The Tyranny of Desire

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Pub Date 25 Jan 2023 | Archive Date 23 Feb 2023
The Book Whisperer | Flying Bed Books

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Description

PUCHY MUSHKIN is a big dreamer and an even bigger loser whose spectacular failure as a human being is exceeded only by the enormity of his penis.

In the depths of his despair, Puchy has an epiphany: could the endless series of screw-ups that define his existence be the result of his overwhelming desire for the success he believes is his birthright?

To test his theory and, hopefully, change his fate, Puchy vows to banish all dreams, goals, aims, ambitions, and obsessions from his life except one: to assassinate desire itself and hang it by its feet like Mussolini.

What follows is the hilariously dark, raunchy, and irreverent tale of one man's twisted war with himself-an anti-story about an anti-hero whose only motivation is to have no motivation at all.

This title is perfect for those who loved Portnoy's Complaint, A Confederacy of Dunces, or Breakfast of Champions,


Early Reviewers are both impressed and appalled by The Tyranny of Desire.

"A ribald and incisive provocation... riotously bawdy..." — Booklife

"...Shallman seems eager to challenge readers’ senses of decency whenever possible... A lively but profane comic tale." — Kirkus Reviews

"A Comedic Masterpiece...5 out of 5 stars" — Readers' Favorite

PUCHY MUSHKIN is a big dreamer and an even bigger loser whose spectacular failure as a human being is exceeded only by the enormity of his penis.

In the depths of his despair, Puchy has an epiphany:...


A Note From the Publisher

WARNING! This book is the most messed up thing you will ever read.

If you have triggers, do not download this book..

If you don't have triggers, you are going to acquire some.

You will be offended by this book. This book is patently offensive. If you are sensitive to offense, you better find another book to read.

YOU HAVE BEEN TRIGGER-WARNED.

WARNING! This book is the most messed up thing you will ever read.

If you have triggers, do not download this book..

If you don't have triggers, you are going to acquire some.

You...


Advance Praise

"Puchy Mushkin, the hero of this ribald and incisive provocation from author/musician Shallman,has a problem: his overwhelming desire can only be matched by his enormous penis...The story may initially sound like the world's biggest penis joke, but readers who relish irreverent literary play will be rewarded with insight and challenges to convention.. the comedy is proudly over-the top, edging into the realm of bawdy vaudeville..." –BookLife Reviews

"Shallman seems eager to challenge readers’ senses of decency whenever possible... A lively but profane comic tale." – Kirkus Reviews

"Morty Shallman's novel is delightfully wicked, outrageous, and simply a blast to read... If you're looking for a good laugh, don't miss out on this one." –Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

"The Tyranny Of Desire is not your typical novel... a comedic masterpiece!" – Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

"A fast-paced phantasmagoric satire of a debauched contemporary LA, brilliantly written and very funny." — Robert Grossmith, author of The Empire of Lights

"Puchy Mushkin, the hero of this ribald and incisive provocation from author/musician Shallman,has a problem: his overwhelming desire can only be matched by his enormous penis...The story may...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9798986354804
PRICE $19.95 (USD)
PAGES 184

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 78 members


Featured Reviews

I'm not sure if I loved or hated this book, but I will say that it held my interest until the end! If you're in the mood for something different, I'd recommend it.

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The note to the readers came with a trigger warning, which intrigued me. Turns out the warning is well deserved. I felt a range of emotions reading this story that I did not think were possible from one book: shock, excitement, sympathy, horror, and laugh out loud moments. It was a fun read.

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I am the perfect audience for Morty Shallman's The Tyranny of Desire. Why? Because I am that rare woman who likes to take it all in, every last lasciviously lubricious undoubtably dubious detail In fact I was delighted to devour this grandiloquent chronicle. Was I amazed, appalled, astonished? Indeed. Was I aroused, amused, absorbed? Absolutely!

