10 - 07 - 24

The Author ~ or ~ The Characters' Short Living Story by Facundo Raganato is a literary fiction novel that explores the metaphysical journey of six characters navigating an unknown world, guided by an unseen Author. The characters, trapped in darkness, search for the truth about themselves and their existence while being challenged by philosophical questions about identity, free will, and reality. The novel blends elements of existentialism, allegory, and dark philosophy, creating a complex and introspective narrative. Raganato tackles the difficult genre of metafiction with confidence and smooth control of the narrative flow, blurring the line between author, reader, and characters and creating a thought-provoking exploration of the creative process and the mysterious questions we all ask ourselves from time to time.

The deep psychological layering of each character, from their very relatable and human fears to their varied strengths, really shows off Facundo Raganato’s empathy and talent for crafting relatable, flawed individuals who reflect such universal human struggles. I was enamored by the intricate narrative style, filled with philosophical musings, interesting metaphors to highlight different points, and dark allegories that make the novel both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. There’s also a huge amount of imaginative world-building, where the surreal nature of the reality that shifts between our real world and that of the author’s creation offers a haunting and mysterious atmosphere that keeps us immersed in the unfolding drama, never knowing what will happen next. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend The Author to fans of intelligently penned, philosophical fiction everywhere.
 
- Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite