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The frank, unadorned tone of the writing delivers an effective slap
Associated Content Dayna Clay is a masterful act of portraiture. McComas never lets
the reader forget that Dayna is a bisexual woman, yet her humanity
and her universal struggle to recover her damaged spirit make
her a character to whom anyone can relate. The character-driven
Unplugged stands as a frank personal contemplation as well as a timely
reflection on youth culture in the post-grunge world. f-news School of the Art Institute of Chicago student monthly McComas combines with two other performers to present a visceral
live version of his work. He does a marvelous job of evoking the
mood of chaos and adoration that marks a rock concert, but does
even better at getting inside Dayna Clay's head. As a reading,
Unplugged works extremely well. There is enough of a taste of
the material to pique your interest in the book. As a theatrical
piece, the show is solid. Chicago actress Heather Mell inhabits
Dayna, bringing out both the pain and the hope that make up the
character. I give credit to McComas for presenting Dayna's "hit"
songs; they fit the material well. It's always a minefield trying
to create your own history of rock'n'roll. For every high like
"Velvet Goldmine," there is a more than shuddering low, like "The
Life of Christopher Gaines." Unplugged works because, in the end,
it isn't about rock'n'roll, but about personal demons and learning
to deal with those demons. And that makes Dayna Clay's story worth
exploring. Door County (WI) Advocate McComas writes about depression without bringing down the reader.
He writes about spirituality and the healing power of nature,
and it is magical and real, not boring and detached. And he writes
about sexuality -- bisexuality -- without it being a gimmick or
heavy-handed....This is not a typical recovery story with support
groups, self-help books, emotional therapy sessions and an embrace
of victimization. Instead, Dayna finds her way through by sheer
will, through the kindness of strangers and by connecting to the
grace and tenacity of life itself. In this time of militant identity
politics, it's delightfully surprising that a heterosexual man
wrote such a strong bisexual female character....Drawing on his
performance-art roots, McComas has also turned the book into a
cool and compelling performance piece. Chicago Free Press Rainbow Media Group Paul McComas has brought acclaim to Evanston through this book,
Unplugged; through his coast-to-coast performance tour; through his work
with numerous mental-health organizations; and through his message.
Listen to his words: that out of diversity can come hope, the
path to healing. Hon. Lorraine F. Morton Mayor, City of Evanston, IL An original, passionate, witty work that confronts the conundrums
of transformation....The earnest, principled Unplugged bridges the gap between stripped-down rock music and theatrical
storytelling. Critic's Choice Chicago Reader In his debut novel, Unplugged, author Paul McComas delights the reader's senses, "strutting
his stuff" right alongside his fictional leading lady--bisexual
rock-n-roll star Dayna Clay -- allowing the music of his prose
to strum its way into our hearts....McComas's writing is visceral.
The Badlands become interesting, even beautiful. We see and feel
the dirt hills which turn to slippery mud after rain but are still
effortlessly navigated by the indigenous, protected bighorns.
McComas is as capable of conveying emotional intensity as he is
humor, and so he keeps us turning the pages. Men and women alike
will fall in love with Dayna and will be sorry when the story
ends." Book of the Month Rapid River Literary Journal McComas goes far beyond the conventional reading and book signing:
he acts out the scenes he describes, using props, gymnastic agility,
and the easygoing charm of a street performer...I must admit that
the idea of a lesbian sex scene written by a straight man brought
up an automatic gag reflex. But Paul McComas either avoided or
was immune to the several flavors of weird that straight men can
project onto lesbians, and the romantic parts of the book could
well pass as woman-written...A really cool protagonist, Dayna
Clay could well provide a role model for troubled young women,
and Unplugged certainly beats The Well of Loneliness in that department...McComas'
well-crafted novel offers young Queers hope and second chances.
He would love to see Unplugged brought to the screen. If the producers
don't chicken out on the most interesting parts, it would sure
be something to see. Out in the Mountains (LGBT monthly) Burlington, VT After Kurt Cobain killed himself in 1994, Chicago writer Paul
McComas devoted himself to suicide prevention. His first novel,
Unplugged, imagines a Cobain-like musician who gets an unexpected
second chance...McComas' writing is intensely emotional, and in
this case there's something to be said for having your heart in
the right place. The Rake (Twin Cities)
Chicago rocker Dayna Clay's high-stakes struggle with depression
and abuse leads not to suicide but to a journey of self-discovery.
