DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome

A Journey Through Identity and Self-Discovery

Man Martin author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Unbridled Books

Published:1st Jun '17

Currently unavailable, our supplier has not provided us a restock date

The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome cover

In The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome, Bone King navigates an unusual condition that challenges his sense of self, leading to surprising revelations and personal growth.

In The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome, we meet Bone King, a man who faces an unusual challenge: he struggles to navigate through doorways, not due to any physical limitation, but because his mind and body often fail to coordinate. This peculiar condition may stem from his constant preoccupation with grammar and etymology or perhaps from the anxiety that his wife could be unfaithful with the yardman. Bone's life becomes increasingly complicated as he grapples with these thoughts, leading to a profound sense of disconnection from reality.

Renowned neurologist Arthur Limongello steps in with a diagnosis that is as unconventional as Bone's ailment. He suggests that Bone's self is beginning to detach from his brain, presenting a unique therapeutic approach that involves a series of daily tasks aimed at reconnecting him with his identity. These tasks include complimenting strangers, performing good deeds spontaneously, and starting each day with the affirmation that it is indeed a good day. As a temporary measure, Limongello even encourages Bone to dance through doorways, a strategy that surprisingly yields some positive results.

However, as Bone begins to find some stability in his life, his world is turned upside down when his wife leaves him. Following a near-death experience, Bone uncovers shocking truths about Dr. Limongello and the legitimacy of his treatment. The narrative raises questions about the nature of self and the efficacy of unconventional remedies in addressing modern existential crises, making The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome a thought-provoking exploration of identity and connection.

“Man Martin is one of the most wildly inventive writers to come my way in years. I could invoke various names--Barry Hannah and Padgett Powell come to mind--but really, he's got his own voice, and it's one you won't forget.” – Steve Yarbrough
“It’s the rare novel that can achieve this perfect mix of whimsical and smart. In The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome, a wry, warm-hearted tale of medical mystery, Man Martin offers a diagnosis and a cure for the ills of the modern age, one that will make readers look more deeply into their own lives and disconnections.” – Sheri Joseph
“An exceptional book: smart, funny, and clever. Martin has a deft and subtle touch when commenting upon the human condition, and I see a little of myself in each of his characters. The bar for good fiction has once again been raised.” --Raymond L. Atkins
“Cleverly exuberant and exuberantly clever, The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome mixes satire, slapstick, and surreal hilarity into an improbable stew of human frailty and Kafkaesque charm. A delightful romp full of heart and humor.” --Dinty W. Moore
"A ...charming, gravely loopy bit of whimsy equally likely to appeal to amateur etymologists, untenured academics, spouses who fear cuckolding, and anyone who's ever woken up with the feeling that they aren't quite themselves." --Kirkus Reviews
“In his third novel, Martin celebrates language, absurdity, and human connection . . . Martin’s offbeat humor and sharp wit call to mind Thomas McGuane, while the charmingly hapless Bone is a singular joy to encounter.” –Jonathan Fullmar,Booklist
“an intelligent, whimsical gem of a novel . . . laugh-out-loud funny . . . infused with touching moments . . . Humorous plays on words, shrewd turns of phrases, oxymorons, and paradoxes: there are enough literary techniques employed in The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome to delight any word lover. Coupled with a funny and touching storyline, they make for a winning combination within a truly unique and gratifying reading experience.” --Foreword

ISBN: 9781609531416

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

304 pages