Reader Reviews
Before anyone buys a book, they need to know its interesting.
If you are curious if one of my books is right for you or someone you know, the reviews below are for you:
“This is the second book I have read of Daniel’s and I always get drawn in and can relate. There were so many layers in Son of a Madman, from a love story, to what’s happening with our food, how to self heal, how to deal with death, how to connect with people, and how to question life, just to name a few.
He has a way with words and keeps you drawn in. This book makes you reflect on your life and makes you want to grow. It’s not only a great story but also stimulating, making you wonder what’s going to happen next once you set it down.” — Greenishblue
“Philosophical fiction, Son Of A Madman follows Ivan and his senile father, Dillon who no longer has the will to live. It inspires us to question how we should live in this world.
It reminds us that change is a constant that we can expect throughout our whole lives. We can run from it but it will always catch up to us. This book urges us find the positive in change and what we can take from it.
I was really enjoying reading this as I loved studying Philosophy and it kept reminding me of things i had learnt! I have included some of these annotations in case anyone finds them interesting!” — Kodi Mahoney
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“This book is definitely an enjoyable read! Yes, it's very descriptive at times, but, I was able to connect with all the characters.
I related the most with Lilly and Ivan. I understood their feeling of being "stuck" in a place or situation, and how they lost a part of themselves as every day passed by.
I was also intrigued by the connection between Lilly's oldest son and Ivan. Her son had the courage to leave his situation while Ivan couldn't until later in life, when Amber walked into his life.
Amber was not only a great lesson to Ivan, but to all, including us readers. She changed my perspective on so many things I've always viewed as negative.” — Leah Aluie​
"As the title suggests - Alethea is the Ancient Greek Goddess of Truth - this collection of short stories concerns itself with not so much finding the universal truth of existence, but revealing the many different faces of it for all readers to see. Each story stands alone, but by the end of the book, you realize they are all fulfilling the same purpose, much like we humans do in this world.
These stories took me on a magical journey, in some cases to imaginary places, in others to painfully real ones, and in others, to places in my own mind and heart, I did not know existed. Like with any good philosophical fiction, the journey inwards comes with the territory.
The way Daniel blends the dreamlike with dark and heavy seems brutal on occasion, but then again, I wouldn't expect anything less of good philosophical fiction. Topics like freedom, capitalism, human nature, addiction, crime are tackled with ease and realism, never failing to keep the reader hopeful in the future, however. Even when he confronts us with our Sisyphean fate, Daniel makes sure we are also reminded of all the things that might just make it all worth it." — N.
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"Reading this book took me through a journey in my mind that felt both familiar yet mystical at the same time. Diving into each dream and subject led me down a path of imagination and exploration of my own mind and thoughts. " — Lisa Daley
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"First let me start off by saying that philosophical fiction is not my go to genre. Reading is a form of escapism for me, and thus I often read Fantasy or Sci-Fi, as what better way to get lost in a world of fae, or a grand space opera. Despite this I agreed to read Alethea’s Dreams as I’ve been challenging myself to step outside of my comfort genres.
The way Martin writes about philosophical ideologies is like poetry: 'Within these subjective multiverses, each human pushes their own boulder up the mountains of their life journey’s interpretation of the near impossible feat of finding purpose and meaning in a world which intrinsically has no such meaning.' "
— Bridget Womelduff
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"Bridged together as a sting of seemingly unrelated stories, Daniel B. Martin's book Alethea's Dreams poetically challenges you to think outside the box created by today's social norms. In a brilliant demonstration of philosophical fiction, Martin allows you to escape the modernized idea's of how to behave and function, and allows you to further escape the normalized order and predictability set by today's society. This is a must read for all those willing to open their mind to different perspectives and personalities."
— Alex Emmerson
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"I wasn't sure what to expect from this collection of short stories. This thought-provoking collection takes a look a philosophical look at various aspects of life; considerations of a consumer sale, the terror of coming under the influence of a drug cartel, and the healing of childhood trauma to learn to love among others. You will want to set aside some time to read and consider what is written from the various characters' perspectives. I assure you, you will be glad you did."
