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Transcending the Trauma
The Rage Room follows a man barely holding on to his control after enduring a lifetime of abuse who struggles to hold onto the remaining threads of reality. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always been interested in human psychology and concepts of good and evil, and the complexity of the human condition in regard to these. I enjoyed books like “Roadwork” by Stephen King, and films like “Falling Down” starring Michael Douglas. Basically, stories based around otherwise ordinary characters who have been beaten down by life so much, that one day, they just snap. I wanted to create my own version of these classics, also inspired by some of my own life experiences.
Matt is a complex character that is struggling to hold onto what little sanity and control he has left. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted to create a character that couldn’t easily be described as good or bad. A complex character that didn’t really fit into any boxes or tropes. I wanted to create the type of character that would spark debate amongst readers as to whether he is good or evil. I wanted Matt to be deeply flawed and, in some ways, immoral, but also relatable and human with good characteristics and a heart underneath all the rage, hate and enmity. I also wanted the character to experience growth throughout the story, and not end the story as the same person he was at the start.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to explore themes of good and evil, obsession, violence, abuse, love, family, and mental health. Most importantly, I wanted to explore resilience and strength. Overcoming adversity and moving forward no matter what. Transcending the trauma and recreating oneself.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will that be published?
My next project is my first non-fiction book, titled “The 10 types of Bouncers”. It is an entertaining psychological study on bouncers (club security) based on my seven years of experience in the industry. I am hoping to have it published by the end of July.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
★★★★★ “Messes with your head right until the explosive climax you won’t see coming!”
★★★★★ “A hell of a story! Almanza’s best!”
From the author of the explosive, debut anthology ‘Rusted Hearts’ comes the high octane, mind bending, psychological thriller novel, The Rage Room.
Housing officer Matt Bolton is a man with skeletons in his closet…
On the last few days of a driving ban for drink-driving, during a routine commute home from work, a mysterious, intimidating stranger boards the number 23 bus.
The man looks at Matt and calls his name.
The encounter with this frightening individual, leads to a series of explosive events which bring back long-forgotten secrets from Matt’s past.
Matt quickly spirals out of control, as he desperately fights to hold on to his relationships, his work, his sanity…and even his life…
Matt sat three rows back from the strange man, on the opposite aisle. The priority seats at the front faced the windows on each side, so Matt had a full diagonal side-view of the man, facing away from him. All the man would have to do was move his head forty-five degrees to his left, and he would be facing Matt.
Which was exactly what he did.
The man turned his head, looked Matt directly in the eyes, and confirmed Matt’s suspicions that there was something seriously wrong with this man.
It wasn’t the random, casual turn of the head of a passenger on a busy bus, happening to meet another random passenger’s gaze. No. This was intentional. The man knew exactly who he was looking for. He whipped his head round and his eyes homed into Matt’s like a laser-guided missile, almost as if Matt had called his name.
The Rage Room
In The Rage Room, S.I. Almanza introduces us to Matt, a character whose life is akin to a ticking time bomb, shaped by a deeply traumatic past. His narrative is one of resilience, struggling to reconcile his troubled upbringing with his present. He was born to a mother whose gentle soul was enslaved by addictive substances, an unfortunate situation that eventually claimed her life. His father, a figure of arrogance and abuse, was the source of further torment. The narrative is further punctuated by the mental health struggles of his younger sister, Jodie, whose battle with severe depression ultimately leads to her tragic suicide. This series of catastrophic events leaves Matt in solitude, grappling with the specters of his past.
Matt’s professional life as a housing officer shines as a beacon of success, a stark contrast to his haunted personal life. However, his encounter with an enigmatic elderly man on a routine train ride shatters this facade, revealing the turbulent undercurrents of his life. This pivotal event triggers a series of revelations about Matt’s latent violent tendencies and the sinister secrets that lie beneath his surface.
In my assessment, Matt’s downfall can be attributed to the unbearable loneliness and his reluctance to seek assistance. Despite being plagued by auditory hallucinations and nightmarish dreams, he found himself unable to confide in anyone. His emotional wounds remained untreated, further fueled by his isolation. Even though his colleague Hayley offered him affection, his pride and past experiences kept her at a distance.
While the narrative is primarily focused on Matt, it would have enhanced the depth of the story to have a richer exploration of the secondary characters. Initially, the suspense of the story was captivating, yet over time, the direction of the narrative became somewhat ambiguous. Matt’s character, however, maintains an air of mystery throughout, with each page unveiling a new facet of his complex personality.
The Rage Room is commendable for its innovative character development and plot structure. Almanza’s talent for crafting vivid descriptions brings the narrative to life, engaging readers in the unfolding drama. For avid readers and fans of psychological thrillers, The Rage Room is an engaging read, combining creative writing with suspenseful storytelling. Almanza’s work will keep you at the edge of your seat, eager to unravel the enigma that is Matt.
Pages: 155 | ASIN : B0C3BMNGV1
LITERARY TITAN 