The Rules of the World

Billy Bearfield always wanted to create a meaningful legacy as a writer. Unfortunately, instead of leaving his mark on society, he has stumbled into a job as a bank collections manager. He spends his days harassing people for money, tolerating his obnoxious boss, and trolling online chat rooms. Billy's life is pretty much meaningless until a bizarre encounter on a commuter train launches a fantastical search to define the core of humanity: the rules of the world.

A quirky writer by the name of Gooseman Pobatz reveals the first rule: "No lies, ever!" Billy's meeting with Pobatz sends him wheeling through time. As he travels through Alturo Sentoris in search of the mysterious Noman, keeper of the rules, the people and creatures get weirder and more mystical. Billy chats with a cyclops, is tempted by a siren, and has a poignant meeting with his maker. All the while, the rules of the world become clearer, and life itself takes on new meaning.

Howard McDaniel's intricate and powerful debut The Rules of the World is a darkly humorous Dantean journey of postmodern symbolism, imaginative parables, and universal lessons.