Deus ex Machina: Logos

Deus ex Machina: Logos is a ghost story and debut novel by Charles Matthew Sauer. The title of the novel refers both to a ghost in a machine (cp. Koestler's The Ghost in the Machine), specifically within the software of a computer, and to a theatrical plot device. The novel is infused with some elements of Magic Realism, having many allusions to Echo and Narcissus among other Roman deities. It also contains elements of the Cyberpunk genre, including computer hardware and software jargon. It is a ghost story AbOUT a software engineer trapped inside the words of the book, and about how a doppelganger trapped her within the story. It is considered by some to contain the first poem, written in English, using C/C++ source code.

Plot summary

The novel opens with the main character, Cecelia, addressing the reader, as if seeing the reader through the words of the page. She then explains how she discovered clues to the location of a secret book, while working as a software engineer for a digital print company. She discovered the clues while researching software inventions for digital printers inspired by Roman fountains and the charred fragments of papyrus in Pompeii. While in Pompeii, Cecelia becomes mesmerized by the myth of Echo and Narcissus, and she describes why, stating that she believes that Echo trapped the soul of Narcissus, using his reflection.

Cecelia discovers the location of the secret book in a letter hidden in a cigar box kept by her grandmother. She indicates that she thinks the book might be an accounting ledger describing a gold mining claim prior to The Great Depression, belonging to her ancestors. Then, she researches the history of the area where the secret book is located, that it is located in a ghost town at a railroad depot in the mountains above La Veta, Colorado.

Alluding to the Great Depression, and subsequent unrelated Dust Bowl, and comparing them with the present time, Cecelia indicates that her STOCK market investments are failing. Because of that, she decides to invest in property near the location of the secret book. While negotiating with a real estate broker, for a former coal miner's estate, they discuss the La Veta train depot. The broker indicates that the depot and the {Inn|inn]] located near it, are available for rent as a retreat.

Cecelia rents the inn, and invites a friend to join her on a vacation. On the way to the inn, Cecelia and her friend Justin pick up a hitchhiker named Matthew, who coincidentally states that he lives near the inn. The remainder of the plot describes the peculiar circumstances surrounding the exploration of the area searching for artifacts, gold, and the secret book. During that time, Cecelia has dreams about Matthew and the surrounding area, which appear to mimic the reality of her wakefulness.

Literary significance and reception

The novel has received mixed reviews from critics. At Kirkus Discoveries, a critic recommended the book, stating that it contains “depth and sensitivity.” Further, the anonymous critic stated that while the book at times tends to be “scientifically didactic”, it contains “poetically symphonic imagery.” A reviewer at Monsterlibrarian.com indicated that “she didn't get it,” even though she found Matthew to be “quite the character.”

Allusions

Diana and Actaeon
Echo and Narcissus

References/allusions to literary devices

Deus ex Machina
Intertextuality
Logos

References/allusions to actual history, geography and current science

The Great Depression
The Dust Bowl

References/allusions to other works

Frankenstein

Publication history

2008, USA, Xlibris Corporation, ISBN , Publication date March 2008, Hardback
2008, USA, Xlibris Corporation, ISBN , Publication date March 2008, Paperback