“This was written for you”, although short, is packed full of meaning and nuance.
This article was written to try and help readers to make the most of the story by highlighting some of the main themes, talking points and achievements of the novel, focusing specifically on what it is that makes the discovery so special.
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"This Was Written For You": Uniqueness in fiction
The book has a unique approach to storytelling. Whilst many elements in the book have been attempted before, the style, approach, mystery and concepts within the story are very distinctive. This is increasingly hard to achieve as the body of literature available to the world increases exponentially. In a text that is at least thirty years old, it is something very special indeed.
Ethics and spirituality: The story explores consciousness, love, addiction, war, grief, loss, pain, meaning and transcendence. From each of these, the story offers insight and guidance on how these things can be savoured or endured. It also makes us consider many ethical, philosophical and religious questions. For some, the book promotes humans as gods, reshaping our understanding of the hierarchy of consciousness. There are very few other works of literature that achieve so much with so few words.
Breaking the fourth wall: The narrator's direct address to the reader, explicitly stating that the text was written for them shatters the traditional barrier between the fictional world and the reader's reality, attempting to create a personalized and immersive experience. The narrator consistently refers to the reader as "you," blurring the lines between character and audience. This constant interplay pulls the reader deeper into the narrative, challenging them to consider their own role in shaping the story's meaning. This is not the first book to do this but it is a very rare example of one that relies upon it as part of the overall message.
Metafiction and the nature of reality: The book engages with metafictional concepts, questioning the very nature of reality and the act of storytelling. The narrator, who claims to reside within the reader's mind, becomes a manifestation of the reader's own imagination. This blurring of reality and fiction compels the reader to confront the idea that the story they are reading is, in a sense, a product of their own mind. Very few authors have ever attempted this.
The reader as co-creator: The concept of the reader as a co-creator is woven throughout. The narrator emphasizes that "nothing is real until it is observed", suggesting that the reader's act of perception brings the fictional world into being. This idea is further explored through the narrator's ability to manipulate the reader's perception, creating a false sense of reality within the narrative. This challenges the passive role often assigned to readers, positioning them as active participants in the construction of the story's meaning. To our knowledge, there is no other literature that has attempted this in the same way.
Exploration of consciousness and imagination: The book explores the complex relationship between consciousness and imagination. The narrator, as a manifestation of the reader's mind, embodies the power of the imagination to create and shape reality. This highlights the intricate workings of the subconscious, with characters like J, C, and Stein representing different facets of the reader's inner world. This is an extremely rare theme in fiction.
Writing technique
The story relies upon the narrator, J and C changing depending on the preferences of the reader. This is incredibly complex and there are very few other examples of authors attempting this. To make it work, the author employs several techniques to leave the physical characteristics of J, C, and the narrator open to interpretation.
Absence of gendered pronouns: The narrator consistently avoids using gendered pronouns (he/she/him/her) when referring to J, C, or themselves. As the text is probably sixty to thirty years old, it is unlikely that this is a political statement. The author relies on the gender-neutral pronoun "they" or the character's name. This deliberate omission prevents the reader from making assumptions about the characters' genders based on traditional pronoun usage. For instance, the narrator often refers to J and C by name: "J paused to think...", "C looked knowingly at me." And "The changes I'd noticed in C were all I could think about until J and I entered the colossal entrance hall of Stein’s institution, where a man with a clipboard pointed to seats and told us to wait." This limits the number of ways each action of these characters can be described and yet the novel is vividly descriptive throughout. It also means that one of the critical moments within the story, the assault of J, can be viewed from the prism of either a homosexual or heterosexual act, depending on the sexual preferences of the reader.
Focus on sensations and emotions: Descriptions of J, C, and the narrator often center on their emotions, thoughts, and sensations rather than their physical attributes. This focus shifts the reader's attention away from visual appearances and encourages them to engage with the characters on a more internal level. For example, the narrator describes their feelings for C: "...it spurred within me more than mere desire.", and J's emotional response to the dream: "J’s strength and self-confidence has been destroyed. Only an oppressive emptiness is left.".
