Published: Sep. 10, 2012
Words: 61,382 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781301146482

Short description

An abandoned house is set aflame. Roscoe stumbles upon evidence that reveals the arsonist’s next target. Evoking his childhood icon, the mighty Rip Orion, Roscoe decides to become the real life version of the superhero and apprehend the pyromaniac. However, the fantasy rapidly unravels when events don’t unfold in classic comic book fashion. To save the world, Roscoe must play the role of villain.

Extended description

Cemetery groundskeeper Roscoe Solomon is nobody's idea of a savior. Since derailing his old high school classmate Damon's football career amid a freak accident, his summers have consisted of weed whacking around tombstones and shooing teenage loiters off mausoleum steps.
After an abandoned house is set aflame, Roscoe stumbles upon evidence that reveals the arsonist's next target. Evoking his childhood comic book icon, the mighty Rip Orion, he recognizes the opportunity to become the real life version of the superhero. Aided by his god-fearing and embattled sidekick Mitch, Roscoe vows to apprehend the feared pyromaniac. A budding relationship with the eccentric atheist Marcy, who bears a striking resemblance to Rip Orion's busty love interest, only reinforces his fantastic ambitions. Roscoe's fantasy rapidly unravels when he collides with his longtime nemesis Damon, who harbors his own illusions of recapturing his glory days, and realizes Marcy's cryptic alter ego. Moreover, Mitch's m.. (Read more) Cemetery groundskeeper Roscoe Solomon is nobody's idea of a savior. Since derailing his old high school classmate Damon's football career amid a freak accident, his summers have consisted of weed whacking around tombstones and shooing teenage loiters off mausoleum steps.
After an abandoned house is set aflame, Roscoe stumbles upon evidence that reveals the arsonist's next target. Evoking his childhood comic book icon, the mighty Rip Orion, he recognizes the opportunity to become the real life version of the superhero. Aided by his god-fearing and embattled sidekick Mitch, Roscoe vows to apprehend the feared pyromaniac. A budding relationship with the eccentric atheist Marcy, who bears a striking resemblance to Rip Orion's busty love interest, only reinforces his fantastic ambitions. Roscoe's fantasy rapidly unravels when he collides with his longtime nemesis Damon, who harbors his own illusions of recapturing his glory days, and realizes Marcy's cryptic alter ego. Moreover, Mitch's mounting woes propel him toward a showdown with an unrivaled power. Meanwhile, the arsonist runs amok. All seems doomed until Roscoe understands that to become like Rip Orion and save the world, he must play the role of villain.
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Tags

antihero, superhero satire, alter ego, superhero parody, origin story, symbolic literature, atheist fiction, atheism fiction

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Reviews

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Review by: Patchy Malatchy on Oct. 24, 2012 :
I always say, “You can tell how good a book is by how quick you read it,” and I read this book in a matter of just a few days. The intriguing plot in which Bower created kept me fully engaged from start to finish while the chapters continually flowed with a constant purpose, making each character and dialogue so vital to the overall script. Bower described events in such detail that the reader can effortlessly visual the images in their head as the events unfold. It was impossible to put the novel down without constantly pondering what is going to happen next.
Although Save Me, Rip Orion has a main character, the novel tells the story of multiple characters who are all battling their own personal demons and trying to create their own fantasies. Bower does an excellent job at conveying each one of their stories, while having them all come together to create one epic tale. One of the main reasons I enjoyed this book is because there is such a fine line between hero and villain, leaving it open for each reader’s own interpretation. As the events unfold, the reader may end up questioning who and what they really should have been rooting for all along.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Robinson Mason on Oct. 22, 2012 :
Colorful characters, unexpected twists and turns, and vivid descriptions fill a book in which things are not always what they might seem at first. Join the motley cast of Save Me, Rip Orion and you are sure to be entertained. The author has a knack for descriptions that alone would have been good enough to keep me turning the pages. I could feel the rubber grip on a golf club or a cold beer resting on a belly. Looking forward to seeing more from Mr. Bower in the future.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Christine Cummiskey on Oct. 20, 2012 :
I normally do not read this type of novel but I'm glad that I did. It kept my interest from the beginning until the end and what happened at the end was a suprise to me.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Ev on Oct. 13, 2012 :
I fully enjoyed this story. The book reads smoothly with a consistent pace and enough twists that kept me up to finish it. Matt's characters are well developed, and relationships come to life with little effort. I love the various branches of the story, and how they are all bound together within the 'superhero' theme. Matt does a great job of creating a solid plot that is at once resolved and open-ended as each character works through their individual issues. I look forward to re-reading it, and to seeing Matt's next creation. :)
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Crazypyper on Oct. 08, 2012 :
This book was one of my "bedtime" reads. Each evening before going to sleep I would read a few pages to help me simmer down. Bad idea. This monograph practically turned the pages by itself; I was up late on more than a few occasions. I enjoyed Bower's ability to set a scene with regard to action and attention to detail. The characters are right out of real life and one cannot help but envision them as actual people we have known. The themes are gritty and forced me to come face to face with a few of my own fantasties. Bower's mastery of description and witty humor add weight to his work; reading it is like a spa for the intellect. It doesn't read like a first novel but rather a story that had to be told.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

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