AMORALMAN: A True Story and Other Lies by Derek DelGaudio

AMORALMAN: A True Story and Other Lies by Derek DelGaudio is a collection of short stories that show off the author’s unparalleled talent as a master storyteller. From the way he delicately crafts a scene to the moments of genuine humanity he is able to capture, Derek DelGaudio is a writer whose brilliance shines in every story.

The collection focuses on the main character, Amoralman, a loner that the reader is taken on an existential journey with. From his introduction in the first story, “A Red-Faced Man,” Amoralman is a mysterious figure whose motives are left ambiguous and his ultimate intent never revealed. As we travel with him through the stories of his life, we come to understand a bit more about him but never receive a definite answer as to who he really is.

Throughout the collection, Derek DelGaudio displays his signature humor, wit, and acerbic style. “Fakes and their Mothers,” for example, tells a hilarious, albeit crass, story of Amoralman’s attempts at entering a career in the porn industry and the endless stream of failed opportunities he experiences. In the following story, “A Philosophy of the Apogee,” Amoralman, a man who believes all aspects of life are pointless, forces himself on a metaphysical journey that leads him to peculiar revelations of religion and spirituality. We see him hilariously, and somewhat tragically, struggle to find himself and make sense of what he believes is meaningless.

DelGaudio’s stories demonstrate his skill in both humor and more serious emotions. In “The True Story of Amoralman” he combines them into a heartfelt narrative about a man’s journey to find himself and reach his apogee despite his flawed circumstances.

The collection’s title and theme, “Amoralman: A True Story and Other Lies,” implies Amoralman’s existential struggle with the idea that a person’s reality is often determined by the stories told about them. While often raw and confronting, the collection serves as a dissecting of a life’s journey, both hilarious and touching in its exploration of truth and meaning in life.

Derek DelGaudio’s “Amoralman: A True Story and Other Lies” is a vivid example of his sharp, comical, thoughtful style. The collection provides a window into the life and lessons of Amoralman, a man's existential journey to determine his own path and reach his own apogee. DelGaudio's stories are witty, poignant, and human, providing an amusing yet reflective reading experience.