A tale of healing and hope, Unplugged is getting the word out that there is help in the fight against
depression. Chicago Tribune
McComas chronicles depression without depressing the reader, and
he shows a deep understanding of the way alienated young adults
can feel marginalized by the church and far from God...Dayna Clay's
journey to recovery and faith is absorbing, and her growing ability
to confront and deal with her illness is admirable. Learning to
trust and accept both her strengths and her weaknesses, she returns
from the wilderness - literally and figuratively - ready to embrace
life again. "Books of the Year" Christian Century Very well written, Unplugged is also a darned good tale: enjoyable,
uplifting and inspiring. One of the best [novels] of the year. "Writer's Corner Educational TV-20 (S. Florida) Unplugged is unexpectedly poignant and engaging. I was pleasantly
surprised by the depth and true-to-life nature of the writing;
it doesn’t call attention to itself at any point -- instead, the
flow is easy to get into and easier to get caught up in. The dialogue
is simple and effective, and the tone is hard-hitting and to the
point. The author demonstrates immense familiarity with and knowledge
of the Badlands and the surrounding area. The book also parallels
traditional Lakota beliefs: Dayna begins to experience nature
as a living creature that’s conscious of her presence. Her growing
connection to the land and its healing power -- evident in every
chapter, and told in a realistic, believable manner -- echoes
the religious reverence surrounding this sacred region. The novel
strikes home with hard-hitting emotions, yet without the extra
fluff of introspection. This book doesn’t attempt to explain itself;
it lets the reader come to his or her own conclusions. It’s up-lifting
without seeming cheesy, and the issues explored -- depression,
suicide, bisexuality, child abuse, religion -- are discussed so
frankly that anyone of any orientation, nationality or background
can find something in common with Dayna. The characters are so
well-developed and realistic that at no time did I have to humor
them by thinking, “Well, it’s a book; I’ll have to let that go.”
I’ve tried to find something I could criticize about this novel,
but it is a book of singular rightness. The Lakota Journal weekly newspaper of the Lakota Sioux tribal nation Paul McComas' debut novel Unplugged deftly navigates a woman's heroic journey through the dark corners
of her own mind. The book can be enjoyed as an adventure story,
but more than that, McComas brilliantly illuminates his heroine's
complex inner world and the wild, lonely landscape that she allows
to transform her. "Critics' Choice" Milwaukee Shepherd-Express McComas is an author/musician/performer extraordinaire with two
published books under his belt and a tattoo of a bighorn sheep
on his hip. Lawrence University Lawrentian Appleton, WI GUESS WHAT? Unplugged has received Critic's Choice/Recommended Reading designations from the Milwaukee Shepherd-Express (Nov. 2002), Christian Century Magazine (Dec. 2002) and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Apr. 2003).
A fabulous story, beautifully and intricately written, that will
appeal to those who value taking the time in their lives not only
to read, but to read through to the underlying message. "Inner Views" WNN-AM 1470 (South Florida) Unplugged is the gripping story of a suicidal young rock star who learns to use nature to help herself heal. One can't help feeling as if protagonist Dayna Clay is a real person. Paul McComas has much to offer: music, drama -- and a book that has 'screenplay' written all over it.
I read Unplugged with excitement and appreciation. This profound story of personal transformation touched me throughout, from its rich images and affirmations of God to its heartfelt critique of rigidity in the guise of religion -- to its depiction [via the character "Drake"] of the strength of a geezer like me!
This superbly crafted novel offers an unusual contemporary protagonist and a plot that’s anything but canned. Unplugged tells of a rocker who departs from the music world, setting out for parts unknown and ending up in South Dakota. Her search for solitude and healing may unexpectedly lead to a career she can’t shake in this moving story.
It’s a sad truth that there are too many teens and twentysomethings who suffer from mental illness, which makes this a book they need to read. In fact, it should be required reading for all senior high school students, though some frank writing about bisexuality may put off more conservative learning institutions. Unplugged is the dramatic story of Dayna Clay, a jaded alternative musician who escapes to the Badlands after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Once there, away from the world that adores her, she changes her identity, attempts to cure her depression and tries to make a new life for herself, though her old personality is still shadowing her every move. She quickly finds that these changes may be just what the doctor ordered, but they may not be enough to help her deal with the fastballs fate is about to throw her way. Paul McComas has a good grip on issues of sexuality, sexual abuse and mental illness, and he refuses to pull any punches. His story not only serves as an inspiration to those dealing with the same problems as Dayna, but it may also change the way other people think of them. Combine that with a remarkably realistic plot, and you have a book well worth reading.
