Stuart Archer Cohen

Stuart Archer Cohen’s new novel is, to say the least, polarizing. His world view and philosophical outlook inform both the message and the tone of the book. So, needless to say, some readers are not going to be pleased with what they find between the covers. But, if you can put your firm and unwavering convictions aside and allow this tale of dictatorship and dissent to speak to you, you might actually enjoy the ride.

One way in which the book will not change some minds is through the hyper-realistic settings and events. When writing a cautionary tale about modern-day events and politics, most authors will either keep the narrative grounded firmly in the real world. Some, however, will make their point by taking real events and situations and exaggerating them to an almost absurd degree. The latter, while sometimes distracting, does not necessarily discredit the message within. 1984, A Brave New World, and Atlas Shrugged are just some examples of philosophical theses successfully encapsulated in a science-fiction or fantasy shell. The Army of the Republic may seem farfetched in some spots, and may occasionally overreach in others. But those perturbed by this might be better off reading a Clancy or Grisham paperback. Deep (and sometimes radical) beliefs occasionally need to be shouted from soap boxes bigger than the real world can currently afford us.

Cohen may not be successful in converting the unconvinced with his spectacular tale of ruthless corporate oligarchs, Blackwater reminiscent death squads, and radical underground movements. But he makes his argument loud, clear, and most importantly, highly entertaining.… (meer)

This is as close to the Great American Novel as anything I've read in recent memory. Cohen sticks this often-attempted-but-rarely-landed jump by creating three characters who share a common name (Peter Harrington) and passion for skiing, leading them down paths that intersect in unlikely ways and ultimately converge in a remote Alaskan town. On the surface, each Pete Harrington has little in common; one being a washed-up rock star, another a reviled Wall Street banker seeking anonymity in Shanghai after bilking $800 million from his fund's investors, and the third an extreme skier who once was regarded as the best in the world. But as the reader gets to know the three Petes, brilliantly brought to life through their unique voices and motivations, it becomes apparent that each has a yearning for the "Other Life" (Cohen's concept of the American Dream, symbolized by a glamorous advertisement in New Yorker magazine) that's impeding his happiness.

The novel hits full stride when rocker Pete, facing bankruptcy after losing millions in banker Pete's investment fund, embarks on a bizarre quest to avenge the bilked investors by travelling to Shanghai with intent to assault the banker. The author's depiction of present-day Shanghai, along with flashbacks to the way the city was at the time of the Communist revolution (as seen through the eyes of rocker Pete's security consultant) are beautifully rendered. And the way in which Cohen contrasts the image of the Other Life with an equally-tantalizing vision of a simple life lived in a country cabin is brilliant and haunting.

This novel is a masterpiece that both entertains and resonates with profundity.… (meer)