Category: Alemeth

If you’ve already read (or have at least begun to read) my novel, Alemeth, you may have experienced difficulty figuring out how much of it is true and how much fiction.  If so, you might be interested in the latest addition to www.jwcarvin.com.  It bears the intentionally old-fashioned and pretentious title, “A Reader’s Companion to Alemeth, with Commentary by the Author, in Which Particular Attention is Given to What is Real, and What is Not.”

It’s a free, downloadable .pdf file, which you can find at the Alemeth page of the website, or simply by clicking here:

Reader’s Companion

Warning: The Reader’s Companion contains plot spoilers and other material which might detract from enjoyment of the novel itself.  It is strongly suggested that you not read any further in the Reader’s Companion than you’ve read in the novel; ideally, it’s suggested you not read the Companion at all until you’ve finished the novel.

I’m delighted with the new Kirkus review published yesterday regarding my novel, Alemeth.

A bildungsroman follows a troubled boy’s upbringing in a politically charged antebellum South…   Carvin… masterfully brings to life a South in dramatic transition, and he avoids the binary categories of pro and con that often typify the genre. Eliza’s character, in particular, is well-drawn in subtle hues. She’s not quite an outright abolitionist, but her Christian compassion precludes an embrace of slavery… [T]his is a thoughtful, sensitive rendering of a complex period in American history… A philosophically challenging look at the inner turmoil of the American South in the 19th century.” — Kirkus Reviews

If you want to see someone giddy that maybe he hasn’t wasted the last seven years of his life after all, come by my house.  If you’re interested in the book, you can visit my website, jwcarvin.com (where you can download a copy for free) or, doggone it, just buy one from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.!

Alemeth has been a long time coming, but as of February 1st, it’s finally in print — all 422 pages, complete with illustrations, maps, and other graphics.  You can read more about the subject matter on the website — just go to jwcarvin.com.

There, you can download a copy FOR FREE as a pdf file.  You’ll also find options in case you feel like buying an actual book (you remember those, don’t you?)

It’s weird how the publishing world operates.  The printer just printed the novel for publication on Wednesday.  I found out last night (Thursday night) that my initial order had been shipped to me that day (yesterday), and is supposed to arrive here on Monday.  Being curious to see whether it was yet listed on Amazon.com and such, I visited Amazon, only to find that certain booksellers were already advertising USED copies of the book!  All I can figure is that some buyers are of the mindset that a used book is always a better buy, so they’re going to opt for the used copy, and these sellers cater to those bargain-minded buyers.

Well, don’t be fooled.  All the copies for sale ANYWHERE at this point are brand new, since they are in fact hot off the press.

If you’re interested, check out the website.  jwcarvin.com.