Abstract and symbolic descriptions: When physical descriptions are used, they tend to be abstract and symbolic rather than concrete. C is described as "the most special thing in your head, almost a divinity...", while J is introduced through a visualization exercise: "Now bring them to life. Imagine the sparkle of their eyes, the perfect grooves of their body, the lightness of their movements. Now you have that person in your mind, let’s name them, ‘J’." This allows the reader to project their own interpretations onto the characters.
Emphasis on character interactions: The narrative focuses on the dynamics and relationships between the characters, emphasizing their interactions and shared experiences rather than their individual appearances. This further deflects attention from physical descriptions and encourages the reader to invest in the complexities of their relationships. Many conversations and shared experiences are discussed, for example, J and the narrator having fun: "J and I floated together through upside down hills and sideways lakes within the depths of your own subconscious. We were engrossed in our pursuit to better know each other and the marvels of our creator. You."
By using these techniques, the author effectively avoids imposing fixed identities on the characters, creating space for readers to engage with them in a more personal and imaginative way. The ambiguity surrounding their physical attributes fosters a deeper exploration of their inner lives, motivations, and the abstract concepts they represent.
Meanings and meta-meanings: reader vs. author
The book is rich with ambiguity, allowing for vastly different interpretations depending on whether one considers it from the perspective of the reader or the author. This multifaceted nature of the text is a key element in its exploration of consciousness, reality, and the power of storytelling.
Here are some examples of how interpretations might diverge:
The nature of the narrator:
Reader's perspective: The reader is asked to imagine the narrator as a distinct consciousness residing within their own mind. However, they may equally decide to interpret the narrator as a distinct consciousness residing in the mind of the author, separating themselves from the text. They may equally decide to interpret the narrator as a distinct consciousness residing in the mind of a reader who the book was written for.
Author's perspective: The author, however, may view the narrator as an actual part of themselves. They could have written the book never meaning for it to be found but only to give what felt like a part of themselves a voice through writing the story. Equally, the entire text could be quite literally real for the author - a genuine expression of an experience that happened to them. Alternatively, this method of storytelling could have been deliberately chosen to create depth and ambiguity within the text. Or, most likely, as an attempt to create a more immersive style of literature for the reader that creates a number of different perspectives from which to consider every piece of action.
The concept of "becoming real":
Reader's perspective: The reader might view themselves as the conduit through which the narrator has become real. A literal interpretation of the text tells the reader that they have imagined the book and therefore brought it to reality without any memory of writing it. From this perspective, the reader is making themselves more real by reading the book and passing it to other people who, in turn, experience the same story and concept in a different mind.
Author's perspective: If we refuse to believe that the book is magical and instead was written by someone, the interpretation changes completely. The author has created a part of reality by creating characters, a concept and a story and then having other people read it. They are making themselves more real through by writing, by implanting a part of themselves into the minds of the readers.
The sources’ deliberate ambiguity encourages readers to engage actively with the text, constructing their own interpretations based on their unique experiences and perspectives. This open-endedness enhances the text's power to spark introspection and ignite conversations about complex philosophical and ethical questions.
Purpose and meaning of "This was written for you"
Normally, we might be forgiven for thinking that the only person who can give an authoritative response on the true purpose of a book, is the author. However, not only is this the one person we do not have access to but the book specifically tells us that reality is the perceptions that are shared rather than necessarily the perceptions we have as individuals. Therefore, the author is inviting us to become part of the book’s overall purpose, or at least, engage in the many different interpretations. Maybe all the below interpretations form the purpose of the book, maybe none of them do. But some of the power of the book certainly comes from the way it is presented. Here is something that is part conceptual art, an old journal written for whoever happens to find it, with a message from part of them they never knew existed. But it is also a literary and philosophical exploration. This creates something that is an experience, something that challenges perceptions and promotes curiosity in equal measure. And perhaps, this is the purpose of any art?
