Indigo

Indigo . . . the exotic word conjurs up an electric gleam of color between blue and violet--a color that supposedly allows the viewer to attain the state of invisibility and yet eludes the naked eye under all but the most laboratory-perfect circumstances---circumstances that Jack Chambers's millionaire father seems to have mastered and has laid down for his initiates in his primer entitled "Invisibility: A Manual of Light."Jack's absentee father has died and as executor of his estate, Jack is stipulated by the will to publish the manuscript before he can collect his bequest. At first, Jack thinks the whole premise is crazy, yet he attempts the exercises in the manual on a whim, finding himself drawn not only into a confused state of mind but into his father's macabre world where murder and manipulation reign.The story's dual settings in Chicago and Rome embues the taut little plot with an ambiance both new and old which reflects the author's combination of an everyday somber reality to an edgy feral mythology. Jack's attraction to his previously unknown half-sister adds a raw frustration to the the drama as well as depth to his middle-age desperation.While I cannot say that I thought this novel had the most satisfying ending, I did find the reading of it enjoyable enough to recommend. References made to ancient Roman practices and their Indigo/Invisibility-related symbolism should have been better explained although the supernatural implications were enough to keep me entertained.

I love these type stories and this is probably the best one I have read in the genre. Several people searching for unlimited power.

Interesting Idea! I loved it! I haven't read one of Graham Joyce's books yet that I didn't like.

Rich, eccentric Tim Chambers, resident of Chicago and Rome, has died, and his estranged son Jack has been named executor of the estate. Chambers was a master of manipulation, and has left a manuscript with instructions for its publication. Entitled Indigo, A Manual of Light, it is nothing less than a set of instructions for teaching oneself to assume the aura of invisibility. Jack has inherited nothing of his father's fortune, which goes to half-sister Louise and to a protege named Natalie, but he's been designated the estate executor. Resentful and perplexed, he sets out to accomplish his assignment as quickly as possible. Traveling to Rome with Louise, Jack is greatly disconcerted to find himself powerfully attracted to her. When he meets Natalie, an artist, he is equally drawn to her. His time in Rome grows increasingly surreal, as Natalie encourages him to follow the bizarre process set out in the Manual of Light.Beautifully written, author Joyce imbues his tale with the imagery of light and color, which works especially well in the Roman setting. The deceased Tim Chambers is very much a presence, though not in the ghostly sense. The narrative is interrupted by both a series of flashbacks and chapters from the manual, and at times, like Jack, the reader wonders what is real and what is illusion. He gradually arrives to the realization that his father is still manipulating him and others from the grave, which creates a sort of mild paranoia. Compelling on the psychological and metaphysical levels, the novel ends with a final conundrum that does not quite dispel all its mysteries.

this is another great novel...dear lovers of magical realism and mystery,... by Graham Joyce. Jack was deserted by his father when he was five, and later, after college, when he has a chance to get to know him, he finds he has even more reason to hate the man. Now his father has died and left him with nothing to inherit but a half sister he barely knows, and a small fee as executor of his will, which includes a provision to publish his father's book on learning to see Indigo and thereby learning to be Invisible. Taking place mostly in Chicago and Rome, the two places, according to the book, where Indigo can be most easily seen, the novel leads one to wonder can one really find Indigo and become invisible? And what would you do with that power if it was yours? Graham Joyce continues to entertain. He is a great writer.kyela,the silver elves

I must say that I would not hesitate one second to pick up another one of Graham Joyce's novels. This one had me clinging to every word and eager to read the next chapter.The story of an English ex-Bobby, who travels to Chicago upon hearing the news of his eccentric, estranged father's death, and gets a mystery thrust upon him which leads him to Rome along with his half-sister to whom he is uncomfortably attracted to. Our main character also must publish his father's manuscript regarding the elusive colour, Indigo and on attaining invisiblility.While the writing is superb and the story moved along at a perfect pace, it was the ending that absoutely caused the story to fizzle. After such an extraordianry buildup, I must echo what other reviewers have said-- the ending just did not work.Still, I would reccomend this book to fans of mystery and sciFi as it is very well written and the story is clever for the most part.