Torture The Artist

by Joey Goebel

Overview

Vincent Spinetti is the archetypal tortured artist — a sensitive young writer who suffers from alienation, parental neglect, poverty, depression, alcoholism, illness, nervous breakdowns, and unrequited love. However, he is unaware that these torments are due to the secret manipulations of 'New Renaissance', an experimental organization that hopes to improve mindless main-stream culture by raising writers who emphasize artistic quality over commerce. New Renaissance hires ex-musician Harlan Eiffler to manipulate its most promising prodigy, Vincent. Wickedly antisocial and disgusted by what passes for entertainment in the twenty-first century, Harlan ensures that Vincent remains a true artist. He poses as Vincent’s manager and nurtures his career, all the while continuing to torture him. Smart, funny, and poignant, 'Torture the Artist' examines the timeless idea that true art can only result from suffering.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596929418
Publisher:	MacAdam/Cage Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	05/22/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	295 KB

About the Author

About the Author: Joey Goebel was born and raised in Henderson, Kentucky. He has a B.A. in English from Brescia University. He is the author of 'The Anomalies' and former lead singer of the 'Mullets' and 'Novembrists'.

Editorial Reviews

"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you will never be happy." So opens this surprisingly funny, anything-but-predictable story about a hapless, perpetually miserable young artist named Vincent and Harlan Eiffler, the manager being paid to make sure he stays that way. Foster Lipowitz, the ailing CEO of the world's biggest media conglomerate, feels guilty about his company's hand in churning out dreck disguised as entertainment. Dying from a slow cancer, Lipowitz tries to redeem himself by inventing an experimental company called New Renaissance. Children with artistic potential will be found and fostered, each by his or her own manager, until they are ready to produce works of timeless artistic merit for a massive audience. There's one catch: since all true works of art are the product of intense suffering by the artist, New Renaissance artists must have their lives manipulated (read: ruined) by their managers. Vincent's family home burns down, his dog dies, girlfriends love him and leave him-the list goes on. This novel, a pointed commentary on the media machine that continuously grinds away at our culture, is by turns hilarious, thought-provoking, chilling, and sad. Goebel (The Anomolies) is a quirky, fresh, and relevant voice for our time. Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Jyna Scheeren, Troy P.L., NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

From second-novelist Goebel (The Anomalies, 2003) a dull-edged satire about an entertainment conglomerate that tries to put the pain back into artists' lives. Foster Lipowitz, CEO of IUI/Globe-Terner-in charge of the IUI Internet company Terner Bros. Movies, Terner Bros. Music and subsidiaries, plus Globe Books-is the founder of the New Renaissance Academy of Kokomo, Indiana. His goal: "We will attempt to seek out and develop the polar opposite of the hedonistic millionaires who have been entertaining us and shaping our asinine culture. We will encourage our artist not through rewards such as money, fame, and sex, but through deprivation." One of the first of the 457 prodigies enrolled is Vincent, born when his mother was 15 (father unknown) and named after a song by Tha Dawg Pak, which was a sampling from a NOFX song, which was a cover of the Don MacLean song about Vincent van Gogh. By seven, Vincent is one of the few dozen chosen for the "tortured artist" track. As his "manager," he draws Harlan Eiffler, a former music critic and tedious philosophizer ("Death is huge to me"). Vincent's sorrows multiply as Harlan poisons his dog, his mother disappears after giving birth to a brain-dead limbless baby (the result of her drug use), and Harlan burns down his house. At 16, Vincent falls in love and writes a song that's recorded by the reigning Latin diva. Harlan pays his newfound love to leave the country, and Vincent turns out enough songs in a month for an album, including one that becomes number one in the country. Moving to California, he writes the screenplay for a successful remake of The Wizard of Oz. On his way to stardom, the suffering piles up: tuberculosis, suicide, alcoholism,syphilis. Then, at a decadent party, he meets his mother, who spills the beans about New Renaissance and Harlan. Not bad as a concept, but this Hollywood roman a clef never comes to life.

Kirkus Reviews