Memoirs of a Transferable Soul


Fiction - Literary
324 Pages
Reviewed on 05/13/2019
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Memoirs of a Transferable Soul is a work of curious and intriguing literary fiction by author W. Town Andrews. Fictionalized in part from strange experiences of a real-life figure, the plot focuses on a dying man who discovers a method of survival by inhabiting others when their souls have departed. Separating his soul and taking this wandering course sets the narrator on the path of necessity, for he must continue to dance with the dead and near dying in order to maintain his own newfound strength. This 'danse macabre' leads him into a new secret life, with much to learn about life, death, and mysteries beyond it all.

Literary in its purest form, the considerations about death, medicine and the nature of the terminal are almost spine-chilling in their creation by author W. Town Andrews. There is a definite talent for atmospheric creation, both when the strange journeys are made and in the overall journey of the narrator himself, leading to important questions which are sure to haunt readers long after the experience of the novel is over. The plot, as such, is a series of episodes which take a strange narrative twist and turn, bringing readers along with such immersion that you almost begin to believe that you are the one doing the inhabiting, melding narrator and reader into one for the experience. Strange, although perhaps not for all literary fans, this work is certainly amazing and incredible in conception and execution, making Memoirs of a Transferable Soul a highly recommended read.

Romuald Dzemo

Memoirs of a Transferable Soul by W. Town Andrews is a captivating, extraordinary story that centers on a man’s experience at the twilight point between life and death. Suffering from a terminal disease that specialists in different fields have failed to diagnose, a bedridden man discovers a door through which his soul leaves his body, thanks to the strange effects of experimental medication and contemplation. The soul wanders and temporarily lives where other souls go. He feels better each time the soul returns, with his abilities improved as well. But the symptoms of the illness eventually return and he must find a way to maintain his health, looking for more terminals to feed his energy, and how he does it is what will surprise and keep readers intrigued.

W. Town Andrews’ writing is lyrical and smooth and it grabs the reader from the very first page. I was literally glued to the pages, exploring the realism with which the author describes patients at a terminal stage. The images of the setting like the medical facility are vividly described. There is an economy of word that sets this author apart; the simplicity in the narrative style and beauty in phrase usage are some of the highlights of the prose. Memoirs of a Transferable Soul features themes of illness, solitude, dark despair, and explores mortality, showcasing a man’s struggle with the thought of his own death. The novel has strong elements that will entice fans of the paranormal; intriguing and filled with powerful plot points. The author combines strong narration with humor to transform an already beautiful story into a page-turner.

Lex Allen

The main (nameless) character and narrator of this tale suffers from a disease that a wide range of specialist physicians have been unable to diagnose. As he slips further towards death in a hospice, the narrator suddenly and inexplicably finds himself, in spiritual form, occupying the still warm body of his recently deceased roommate. The misadventure proves to be the beginning of a potential cure for his own illness, as each new spiritual adventure reinvigorates his body while simultaneously increasing his metaphysical strength and capability.

To say that Memoirs of a Transferable Soul by W. Town Andrews is literary fiction is to compliment the author's writing style while recognizing the social impacts of life, death, and the concept of a spiritual essence (soul) that is distinct from the physical body. At the same time, readers cannot ignore the commercial/genre fictional elements that present an exciting, page-turning paranormal storyline. Andrews interweaves the concept of astral projection to exciting new levels of understanding and potential in a fictional format. The story is narrated by a protagonist capable of examining his innermost feelings, the outside world, terminally ill patients and their respective family members, while analytically experimenting with his newfound talent. The narrator relates his adventures with a philosophical sense of calm humor and perceptive introspection. Andrews' writing style is a smooth flow of thoughts, ideas, and action words that fit both the literary and genre fiction story formats. Memoirs of a Transferable Soul is an entertaining and thought-provoking medical mystery with elements of the metaphysical and paranormal genres that readers will find hard to put down.

Divine Zape

Memoirs of a Transferable Soul by W. Town Andrews follows the path of a man with a rare terminal illness that evades diagnosis. But a combination of experimental medication and contemplation has opened the door to a rare experience, and now his soul can travel out of his body and wander about, taking residence where other souls have gone. Whenever it returns, his illness diminishes and his spiritual skills grow stronger. But he also realizes that his strength cannot endure for long until he seeks out and connects with new terminal partners. Now, he is caught in the dilemma of keeping his unique skill secret and locating the right terminal partners at the same time. Follow the journey of this soul as it drifts between life and death. Can he finally conquer his mysterious illness or be consumed by it?

The premise is powerful, and just the idea of an illness that can’t be diagnosed is in itself a mind-blowing worry, for how can one fight a disease they cannot name? The narrator, the mysterious patient, gives readers an insight into his struggle right away: “Though I was still a young man, the events had taken their toll. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but could see its depth in the doctors’ eyes, and feel its invasion wedging into my flesh, my bones, my brain, my spirit—my very soul.” The writing is characteristic of a lyrical style. The story is psychologically intense, exploring strong emotions and inviting readers to enter into the spiritual world of the protagonist. W. Town Andrews uses humor to embellish the writing and it comes across in the narrative voice and especially in the protagonist’s manner of looking at life and events. There is some form of mockery in the voice that makes complex issues look as though they are light. This lightness in voice combines with the intensity of the emotions captured in the narrative to make it an irresistible story. Memoirs of a Transferable Soul is hugely entertaining.

Christian Sia

Memoirs of a Transferable Soul by W. Town Andrews is a novel with powerful metaphysical underpinnings. The main character has a terminal illness that no medical professional has succeeded in diagnosing. But a combination of his current medication and meditation unlocks hidden skills and he begins to experience a transcendental phenomenon with his spirit leaving his body to occasionally dwell where other souls have departed. It’s a phenomenon that reinvigorates him, but every time he has to unlock his soul and wander in search of terminal partners to keep his strength up and stop the illness from getting stronger. Every time he returns from his soulful flights, he notices that his transcendent abilities grow stronger.

W. Town Andrews creates an enigmatic character who is at the same time troubled by his condition and yet eccentric in the way he talks about it. This story will appeal to fans of the paranormal and stories with elaborately and well-crafted characters. The story is told from the perspective of the protagonist, a character who navigates a strange world of terminal illness and extraordinary experiences. The reader is pulled in from the very beginning by the strong narrative voice and the exciting prose, and each page presents surprises, opens a new portal into this character's soul. He does things that he wouldn’t want anyone to know, has questions that he can’t ask anyone but he goes out of his body to seek answers to them. Memoirs of a Transferable Soul is humorously narrated, one of those books that remind readers of things they could do if only they were unseen. It is exciting, utterly engaging, and thought-provoking.