January's Paradigm

By J. Conrad Guest

Robert Porter is enjoying the fruits of success: a best-selling novel featuring a hard-nosed detective circa 1947 named Joe January, and a lucrative contract for the sequel. But his world comes crashing down around him when he witnesses his wife's infidelity.As Porter sinks into a morass of grief over her abandonment, only one person can help him regain his self-esteem and dignity. One man alone can help Porter set things right ... and that person's name is Joe January. But he doesn't even exist... or does he?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1588987442
• ISBN13: 9781588987440
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Booksurge Publishing
• Length: 340 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Terrific First Novel

Guest has crafted a very compelling tale in January's Paradigm; and I was fully engaged, page by page, in every character, until the clever end. Joe January's not always a likable sort, but he's well-developed and real; you probably know someone like him. The ingenious twist to this tale is that Joe January is but a displaced character, sprung to life from the pages of a successful novel. He's come to life to overcome unresolved emotions that his creator has suffered at the hands of an unfaithful wife. January is rightfully bitter and skeptical as he meets the characters who unfold the plan to bring January (and his alter-ego, novelist Robert Porter) home. Guest's first novel is vivid and visceral. That the supporting characters were developed to heal January's/Porter's heart demonstrates Guest's resourcefulness. I anxiously await the sequel by Mr. Guest, who I suspect has a bright future in the literary arena.

Challenging But Satisfying

I have turned the last page of January's Paradigm... J. Conrad Guest is truly a gifted author who has a brilliance to hiswriting that takes the reader away from the mundane stories... Guest has stepped beyond an average writer with a concept for a book like this one. Good job!

We want more!

It is different, which is hard to find today. It keeps you guessing until the end. That's entertaining. It wraps up intelligently. That makes me want more. I don't know much about writing but I do know about reading. I read this twice and enjoyed it just as much the second time. I've purchaced three copies as gifts (I've never done that before). All three gifts were greatly enjoyed. All four of us want more Mr. Guest! How about it?

This has something for everybody!

Film noir meets dreamscape meets sci-fi meets erotica meets... I'm a James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, Nelson DeMille, Dean Koontz, etc. sort of fan and found Guest' book matching up with all the positive attributes I like so much about these other authors. January's Paradigm is written with a sardonic and sarcastic sort of wit that I found appealing. Character development is outstanding and the story is not predictable - a real plus for me since I usually figure out most stories well before the conclusions.It's a great and fast read and offers heat in parallel with thought-provoking (and realistic) dialogue between interesting and off-beat characters.Can't wait for the next installment.

Great Introspection

The characters' indepth soul-searching is quite intriguing. Robert Porter and Joe January's relationship is fascinating; I really enjoyed how the author chose to create and develop their bond. While surviving divorce is painful, J. Conrad Guest shows us what a growth opportunity it can be. I like how Mr. Guest brought together the end of the story with each character fully understanding what they had brought to each other. I look forward to reading Mr. Guest's next book.