Unplugged is tender, courageous and real. The interview with Dayna [Chapter 8] is brilliant...Author Paul McComas knows the story he tells, giving it a reality that can't be dismissed as fiction.
Paul McComas writes as all good fiction writers should: straight from the heart. His prose navigates the dark crevices of clinical depression as deftly as his heroine masters her newly chosen terrain. Inspired by a personal battle, the author transforms his own experiences into a work of fiction that provides hope for anyone who has been affected by depression.
As Dayna Clay's relationship with the Badlands deepens and she learns to respect and revere nature, her understanding of herself and her life become more profound as well. Away from the spotlight she is able to reflect on her childhood of abuse, her unhealthy relationships, and her misguided fear and anger. In Unplugged, McComas captures the volatile internal struggle to come to terms with the past, to understand the present and to accept that the future cannot be predicted or held at bay.
Unplugged moves you forcibly through its heroine's emotional quagmire, pulling no punches and abstaining from armchair diagnosis. This story screams truth through a megawatt amplifier.
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Unplugged is a rock ’n’ roll book that isn’t about modern rock ’n’ roll;
it simply is rock ’n’ roll. Unplugged is an amazing debut novel. McComas delves, scalpel-deep, into
the mind and heart of his troubled rock-star protagonist, Dayna
Clay. His style is visceral and muscular -- and the novel’s rugged
background, the Badlands of Dakota, is so vividly rendered that
it becomes a character as sharply etched as Dayna herself. A story
of revival, of love, of spiritual regeneration, told with a hard-edged
emotional intensity that will grip the reader from first page
to last. Paul McComas has addressed difficult issues through his initially
depressed and suicidal heroine, Dayna Clay, a bisexual rock musician
-- and he has managed to do so with intelligence and a tender
heart. Unplugged is the story of a young woman in the teeth of transformation.
Written with great insight and compassion, it is a deep, unpredictable
read that flows like a river. Enjoy the ride. Unplugged is a story I can’t seem to get enough of -- an exciting, messy,
whole human woman’s story that leads us on an exciting, messy,
whole human woman’s journey toward her true self. I fell in love
with Dayna; it was easy to get inside her heart and her life and
follow her anywhere she went, discovering with her how the earth
mirrors and reveals us when we shed our skin and let love in.
Brave, vulnerable, sexy, sensual and believable, Unplugged inspired me to keep writing and living my own story. And there
is no greater gift than that. A wonderful reading experience. McComas creates a character of
strength and determination, using humor, empathy, and knowledge
as building blocks for her successful journey through darkness
to the light. He displays a deep understanding of the psyche and
its relationship to behavior, to the land, and to art. The lyrical
text, the foundation of love as a generating force for spiritual
discovery, and the gentle narrative voice foster meaningful images
in this story of personal revelation. Unplugged is an uplifting story in which a burned-out, suicidal young woman
finds healing through nature, modern pharmacology and, not least,
love. Author Paul McComas puts you inside the head of the clinically
depressed and sheds needed light on a little-understood phenomenon.
With his words he paints stark, lovely vistas of the Dakota Badlands
that make the medicine glide down. With consummate skill, Paul McComas weaves together the interior
wilds of protagonist Dayna Clay and the exterior wilds of the
South Dakota Badlands. The reader cheers Dayna on her spiritual
and sexual quest, eager to see what she’ll discover as she leaves
the ups and downs of the music industry for the zig zag terrain
of the Badlands and her own psyche. McComas writes of women, depression,
and bisexuality as if he has “been there.” While reading Unplugged, not only did I share in Dayna Clay’s journey; I found myself
wantin to be her. For despite her many setbacks, the cosmos gives
Dayna signals along the way, highlighting the connections between
all living things and acting as her friend. In time, Dayna does
something each of us should strive to do: she takes the person
she grew up to become, searches for and finds her deeper, spiritual
self andthen melds them into one. Unplugged is an adventure, an inspiration and a call to action.” All contents ©1998, 2002-06 Paul McComas
John Doe, Entertainer
William F. Nolan
author of Logan’s Run
Bev Cobain, RN
author of When Nothing Matters Anymore:
A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens
Leigh Curran
author of Going Nowhere Sideways
cin salach, poet
author of Looking for A Soft Place to Land
Don Seiden
Professor Emeritus of Art Therapy
School of the and Art Education,
Art Institute of Chicago
author of Mind Over Matter
Tim W. Brown
author of Deconstruction Acres
and Left of the Loop
Chris Glaser
editor of Open Hands
author of Coming Out as Sacrament
Claire Massey, recording artist, Suncat Muse, planetclaire.com
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