White Monkey Chronicles: The Complete Trilogy

by Isabella Ides

A rogue order of nuns, tucked away in Humboldt County, are raising an abandoned deity on the down-low. Persecuted by the patriarchs of the Great Church and decimated by a plague of prayer eaters, The Sisterhood is on the verge of extinction when a white monkey appears in a snowstorm and makes a special delivery. It is a holy night like no other--complete with a wandering star, three disreputable magi, and a babe mangered in a cardboard box.
Scandal alert! The endangered infant is the illegitimate offspring of two misbehaving Gods--one parent very married to her divine Hindu husband, the other a famous bachelor Jew with a tendency to covet his neighbor's consort. The mere existence of the misbegotten is a provocation. In celestial realms, the reputations of celebrity A-list Gods are at stake. On Earth, the undocumented deity is a threat to the birdmen of the Great Church--the Cardinals, Hooded Crow, Cloistered Ravens, and gay Budgies, plus a malevolent Cassowary and an ancient Hierophant: His Holiness, the Divine Mallard of All Mysteries. Luckily, a white monkey with impeccable spiritual credentials has broken out of bounds and jumped into this world! Expect literary enchantment: ...a hotbed of heresies ...a feminist insurgency ...a divine comedy. Expect his dark materials to be given a radical do-over when the Godma applies her light.

***** "WHITE MONKEY CHRONICLES shows author Isabella Ides to be a self-assured, equal-opportunity paradigm demolition expert. Storming entrenched temples of orthodoxy, shattering icons, upending conventions--the eponymous monkey blinks his eyes and worlds collide. But it's in the reconstruction that the story wins our hearts. When bohemian Sister Merry Berry fires up her pink 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible, top down, in preparation for heavenly ascent, readers will aspire to hitch a ride, relishing the mind-expanding experience the transit has in store."
Alexandra Bonifield, CriticalRant.com,
NEA/Annenberg and O'Neill Critics Institute Fellow

Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction

654 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

The Godma's Daughters Isabella's newest release, recently received a IndieReader Approval: 5 Highest Ranking, "...profound novel...lyrical masterpiece...page turner..." C.S Holmes for Indie Reader.

White Monkey Chronicles is the winner of the 2019 Jemma Prize for Speculative Fiction and International Book Award Finalist for Visionary Fiction, IndieReader says this breakout novel is
"sure to be a classic."

While watching a production of her award-winning play, The Early Education of Conrad Eppler, the playwright on the verge asked herself a mind-altering question: “What if I could bring the monkey to life?” The answer dropped in from a passing muse: “Write a novel.”

Immediately, one of Isabella’s characters, Sister Mary Subordinary, stepped out of the play and stood watching a snowfall from a convent window. Then a certain white monkey scampered through the scene. Seven years later, the three-part novel was complete.

Reviews

[Joy Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so funny! I found myself reading passages out loud to my family and wishing I could read the entire book to them. The author tackles the big questions, like...what is god? Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? What happens after we die? She somehow has found a way to pull the essential bits from the many belief systems that have come and gone and shine a fresh light on the essential mysteries of life, with humor. She throws all our assumptions out the window and spins a tall tale that keeps us wondering how it will end. Looking forward to reading it again and again, each time unlocking another layer of meaning. "A plan within a plan, a plan without a plan. The Godma moves in mysterious ways, her wonders to behold!"

[Elota Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a great read that upends the notion that literary fiction can’t be both thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny.

Fans of Neil Stephenson’s Anathem, Octavia Butler’s The Sower, Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, and Tom Robbin’s Jitterbug Perfume are in for a treat, but Ides’ sheer range of invention took my breath away. Hers is a mind you want to get to know. Take the plunge! Read the book! You will be astounded by the ride, the laughs, the discoveries, the wit and wisdom of the world she has invented.

The plot follows the adventures of a seven-year-old, biracial, bicultural deity and his mentors: three iconoclastic nuns and a mysterious white monkey. (Although it’s not always clear who is mentoring whom. Or who are the dreamers and who are the dreamed.) In this novel, the imaginary enjoys a high status AND a high purpose. As the Godma says, “Every imagination I inhabit enlightens me.”

The story opens with an unprecedented snowfall in Humboldt County, California. Later, a new drug (Humboldt Snow #7) will show up in the halls of the Great Church. In this parallel Humboldt reality, prayer eaters are abroad, a Cardinal Cassowary lurks, and a Divine Mallard of All Mysteries shepherds a church full of dedicated birdmen.

In fact, the final incandescent moments of White Monkey Chronicles might be my all-time favorite farewell. Relax – I’m not putting in any spoilers. But I will say that the entire narrative enterprise is energized by a contagious delight in re-creation. Author Ides revises creation myths, cross pollinates wildly diverse cultural motifs, and spices it all up with tasty allusions to everything from the Bible to Jane Austen to the Bhagavad-Gita. Her Mother Mary Extraordinary is the ultimate reincarnate, so much so that I wanted to join right in to the joyous mystery of this Sisterhood’s festival of reinvention.

[Don Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I was already Isabella Ides poetry and plays, so I was excited to read that she had written a novel. I was not disappointed. It is whimsical and lyrical and a joy to read.

