The Society of Experience
* Picked by Harper's Bazaar as one of the Top Ten must-reads of fall 2015!
“Matt Cahill's debut novel The Society of Experience explores the dangers of magical thinking in a most entertaining way. Both thoughtful and humorous, twisty and fun, this is transporting storytelling (in more ways than one).”
-- Andrew Pyper, author of The Demonologist and The Damned
“A swirling confident debut, supported by crisp prose without misstep, and containing many more original ideas than books three times its slender size. Sly and slippery fun – I thought of Ben Marcus and JG Ballard… writers who say don't worry I know what I'm doing as they break from the pack.”
-- Tony Burgess, author of Pontypool Changes Everything and The n-Body Problem
When his father — a distinguished writer — unexpectedly passes away, Derrick van der Lem’s insulated world implodes, leaving it a much stranger and crueler place than the one he knew. In the midst of his downward spiral, the mysterious Society of Experience asks him to take part in a baffling science experiment involving time travel that promises to change his life and pull him out of his rut.
When the experiment begins to untangle, Derrick finds himself out of his depth and in the middle of a nightmare, with only the company of a mysterious woman to steer him from chaos to heartbreak. Meanwhile, who are the society, and what are their true intentions for Derrick? Is time travel real, or is it yet another contrivance the Society has invented? Part Philip K. Dick, part post-modern mystery, The Society of Experience is an inventive, fast-paced story of a man’s journey through streets, alleyways and deserted buildings in search of a better tomorrow.
Where to buy: You can always call your local independent bookstore, but here are a couple of sites where you can order it directly for delivery to your door: my publisher Wolsak & Wynn, as well as Amazon.
Also available as an ebook. Note: I don't like Amazon and yet I understand the realities of the current marketplace. Amazon's pricing can be flakey depending upon the availability of copies. The other day I saw SoE going for over $40 which is ridiculous. If you see that, please order it from elsewhere. Or contact me if you want me to send you a copy.