— Lyndi Allison
"This book will challenge you to think and look within yourself, to have self-honesty and question your thoughts, intentions, and directions."
— Leah Anuie
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"Poetic, dreamlike, this read was a beautiful journey..
The new book of Daniel B. Martin is a journey bound together through stories. The stories are readable on their own, though interwoven in one larger telling, a great exploration. It's in my nature to wander, to travel, to ask, to visualize, imagine, to be curious and to wonder. Daniel B. Martin pulled it off to stimulate this all, his stories bringing me to many corners and places of the book's world, perspectives and personalities. Poetic, philosophical and psychological, it becomes an exploration of the psyche, the journey inwards and then out again"
— Imara Obdam
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"My wish for humanity is for more people to see the world as author Daniel Martin does. That being said, Alethea’s Dreams is it’s own world: full of pain, love, curiosity, lessons and life. A collection of short stories that keep you thinking and on the edge of your chair, so to speak."
— Anela Lani
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"I would call this book, with the theme of the first story, a question-asking book, which is very powerful already.
What I appreciate the most about the book is that, with the relaxing yet deep reading experience, it manages to leave all the appropriate space for readers to complete all the stories in their own way, and to ask their own questions, regardless of what kind or what about."
— Wanling Xiong
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"Alethea’s Dreams shepherded me into the deepest channels and chambers of my heart. From the beginning story, ‘Domino’ I found myself gazing into the timeless quest of love versus greed and the Sisyphaen task we humans often feel within our lifetimes. There is something stark and beautiful whereupon we mortals within the cosmic fabric of existence can live with constant awareness & oblivion, fragility & whimsy, obnoxiousness & kindness, reflection & destruction..."
— Elizabeth Augustine
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"I really enjoyed this book. It took me on a thought rollercoaster. I would recommend this to anyone who is ready to look at themselves and humanity and do a little brain exercise."
— Hannah Bryant
"Magic, wonder, philosophy (namely phenomenology and existentialism) and travel all in one. It’s as if I was alongside the author on a soul journey, taking in all of of what both countries and people along the path had to offer him and us as readers. Being humorous and thought provoking at the same time, taking a trip through Life is Weird really reminds you that yes, Life is Weird but it is also very very beautiful. 'Once one fills their self, they begin to overflow and they can shower themselves upon others. Our lives, spent as a forest of mountains, living in the clouds.'"
— Anela Lani
"An enjoyable book, that not only entertains, but also makes you think. We join the author on his travels from the US to Europe, and through diary entries, experience life as a traveler and free spirit. It may seem as if the author is on an exciting journey without a care in the world, but this wouldn't be true. The travel entries are interspersed with philosophical musings, often deep, which show the author is very much aware of his existence and the world around him. The musings make you think about your own life, and your own attitudes towards others, particularly strangers, time and the fleetingness of existence, and freedom. I found myself pausing every now and then to reflect on the points the author brought to my attention. It's a sign of good literature if a book can entertain and make you think, both at the same time, which this one certainly can!"
— Heather Dixon
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"An intriguing philosophic journey across the intellectual and physical landscapes of our impossibly weird planet. Martin maps the evolution of his life's philosophy against the contours of his travels across the world. This book is ideal for the budding philosophy student who wants to explore the connection between the theories of the world's great thinkers and the contradictions that often define our everyday realities."
— Mario Vega​
"Daniel Martin takes you on philosophical and physical journey. It is a blend of existentialism and his personal reflections written in his travel journal as he visits parts of Europe. We can all find ourselves in unfamiliar situations that can make us apprehensive, what he refers to as weirdness. But it is the weirdness of life that one can find inspiration and strength. I enjoyed the journey immensely and am inspired to step out if the shadows and into the light. It is a must read for anyone who reflects on their existence."
— Margaret Chisholm