I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man continues his journey of discovering his identity in author Matt Duggan’s “In Extremis”, the second book in The Rosy Dream series.
The Synopsis
In Extremis is the second novel in Matt Duggan’s The Rosy Dream trilogy and takes readers on an immersive journey through the contrasting landscapes of 1990s and 2008 Los Angeles. Jack, the protagonist, navigates a series of misadventures and encounters with peculiar characters, uncovering a web of secrets and revelations that challenge his understanding of life and his own identity. The novel skillfully weaves together the two timelines, immersing readers in the vibrant energy of Los Angeles and its gritty underbelly. With suspense, introspection, and dark humor, In Extremis explores the depths of human nature, the search for meaning, and the unexpected paths one may take.
The Review
This was a compelling sequel to the author’s first book in this series. The changing perspective in timelines and the rich setting of California allowed the personal story of Jack to evolve and grow naturally, and the balance of witty absurdism with mounting permitted tension the narrative to feel alive on the page. The way Jack’s story mirrors the life of so many people who seek to make their dreams come true in Los Angeles is very engaging, and the wealth of different characters he encounters during his adventures will leave the reader eager for more.
The heart of this narrative rests in the continuing evolution of Jack, the story’s protagonist. His growth and changing perspective on life between the ’90s and 2008 were fantastic to read about. His growing desire to educate and gain knowledge of anything involving the abstract and his laid-back, almost carefree outlook on life that he took on when undertaking any situation made him such a relatable character, as readers either identify with or know someone like Jack intimately.
The Verdict
Though thought-provoking, entertaining, and deeply heartfelt, author Matt Duggan’s “In Extremis” is a must-read novel. The sense of adventure and exploration of 90s era Los Angeles will stay with readers long after they finish this book, and the humor that the author pierces the tension within the book with makes this feel like such a well-rounded journey for the protagonist, leaving readers eager to get their hands on the final book in the trilogy. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Matt Duggan, an award-winning writer based in Los Angeles, California, boasts a rich and diverse creative background. After graduating from Boston College with degrees in English and Communications, Matt immediately jumped into the world of filmmaking. As one of the first members of the renowned Annex Film Group, Matt contributed to the production of their critically acclaimed short films, recognized with numerous awards and global screenings.
Duggan’s directorial debut, Inverse, a feature film which he produced, wrote, and directed, garnered widespread acclaim, winning multiple accolades throughout its yearlong festival tour. Notably, Inverse premiered at the prestigious Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival, captivating audiences with its innovative narrative. The film continued to impress, securing Best Sci-Fi Narrative Feature Film at the Philip K. Dick Film Festival and other esteemed awards.
In addition to his successes in film and literature, Matt has garnered acclaim for his web series, including Man Vs. and Not Suitable for Work, demonstrating his versatility across various mediums.
A career highlight for Matt was his involvement in Marlon Brando’s documentary on acting, Lying for a Living, where he had the honor of spending two weeks alongside luminaries such as Robin Williams and Sean Penn.
Matt’s creative endeavors extend beyond the realm of cinema, with his literary works showcased in publications such as The Menacing Hedge and The Literary Hatchet. His debut novel, Ostraca, marked the inception of his compelling The Rosy Dream series, captivating readers with its vivid storytelling and exploration of the human condition.