The allure and danger of transcendence or religion: The narrator's yearning to "become real" represents a universal human desire for meaning, purpose, and connection with something larger than oneself. This longing is explored through the narrator's experiences with Stein and her harmful experiments, which offer a false promise of transcendence through pain and manipulation. The book’s caution against seeking fulfilment through external means, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and the realization of one's inherent potential. This is particularly controversial as an interpretation in religious circles, as it suggests that our own imagination is the creator and this advocates that humans create gods rather than the other way around.
Challenging the boundaries of reality: The book blurs the lines between the real and the imaginary, prompting readers to question their assumptions about what constitutes reality and the power that the imagination has to determine what reality becomes. It questions whether our minds exist within the world or the world exists within our minds. This is an important question because, ultimately, what we are capable of depends on it.
The power of perception and creation: The book highlights the power of observation and perception in constructing reality. The narrator repeatedly emphasizes that "nothing is real until it is observed," suggesting that our active engagement with the world brings it into being. This concept aligns with philosophical ideas about the role of consciousness in shaping reality. By extension, the author might be suggesting that our thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations have a far more tangible impact on the world around us than we currently understand.
The importance of self-awareness: The book encourages readers to cultivate self-awareness and critical thinking in navigating a world saturated with information and competing narratives. The narrator's own journey of self-discovery and their eventual realization of their true nature serve as a reminder that our perceptions are not always accurate or reliable. The author might be urging readers to examine the forces that shape their beliefs and to question the narratives that they accept as truth.
The ethical implications of power and manipulation: The character of Stein and her experiments serve as a cautionary tale about the potential for knowledge and power to be misused. Stein's willingness to inflict pain and suffering in the pursuit of her goals highlights the danger of unchecked ambition and the ethical dilemmas inherent in scientific exploration.
Reality as a shared, experienced perception
One of the most talked about aspects of the book, is its unique interpretation of the essence of reality. Throughout the text, the concept of "reality" undergoes a significant transformation, moving from a realm that sits below that of the Gods but above that of the imagination, to something encapsulated by shared perception and experience. The realm of the imagination is often the inverse of reality. For example, in the imagination, consequences are fluid and impermanent, easily reimagined away. This lack of permanence makes it challenging to establish truth within the imagination. Conversely, reality is defined by its consequences. Actions matter, people matter, and the impact of choices endures. Another example is in the nature of the poison. While the poison creates pain then pleasure, addictive substances in reality cause pleasure and then pain. This method of describing the two realms as fundamentally opposed is highly suggestive, leading the reader down one completely incorrect path before revealing the true nature of reality at the end. The shift in the narrator’s understanding of reality is a critical part of the text, as it sets the context for the revelations at the end of the story.
· Initially, the narrator perceives the "real world" as something separate and superior, a higher plane of existence. This real world is characterized by consequences and tangible experiences that the narrator longs for.
The narrator's understanding of reality is first challenged by a dream where they witness the sexual assault of their friend, J. This dream feels different because it evokes genuine guilt and shock in the narrator, blurring the lines between the imaginary and real.
Through conversations with other imaginary beings, the narrator is introduced to the idea that the universe is essentially information, structured differently in the conscious and subconscious realms. This concept suggests that reality is not a separate entity but a specific arrangement of information.
Poppy offers a pivotal insight: reality is a product of shared perception. Poppy suggests that the narrator is the "soul" and the creator of the imaginary world, highlighting the subjective nature of their reality.
As the narrator undergoes experiments with Stein, they experience heightened sensations of pain and pleasure, which they initially believe to be evidence of accessing reality. They believe pain can provide a window into reality because it brings about a sense of consequence and permanence absent in the world of imagination. However, they gradually realize that these experiences, while potent, are still confined to their own perception and lack the shared element crucial to true reality.
Dr. Hardy challenges the narrator's belief that pain is a pathway to reality. He argues that focusing on the underlying science of transcendent interactions is more meaningful than simply inducing painful sensations.
Ultimately, the narrator recognizes that true reality lies in the ability to be perceived by others, to exist outside of the confines of a single mind. This realization marks a significant shift in their understanding, moving away from the pursuit of individual sensations and towards a recognition of shared experience as the defining characteristic of reality.
