dressed, associated with others, and reacted to certain things. It would be so wonderful to read this again with someone else so I could discuss the variety of riveting details.

P.S. Isn't the cover just amazing?

Karen Hoffman's "In the Fool's Footsteps" can be purchased for $12.99 as a paperback book or $2.99 as a Kindle edition at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fools-Footsteps-Karen-Lynn-Hoffman/dp/1475267045

There is also a book reading on Youtube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNHiVNjjAQk
AND
a book signing being held on September 8th. For more details visit Karen Hoffman's blog at http://prosperocious.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/pandemonium-books-discs/