Interview with Author Matt Dugan
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I was born and raised in a small town on the Hudson River, about an hour north of New York City. I went to school in Boston, then after graduation I drove to Los Angeles to be an actor. I studied acting for three years, but it was more like a graduate program in being an artist. Not long after, I turned my artistic focus onto writing. I became interested in writing back in high school. I took a class on Greek mythology which I loved. I made-up my own Greek mythologies and wrote really bad poems about my made-up gods. In college, I was an English major. I had a creative writing class with Pagan Kennedy, a terrific author and columnist. She gave me confidence in my writing. She highlighted where my strengths were. She was an excellent teacher. I’ve been writing ever since. I started writing plays, then wrote screenplays, and then wrote my first book Ostraca which I published in 2019.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
When I drove across the country in 1996, I camped out most of the way. The encounters and experiences that I had really affected me. I had a powerful desire to write it all down, so I filled a journal with the experiences. Flash forward to 2015. I had an urge to write a novel based on that journal from all those years ago. The result was Ostraca. My inspirations were connection and experience. The protagonist in the novel, Jack Darmody, references Leonardo Da Vinci, who called himself a “disscepolo della sperientia”, a disciple of experience. That resonated deeply with me. That was the driving force behind the novel. Specifically, the experience and connection we have with each other. I was inspired to translate my feelings about this into words.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope readers feel a connection when they read each novel in my trilogy, starting with Ostraca. The world today is especially dark, angry, and disconnected. It shouldn’t be. We should instead focus on human interaction; it draws out the best parts of ourselves. The undeniable truth about us is that we need to be loved, and also, we want to give love. We should live these truths.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
When I was a kid, I hated reading. I wanted to live outside. My parents had to practically drag me into the house each night. I was like a wild animal. Reading was boring. But suddenly in young adulthood, I couldn’t read enough. I devoured books. But my interest was mostly in the literary fiction genre. That genre most appealed to me because, artistically, I’m fascinated with the artist’s voice. With 200,000 years of human existence, we aren’t going tell new stories. The themes, plots, tropes, structure…they’ve all been done. But what stands out is how each story is told. The voice it’s told in. I find that in the literary fiction genre.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I’d sit down with Jack Darmody, my protagonist. I’d ask him, “Why are you running so hard from your past? Why don’t you stop and face the demons?” But of course, unpacking this is what makes the story so fun to write.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I’m awful at social media. I’d rather wander around my backyard and watch the birds return after a long day, or admire the sun arching west. It’s the wild animal in me. I hate staring at a screen, scrolling vitriol. Also, I don’t think I have a good online personality. Too much is lost in translation. I have a very gallows sense of humor; that doesn’t always go over well in a tweet or post. With that said, I will be activating my Twitter/Facebook/Instagram accounts to promote the second installment of my trilogy in May. So, social media is an unavoidable reality, I guess.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
There are two keys to being an author. The first is to write. Write and write. Write and write and write. All that verb requires is elbow grease. Discipline is the second key. You have to be a dictator over your writing. You have to write regardless rain or shine. It is hard work. It is largely unrewarding, mostly without recognition, it requires a lot of sacrifice, and it is always lonely. But if you embrace all of that, and are not deterred by that, you will crack open whole new universes of possibility and joy. And the rest will come. You first have to discover, develop, and embrace your talent and voice. You do that through writing. I’ve written heaps of garbage. You have to sludge through it to find the gems. They’re there.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m releasing In Extremis, the second installment of my trilogy, at the end of May of this year. I’m also finishing a streaming series that has some industry interest, called Hell High. Starting in 2025, I’ll begin work on the third and final installment of my Rosy Dream trilogy. That prospect frightens me because I’ve spent nine years now with Jack and his menagerie of characters. It will be very hard to say goodbye.
About the Author
Matt Duggan is an award-winning writer and director based in Los Angeles, California. After graduating from Boston College with degrees in English and Communications, Matt jumped into filmmaking. He was one of the first members of the renowned Annex Film Group, a film co-op that produced sixteen critically acclaimed short films, recognized with numerous awards and global screenings. Duggan’s feature film, Inverse, which he produced, wrote, and directed, garnered widespread acclaim, winning multiple accolades throughout its yearlong festival tour. Notably, Inverse premiered at the prestigious Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival. The film also secured Best Sci-Fi Narrative Feature Film at the Philip K. Dick Film Festival and other esteemed awards.
Beyond film, Duggan’s literary works have been featured in publications like The Menacing Hedge, with his debut novel Ostraca initiating the captivating The Rosy Dream trilogy. He’s also known for his popular web series and his involvement in Marlon Brando’s documentary Lying for a Living.
Currently, Duggan is developing the series Hell High while eagerly anticipating the release of In Extremis, the second installment in The Rosy Dream series, showcasing his visionary storytelling and creative versatility. In Extremis will be published in May 2024.