The narrator ultimately learns that the very act of sharing their story, of being perceived by readers, makes them and their story a part of reality. This act of sharing transcends the boundaries of imagination and anchors their existence in a shared consciousness
Character Representation
The various characters in the book embody distinct aspects of human thought and experience. Their interactions and conflicts illuminate the complexities of the relationship between reality, imagination, and self-discovery. The main characters and their associated representations are listed below.
The Narrator: Embodiment of the imagination
The unnamed narrator functions as the reader's guide through the realm of the imagination. They are the embodiment of the imagination of the reader.
The narrator's journey mirrors the process of self-discovery, particularly in relation to understanding the power and limitations of one's own mind.
The narrator's desire to become real reflects a universal human yearning for meaning and significance. This desire drives the central conflict in the narrative and highlights the tension between the impermanence of the imagination and the enduring consequences of reality.
J: The symbol of youth, innocence and vulnerability
J represents past desires, embodying qualities of youthful beauty and innocence. They are also a representation of vulnerability, subjected to the narrator's subconscious curiosities and ultimately suffering the consequences of the narrator's actions.
J’s fate and relationship with the narrator highlight the consequences that selfishness or ambition can have on loved ones and the enduring relationship between the past and the future.
C: The Allure of Ambition
C embodies ambition, representing the narrator's current desires and aspirations. Their captivating physical attributes and unwavering belief in the possibility of becoming real make them a persuasive force in the narrative.
C's relationship with Stein exposes the dangers of blind faith and the manipulation of ambition for personal gain. Their betrayal of the narrator highlights the potential for even the most alluring desires to lead to harmful consequences.
Philip: The Guardian
Philip is an "Arrow," a powerful figure within the imagination who can navigate its vastness and protect it from harm. He represents a protective and guiding force, embodying qualities of strength, ambition, and brotherly love.
Philip's sceptical stance towards Stein's experiments and his ultimate betrayal emphasise the imperfect nature of humanity and its vulnerability to ambition and self-interest.
Alice: The mother
Alice embodies motherly wisdom, protective instincts and experience, offering insights based on a deep understanding of the narrator and their past. She serves as a voice of caution and reason, questioning the narrator's pursuits and the importance of appreciating what they already have.
Alice's understanding of the universe and her emphasis on the limitations of perception offer a philosophical perspective on the nature of reality and the importance of embracing uncertainty.
Poppy: The creative spirit
Poppy represents creativity, nature and kindness. She is the embodiment of a nurturing and supportive presence within the imagination, encouraging the narrator's self-exploration and offering alternative perspectives on the search for meaning.
Poppy's survival, despite the challenges of the war, underscores the enduring power of creativity and its resilience in the face of destruction. Her unwavering optimism and belief in the transformative power of the imagination serve as a source of hope within the chaotic world of the narrative.
Stein: The embodiment of evil
Professor Stein, represents the dangers of unchecked ambition and the manipulation of belief for personal gain. She embodies selfishness, carelessness and greed, utilizing pain and suffering as tools to achieve her goals.
Stein's experiments exploit the narrator's desire to become real, preying on their vulnerability and manipulating their perception of reality for her own curiosity. Her actions highlight the ethical complexities of scientific exploration and the potential for knowledge to be used to harm others.
Dr. Hardy: The embodiment of rationality
Dr. Hardy initially presents himself as a morally superior and rational alternative to Stein, advocating for a more ethical and psychological approach to exploring the nature of reality. However, his true motivations are eventually revealed to be just as self-serving as Stein's, driven by a rational desire for personal significance and control.
Dr. Hardy's character exposes the rational and unemotional part of human nature. A hardness and self-sufficiency which makes him content to say and do whatever it takes to gain trust and ensure his own goals are achieved. His downfall highlights the short sightedness of selfishness, that if you fail to look after other people, you are also failing to look after yourself.
The characters in the source material function as more than just individuals; they are embodiments of different facets of the human mind and experience. Their interactions explore the complexities of reality, imagination, ambition, control, and the search for meaning. The source's exploration of these themes invites readers to confront their own beliefs about reality and to consider the power of their own imagination and their responsibility to use it wisely.
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