Jagdlied is a work of arts-based literary fiction by a team of creators: author Dolly Gray Landon, musician Gary Lloyd Noland and graphic designer Lon Gaylord Dylan. The text calls itself “A Chamber Novel for Narrator, Musicians, Pantomimists, Dancers & Culinary Artists”, which means that whilst the text can be read as a standard book, Jagdlied provides the opportunity for artists, creators, performers, musicians and the like to expand on the story and present it in much more theatrical terms. The tale itself is a wild ride where a wealthy young woman finds her undoing, but the plot goes far beyond this single girl, ranging between sick-lit, grotesque, surrealist and absurd themes.

Ultimately, I didn’t really know what to make of this book as a single reader, other than the fact that it definitely kept me reading! I think the concept of treating the plot of Jagdlied with a wider artistic series of tools is an excellent idea, and I could certainly see the wild and absurd moments of the story enticing and inspiring spontaneous performance. The explicit content will not suit all readers, and I’d definitely say this is a niche read for artists of all kinds looking for something unexpected to create. Overall, author Dolly Gray Landon, musician Gary Lloyd Noland and graphic designer Lon Gaylord Dylan have created an explosive collection of content that will certainly get creative minds going, even if the reasons why are somewhat unclear! Jagdlied is an intriguing read, but not for the faint of heart.

Jagdlied by Dolly Gray Landon, Gary Lloyd Noland, and Lon Gaylord Dylan is a chamber novel that reads like a comic thriller complete with musical sidebars and graphics. The princess, more of a teenage heiress who thinks she is entitled to a huge inheritance, is about to be brought down to earth with a very large bump. Follow Melody on a sadomasochistic farcical journey as she learns some hard truths about life, love and whatever comes in between. This is aimed at adults only and, although you can read it as a novel, it is best with the music added in.

Jagdlied was one of those “oh my gosh!” books. I have given nothing away in this review because I believe it is best experienced for oneself! As a quick side note, for those who aren’t quite so keen of eye, the three contributors to this book are, in actual fact, one and the same person – the names are simply anagrams of one another. With that out of the way, where to start? This is most definitely an adult only book, not just because of some of the scenes in it but because of the entirely colorful and strangely eclectic mix of words used. This is a book that is full of words – the first paragraph gives it away – some of them used properly, others not so!

This is a very complex and long book, not for an amateur reader. The plot is totally outlandish, the graphics somewhat lewd in places and, to be honest, I found it a hard read. I don’t deny the genius of the author but I admit to getting somewhat lost in places, even with the music to help. It is an incredibly complex but creative book and there is no denying the cleverness and the constant plays on words.