Synopsis

In the vibrant yet unforgiving world of Ottawa’s art scene, Alex Emin—a struggling artist haunted by family trauma and romantic failures—fights to carve out his legacy while navigating the shadows of great creators like Michelangelo and Picasso. As he wrestles with ambition, love, and identity, Alex’s journey unfolds as a raw and introspective exploration of the human spirit, blending the grit of modern realism with the timeless struggles of literary heroes. Freelancer is a poignant and richly textured tale of resilience, artistry, and the search for meaning in a world that demands both beauty and survival.

Amazon

Review

“I’ve been freelancing women like I did my art gigs. Short term thrills with no long term goals in mind.”

I think this line sums up the novel. Alex wants so badly to be an artist, but how much work did he really put into making the art and then promoting himself? His art might have been spectacular, but if no one knows it exists, it cannot be enjoyed.

I felt like Alex was trying to figure out his place in life. He worked hard at his craft and even tried teaching art to help support himself financially. His home life was turbulent with the divorce of his parents. It was easier to tell people she was dead, or let them believe that, than to explain the situation. I admired his dedication to his dad, but it was a struggle. I felt like Alex was out of place with the people he knew, compared to where he wanted to be in life.

I felt like Alex did want a relationship with Laura, but he didn’t know how to navigate that scenario. His only experience was a dysfunctional family. His friends weren’t even much help in understanding normalcy, or at least what society sometimes considers normal.

Alex grew in this novel. While he may not be where he needs to be yet, he made strides in his personal and professional lives. Nothing in life is easy, and it takes effort to become the person you want to be.

My only complaint is that there are no chapters or breaks when the scene changes. It was hard to find a good stopping place, or not be jarred by a change in scene. Although a shorter book at 188 pages, I believe there is no reason not to have chapters, or at least definitive breaks between scenes.

It is still a book worth reading, and we give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Cristian S. Aluas, a Romania-born Canadian artist and writer, now residing in Chicago. With a background in animation and creative writing, he has thrived as a freelancer since 2002, earning over a thousand five-star reviews on platforms like Guru.com and Upwork for his work in illustration and comics. He’s the creator of the “Big Boss” graphic novel series and author of IT’S A LIVING: Surviving as a Freelancer in the 21st Century. He now launches FREELANCER, a compelling novel that intertwines his experiences as a freelance artist with a poignant story of ambition, love, and self-discovery.

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