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THE HOST IN THE ATTIC - novella - ebook
Genres: Literary Fiction, Magical Realism
Age Groups: 18+
Formats: Ebook, Audio
https://www.rohanquine.com/the-host-in-the-attic
"The Host in the Attic" by Rohan Quine is a hologram of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray", digitised and reframed in cinematic style, set in London's Docklands in a few years’ time. High-flyer Jaymi discovers a secret novel online called The Imagination Thief, written by a woman named Alaia; and they meet and fall in love. In his attic he hides the prototype of a new worldwide Web-browsing hologram, for whose appearance he was the model. While this hologram deteriorates into ever more terrifying corruption, Jaymi’s appearance remains forever sweet and youthful, despite his escalating evil … until the inevitable reckoning unfolds. A Distinguished Favorite in the NYC Big Book Award 2021.
Brilliant software engineer Rik and executive Jaymi work at digital agencies in London (surely unaware that their fates are destined to echo those of Basil and Dorian, respectively the painter and the subject of "The Picture of Dorian Gray"). Rik uses Jaymi's appearance as the model or "skin" for a cutting-edge interactive hologram that navigates the Web in enhanced ways, tailored to every user. The dissolute bigwig "Champagne" Marc makes this into a business reality, and through his cynical eloquence electrifies Jaymi with the knowledge that Jaymi will hereby become the face of the Web. Throughout the film-shoot of Jaymi for the making of the skin, these honeyed words of Marc (like those of Wilde's Lord Henry to Dorian during the portrait's creation) light powerful fires of vanity and hubris behind Jaymi's eyes.
As this holographic Web-guide's hold over global information grows to a near monopoly, Jaymi is lionised, finding no door closed. But he yearns for still more: to see what the hologram *itself* can see online. So by trickery he succeeds in getting hold of a unique copy of the prototype hologram, with all regular filters removed.
In private files online he thereby discovers a not-yet-published novel that will come to be called "The Imagination Thief", by Alaia Danielle, with whom he has an intense romance (echoing Wilde's actress Sibyl Vane with Dorian). But when Jaymi brutally dumps her, triggering her suicide, he is shocked to observe, on the same evening, that the face on his private prototype hologram has become crueller. Fascinated, he realises its appearance is changing in accordance with his own behaviour—and he hides it in his attic.
For years he uses his unique online access for ever more megalomaniacal ends, ruining the lives of many whom he lures down into excess, addiction and suicide. While the hologram in the attic deteriorates into quite terrifying corruption, Jaymi's appearance remains as sweet and youthful as the day he was filmed ... until the inevitable reckoning unfolds.
REVIEWS:
https://www.rohanquine.com/press-media/the-novellas-reviews-media
VIDEO-BOOK:
https://www.rohanquine.com/t-h-i-t-a-video-book
and
https://www.rohanquine.com/t-h-i-t-a-video-book/short-teasers-for-the-host-in-the-attic-video-book
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https://www.rohanquine.com/buy/the-host-in-the-attic-novella-audiobook
Rohan Quine, The Host in the Attic, literary fiction, litfic, magical realism, horror, dark fantasy, cyberpunk, contemporary, science fiction, London, Docklands, Ontario Tower, hologram, search engine, attic, corridor, hatch, ladder, corrupt, Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
Reviews
Dan Holloway
Rohan Quine is one of the most brilliant and original writers around. His "The Imagination Thief" blended written and spoken word and visuals to create one of the most haunting and complex explorations of the dark corners of the soul you will ever read. Never one to do something simple when something more complex can build up the layers more beautifully, he is back with a collection of 4 seamlessly interwoven novellas. [...] suffice to say he is the consummate master of sentencecraft. His prose is a warming sea on which to float and luxuriate. But that is only half of the picture. He has a remarkable insight into the human psyche, and he demonstrates it by lacquering layer on layer of subtle observation and nuance. Allow yourself to slip from the slick surface of the water and you will soon find yourself tangled in a very deep and disturbing world, but the dangers that lurk beneath the surface are so enticing, so intoxicating it is impossible to resist their call.
Debbie Young, Amazon UK 1,000 Reviewer
A cautionary tale of the potential corrupting power both of vanity and of the internet plays out in modern London's high-tech dockland offices and luxury apartments, with brief forays to lavish West End hotels and country houses. [...] As the story becomes ever darker, gentle touches of humour provide a little light relief. I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of the women, especially the wonderfully petulant Angel Deon [...]. While at first this parable's main purpose may seem to rage against the principles of a high tech, monopolistic, capitalist world that enable individuals to lead unspeakably privileged lives above the law, it is at the same time a cautionary tale against narcissism and the abandonment of love and compassion for others. This broader theme gives the story its true heart and depth. Quine is renowned for his rich, inventive and original prose, and he is skilled at blending contemporary and ancient icons and themes. [...] an interesting approach to dialogue, blending idiom and phraseology from different eras, from Victorian times through 20th century popular film culture to the modern day. [...] There are some classic moments of horror that are very filmic, including one on a par with the "Psycho" shower scene. Without giving too much away, I can imagine this book might put readers off accessing their own attics for a while.
Suzi Rapport, Amazon
Resonates with our era’s Dark Web, excessive media saturation and unhealthy kinds of fame.
This novella is a brand-new take on Wilde’s iconic story -- a truly original reversioning that resonates with such elements of our contemporary world as the Dark Web, excessive mass-media saturation and unhealthy kinds of fame. I was enticed by the extreme creepiness of its interior settings and thrilled by my escalating apprehension at what new horror would greet my nerve-ends as soon as I was again pulled up that ladder and into the attic.
Awards
New York City Big Book Award -- Distinguished Favorite, Anthology category
Nov 30th, -0001