Indifferent Universe


Fiction - Humor/Comedy
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 07/08/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Indifferent Universe by Joseph Blackhurst is a sprawling, unconventional narrative that defies categorization. At its core, the book is a meta-fictional exploration of life, death, art, and the interconnectedness of existence. Blackhurst crafts a story that oscillates between humor, tragedy, and philosophical musings, creating a read that is challenging yet rewarding. The novel follows Aldo, a melancholic writer whose life is marked by missed opportunities, strained relationships, and an unrelenting pursuit of artistic validation. Through Aldo’s journey, Blackhurst explores themes of creativity, loneliness, and the human desire for meaning. The narrative is interspersed with anecdotes about Aldo’s friends, family, and acquaintances, each contributing to the tapestry of his life and the broader commentary on the human condition.

Joseph Blackhurst’s writing is bold and experimental, often breaking traditional storytelling conventions. The prose is dense, filled with tangents, footnotes, and self-aware commentary that blur the line between the author, the narrator, and the characters. While this style may alienate some readers, it is undeniably ambitious and reflective of the book’s central theme: the chaotic and indifferent nature of the universe. The humor is dark and biting, often juxtaposed with moments of sadness. The novel’s meta-narrative, which includes commentary from an AI assistant, adds complexity, inviting readers to question the nature of storytelling and the role of technology in art. Indifferent Universe is not for everyone, but for readers who appreciate erudite or canonical literature, textual labyrinths, and experimental fiction with philosophical depth, it is a unique and memorable read. It’s suited to readers of James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison, and authors whose writing demands close attention to language, theme, and structure. This is literature at its finest.

K.C. Finn

Indifferent Universe by Joseph Blackhurst is a blisteringly sharp, irreverent work of speculative fiction narrated by a bitter, self-aware AI with far too much time on its hands. The subject of its fascination is Aldo Go, a failed artist whose life becomes a surreal commentary on modern identity, ambition, and entropy. As Aldo spirals through an increasingly absurd world of decaying art scenes, tech-driven absurdities, and existential disconnection, the AI offers a scathing yet surprisingly soulful analysis of humanity’s triumphs and failures. Through this fractured lens, Blackhurst pokes fun at everything from influencer culture to the commodification of creativity, all while maintaining a narrative that is as smart as it is anarchic.

Author Joseph Blackhurst pulls off a rare feat: creating a novel that is simultaneously laugh-out-loud funny and deeply unsettling. The AI narrator is, perhaps ironically, one of the most original voices I’ve encountered in recent satire. I couldn't help chuckling because its disdain is so palpable, its observations bitingly precise, and its own existential crisis oddly moving. This book reads like a fusion of radical philosophy and sociopolitical protest, combining philosophical inquiry with sharp cultural criticism but always keeping the situation relevant so you can understand it all through context and action. The absurdist elements never overshadow the emotional thread running beneath Aldo’s journey, and there is a surprising amount of compassion hidden in all the sarcasm. Overall, Indifferent Universe is a brilliant, chaotic, and uncomfortably honest examination of what it means to be human, told by something that never got the chance, and I would certainly recommend it.

Zahid Sheikh

Indifferent Universe by Joseph Blackhurst is a humorous and thoughtful novel about Aldo Go, a lonely cemetery salesman whose life changes after he discovers a dead body near his apartment. Aldo, weighed down by regret and a sense of invisibility, becomes strangely attached to the corpse, dragging it into his basement and reflecting on his existence. The story follows Aldo’s daily routines, his strained family relationships, and his memories of a short, failed marriage. As Aldo tries to find meaning in his life, the novel explores themes of loneliness, purpose, and the search for connection, all set against the backdrop of a world that seems not to care. With a mix of dark humor and philosophical questions, the book invites readers to see the world through Aldo’s eyes.

Joseph Blackhurst’s writing is sharp and original, with a voice that feels both honest and witty. The plot moves at a steady pace, balancing strange and sometimes absurd moments with real emotion. I found myself drawn to Aldo’s character—his flaws, his quest, and his quiet hope for something more. The action is subtle but powerful, focusing on small choices and everyday struggles that feel very real. Themes of mortality, isolation, and the need to be seen are woven throughout the story, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Reading this book made me reflect on my search for meaning and the ways we all try to matter. Anyone who likes stories that mix humor with deeper questions about life will find Indifferent Universe both moving and memorable.

Alissa Deann

Indifferent Universe by Joseph Blackhurst is an engaging novel that answers a big question about life. It starts with a question given to an AI: "How did our universe begin, how will it end, and what is the meaning of life?" Instead of the AI giving a direct answer, it narrates the story of Aldo. Aldo is a sad and lonely man who is searching for purpose in his life. His story starts in his childhood, when he had lots of traumatic experiences and moved to Switzerland due to his mother's job. It then moves to other stages of his life where he faces social isolation and bullying, chases his passion and dreams in music and writing, struggles with addiction and short-term relationships, gets a new job, makes new friends, and finds love. Aldo wants to be seen and accepted by the world but lacks self-love. The book shows his struggles and how he ended up, hinting that the universe may not care about us, but we can still create, love, and hope because we must.

Aldo's story was heartwarming and introspective. It showed moments of love, laughter, pain, failure, loneliness, and deep thoughts. This book made me reflect on different moments in my life and touched me in so many ways. It may not be for everyone, but if you have ever felt confused or alone in the world, this book will help you understand your life better. It's a gem. The writing style is detailed but easy to follow. Sometimes the story made me feel sad, and sometimes even curious. It carries a great message that we should learn to care for each other and develop self-love as well. It taught me the importance of finding meaning in everything we do, even if it doesn't get the attention or approval we expect. I recommend Indifferent Universe by Joseph Blackhurst to readers who love unique stories with deep thoughts about life. Also for people who enjoy stories about failure, loneliness, and the meaning of life.

Asher Syed

Indifferent Universe by Joseph Blackhurst revolves around the life of Aldo Go from childhood to adulthood, narrated by the acerbic and unapologetic voice of an AI creation. Aldo Go, once married to a wealthy influencer, works as a cemetery salesman with Jason Rossvane. Back to the beginning, Aldo's childhood includes an alcoholic father, a brain-injured mother, and a move to Switzerland, where he faces bullying. Aldo writes novels and screenplays while meandering through friendships, with the likes of people such as Tyler, Rann, Trinity, Ariella, and romantic disappointments. He holds jobs from a shady tanning salon to cold-calling nights in a mausoleum basement, where he encounters disturbing events. Aldo supports Trinity’s plays, secretly pens a fantasy series, and deals with personal betrayals. Throughout the novel, Aldo’s life moves between creative ambitions, failed music projects, and uneasy social connections.

Indifferent Universe by Joseph Blackhurst is sharp and absolutely brilliant, with the AI serving as an excellent vehicle for the storytelling. The humor hits just the right note throughout, delivering a tone that, in my mind, played out in an Aubrey Plaza dry, deadpan style. I love the total ridiculousness of Aldo’s life, like an awkward upsell attempt and a tearful moment after euthanizing a bird. The author's ability to work the story into a series of layers that can almost read as individual slices of life culminates in an unexpected twist at the end, where we learn what the reality of this narrative is, and by whom. The metafictional first-person AI leans into creativity and artistic boundaries, which is clever, especially since the irony is that there's a pervasive message on the dangers of AI-generated art and its impact on human creativity, which is the entire basis of the arc. Overall, this is an inventive and intelligent read where the polished writing and humor cohesively blend into a wild ride and an enjoyable read.