The Tyranny of Desire is the epic tale of one man's attempt to save himself from disappointment by denouncing all desires. This book comes with a Great Big Warning at the start: if you are easily triggered or offended this is not the book for you. Although armed with an amazing talent to amuse, Morty Shallman is not kidding when he delivers this Warning. This book touches on many taboo topics all revolving around the star of the show which is the over abundant endowment of our hero Puchy Mushkin.

The Tyranny of Desire is certainly a one of a kind work of art. Although some of the content did bring about moments of deja vu from my virginal DM in-box of (any given) social media account. A riotous, rip-roaring ride of preposterous posturing of dirty, dark and dastardly deeds. In all seriousness you can not take this story serious. I did have wonderful moments of wondering. I also found a few fallen moments of fury and sorrow (always and empath). I would recommend this book to any brave reader who has flexible beliefs and is willing to be stretched and left in stitches.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher Flying Bed Books for the ARC of this book. And to the author, Morty Shallman, I hope my review paid proper homage to your witty work of art. I am leaving this review here voluntarily.

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This novel reads like the love child of Holden Caulfield and Humbert Humbert grew up to be a sexual deviant, and then spiraled into a full blown existential crisis as the protagonist of the raunchiest Chuck Palahniuk story you could ever imagine.

It was a fast, wildly entertaining ride with a bizarre but likable cast of characters and a main character you’ll hate to love. Bonus points for all the jokes at Trump’s expense. I found myself highlighting so many passages, knowing full well the internet overlords aren’t going to let me quote them here. You’ll have to read it for yourself. If you’re easily offended, don’t read this. I’ve seen a few reviews criticizing this book for being juvenile and pornographic but like…what did you expect? It was exactly what it was held out to be. Don’t read Penthouse if you’re looking for Good Housekeeping. Many thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

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Well, I am not really sure what I just read. Whatever it was, it kept me wanting to read even though I was continuously saying to myself "what?" If you want something to kind of flip you out of your normal reading, this might be the one for you.

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I would not have chosen the Tyranny of Desire by Morty Shellman on my own accord. What a loss that would of been if not for the ARC from Net Galley who gave it to me for an honest review.
Before the story begins there is a satirical warning about the content. Though it is satirical please be warned the content is raunchy. With that being said I became captivated with the main character Pauchy after the first two pages of shocking content. I enjoyed the flow of the book, the easy way the stories of all the characters combined and connected. Mr. Shellman's ability to write and use words creatively was amazing. Pauchy the main character is trying to figure out life like all of us. However, he gets into lots of messed up scenarios while trying to just get through the day. This is one of my favorite paragraphs, " The universal constant in all out lives is . . . wait for it . . . life itself! We don't choose it. We can't control it. We can't change it. We can only "ride it" like surfers in a tsunami or skiers on an avalanche, careening faster and faster to our inevitable crushing demise ob the shores or crevices of reality." Puchy learns to ride the tsunami of life whether the wave is at its peak or breaking. I was happy to surf the swell and ride it out.

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I fancied reading something different and this definitely filled that bill. A plot which is at times funny, erotic and unpredictable, it is mostly entertaining . There are warnings about the content before you begin on the book proper.... I can see why ! Not for the faint hearted
Now that I have finished, I am still wondering what it was all about !
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

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Courtesy of Book Whisperer and Netgalley, I received the ARC of The Tyranny of Desire by Morty Shallman. There was some LOL humor amidst this raunchy and preposterous satire, some delightful Yiddish phrases, puns and political insight. Puchy:s search for meaning in his life involves his questionable choices, dealing with his parents, relatives, "friends", coworkers, physicians, and everyone else acquainted with him! A very contemporary escapade!

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This book was bad. It’s pornography but that’s not the issue…it is poorly written. I think a 14 year old boy with big dick fantasy would have done just as well. Yikes…I hope this was self-published and not paid for by an actual publishing house! I gave it NO STARS but the app wouldn’t allow review submission without any stars. Curiously optimistic.

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The Tyranny of Desire
by Morty Shallman
Well, it was not good. It was trying to be humorous but crossed too many lines. I have no idea what age this writer is, but it was just wrong in too many ways.

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