[Allan Ides · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a literary achievement of the highest order, beautifully written and exquisitely plotted. It’s filled with wordplay, humor, and a playful feminist sensibility that upends the established myths of our mythical world. The cast of characters bubbles with intrigue, satire, and originality. The plot thins and thickens around a series of conflicts between the old and the new, the good and the evil, and the pleasantly undefinable. Among other things, we get a new take on Lucifer, a monkey god with the power to morph into an invincible warrior, and a bevy of bird-like cardinals who can’t see beyond their own selfish beaks. The tale takes us from an orphanage in Humboldt County, run by a truly extraordinary order of nuns, to a celestial homeland where gods and angels play and replay the creation myth in a seemingly endless quest to get it right. It ends with a beginning but the beginning is certainly not the end. Wonderful debut novel. Must read.

[Amanda Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you could possibly want in a book.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I laughed out loud through most of the book, while throughly enjoying these complex characters who stole my heart in many ways. I read this book twice because I felt once wasn’t enough and Im so glad I did. It was an amazing book and the second time reading it was even better.

[Alexandra Bonifield · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://sjamaanka.wordpress.com/2018/...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The unbridled joy and optimism of the White Monkey Chronicles is a powerful antidote to the deluge of dystopian novels and movies that is darkening the current landscape. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking this novel is all frosting and no cake. The author clearly has a master’s grip on her varied subjects and adeptly makes the reader feel welcome to share her offerings. One could easily stay put and just be warmed by her absorbing tale of family and love at the root of the White Monkey Chronicles. Or go further and revel in the unsurpassed word play on every page. Isabella carefully chooses each and every syllable so you hear a joyful melody playing along as you read the paragraphs. Or perhaps you want to delve into the paradoxical philosophical offerings she places in your path. It is a veritable easter egg hunt of allusions to philosophers, biblical texts, and pop culture. A timeless story of an orphan’s wish for a family, a lyrical ode to love, or a fascinating study of religion and philosophy - you choose your mystery to read. But on each and every level, it’s magically delicious.

[Marilyn Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish we were given the option of fractional stars, as I would have placed this at least at 4.75 stars. I love the premise and the wonderful use of language (especially the word-play! Well Done!!). I had a little difficulty following the incarnations, though they all came together in the end. My only problem is that, for me, it went on for way too long. I was more than ready for it to be over, but still had fifty pages to go - struggled to get through them, though they were an essential part of explaining the whole premise. I should have just skipped all of the frolicking adventures on the Sister Moon - they didn't really add anything important to the storyline, IMO.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a romp among the heavens, literally. A comic, irreverent exploration of gods, established religion, and creation myths, this book offers something for everyone (except those who take their version of religion too seriously). The author's witty humor made the more serious look at what ails religion in our time easy to understand and more entertaining than any theology tomes I've read.
If you enjoy stories that offers new insights on religious myths, and a crazy mix & match of celestial beings, this book will feed your soul!

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book upends nearly every cultural myth in religious history, stirs in some science fiction, some whimsy, some humor, and recuperates feminine voices for the divine--all while telling the tale of some memorable characters. The language is as baroque and imaginative as the plot and characters (occasionally off-puttingly so) but all in all, it's a wild ride that's hard to put down and hard to forget.

[Ken Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Ride

I’m not certain I would categorize this story as sci-fi. But then I suspect that I am not cool enough to categorize it at all! A bizarre and fun read to be sure. I enjoyed the victories and idea of redoes for the Marys. Sweet ending. I was tempted to look at Humboldt County maps for castles and widow makers. A definite “more” rating.

[Marlene Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feast of language

Entertaining, a tour de force about religion and humanity. You'll enjoy every word literally. So many characters, from a boy and his monkey to a unique Lucifer, and so many adventures.

[Gloria O. Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining book to read. Really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

[Laurie S. DuBose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing

Loved the book. Beautiful, imaginative and so interesting. I thought I had a reasonably good vocabulary but now consider myself a first grader in comparison!

[Elizabeth Hykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an odd take of faith that assumes there is more than one way to manage issues of faith. It is playful, imaginative, full of lovely and interesting characters and quite unpredictable.

[kendorfman · Rating 5 out of 5]

White monkey chronicles

This is one great read! From the first bit of blue to the last hint of herb scented air, time well spent with folks worth knowing. Jah love...

[Leigh Ann]

DNF page 164. I really tried to get into it but after a month-long struggle I've given up.

[Timothy Bove · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unable to finish.

[S. Lodro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down once I started. A delight.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird, intricate, funny, compelling. Only criticism is that it is poorly copy edited.

[Laurie McNeill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, whimsical, terrifying, soul-rearranging all at once. The adventures of incarnating and loving here on earth. If I ever get to meet Isabella Ides I will hug her if she will let me. I loved her madcap characters, their zest for life, their frailty and their courage.

If you were raised in The Church (I was) this book will carry your unconscious inherited doctrines down to the river and give them a cheerful bashing on the rocks. Hooray!

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book and I am so appreciative for the free copy via Goodreads Giveaway but I could not finish it. The way it’s written is lyrical and whimsical and brilliant but the story just didn’t grab me.