Catch as Catch

Peter Baltensperger is the editor and publisher of Moonstone Press and
the author of Arcana.

Robert Budde’s first book is an interesting compilation of prose
narratives, stream-of-consciousness, diary entries, descriptions of
photographs, poems, sound poetry, lists, and quotations re-creating the
fictional story of an orphan whose parents were killed in a fire.
Surrealistic, innovative, and full of linguistic, psychological, and
philosophical surprises, Catch as Catch reads like an intricate puzzle,
each segment adding new information and insights into the life of the
orphaned young man as he tries to come to terms with himself and his
existence. The use of different typefaces and page layouts adds to the
puzzle effect in contributing to the constantly changing and oscillating
mood, point of view, and narrative intent. The reader follows the
progression and pieces together section by section the story of Jay,
alone on a prairie farm after the catastrophe.

As the main character gropes his way through the remains of his
existence and himself tries to piece together the meaning of life, he
encounters a variety of partly benevolent, partly malevolent characters
who in various ways assist him in his quest. The devil, most notably, as
well as Apology, Catch, and Chorus all make their individual and unique
contributions as the story takes shape and the puzzle becomes more and
more clear. A promising first book, intriguing to read and to explore.