4-19-26 — Christina Critiques (Indie, Mainstream, and International Booker Nominee)

THE BOATMAN

By: Alex Grecian

Release: 4/14/26

Page count: 110

KU: No         Hoopla: No

Synopsis: A common cruise liner becomes hunted when a mysterious man, in a rowboat, leisurely stalks them.

First line: “June wanted for a morning when Walt had taken little Mai to the beach, then she rode her visible to the bazaar in Pekerjaan.”

Favorite line: “I didn’t want anyone to ever find me. I wanted to be forgotten.”

Thoughts: If you are planning or thinking of planning a cruise - read this novella first. How Grecian takes the reader through a claustrophobic, unnerving ride through decades but the isolation, fear, and finally acceptance is utterly astounding. The reader must also decide who is more evil - some of the crew members or the man in the white suit? Possibly the MUST READ of the year.

Rating: 10/5

Other recommendations: RED RABBIT

Find it here: https://a.co/d/05lMCtJc

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

By: R.J. Benetti

Release: 3/6/26

Page count: 28

KU: No        Hoopla: No

Synopsis: Albert has given the chance to prove that man is better than A.I. but ART won’t make it so easy.

First line: “It was the country’s most popular game show.”

Favorite line: “This isn’t innovation, it’s slavery.” … “Slavery? Does slavery cure cancer? Does it give homes to the homeless? Does it end wars?”

Thoughts: Brilliant Benetti! That’s his new nickname. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE isn’t a grossout story or even one with a lot of blood. What it is is a crystal ball into the future - one that we are so close to but some are too blind to see. A.I. can do amazing things, but where is the line? And if it’s crossed, can it be pulled back?

Benetti thrives in more literary fiction centered works, and this, yet again, proves it.

Rating: 5/5

Other recommendations: UNFIT

Find it here: https://godless.com/collections/the-drop-all-new-shit/products/artifical-intelligence-by-rj-benetti

VIGIL

By: George Saunders

Release:

Page count: 177

KU: No       Hoopla: No

Synopsis: An angel of sorts must get her latest charge, an elderly oil baron, to let go of any worldly regrets but her own past catches up with her at the same time.

First line: “What a lovely home. I found myself plummeting toward, acquiring, as I fell, arms, hands, legs, feet, all as which, as usual, became more substantial with each passing second.”

Favorite line: “My rear was in the air, my fresh new legs bicycling energetically.”

Thoughts: This one hurts. Even though there are plenty of laugh out loud moments, the reader must face their own mortality and inner questions regarding regrets and what ifs. And the story of Jill as a foil to K.J. Boone is perfectly heartbreaking.

Rating: 5/5

Other recommendations: LINCOLN IN BARDO

Find it here: https://a.co/d/0gq5VIw8

INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE NOMINEE

ON EARTH AS IT IS BENEATH

By: Ana Paula Maia

Translated: Padma Viswanathan

Page count: 105

Release: 8/12/25

KU: No        Hoopla: Yes

Synopsis: Convicts of a seemingly forgotten penal colony must not only survive the dwindling resources but the warden’s mental health.

First line: “Little is left, men or animals.”

Favorite lines: “He and the world both changed, but not in time with each other.”

“Shadows shouldn’t exist in darkness because they need light to come into being.”

Thoughts: Jesus Christ. There is more social commentary in here than most five hundred page novels - good vs. evil, mental illness, resignation to your fate, hope, isolation, leaders/followers. And that’s just the beginning. But fair warning - enjoy your free disassociation ride afterward, you’ll need it.

Rating: 5/5

Find it here: https://a.co/d/0j0J55jN