William Homer Omkowski is an alienated and haunted man who drinks
too much. He tells a story that spans a single evening and the
following morning, about a loft party he attended in Baltimore
forty-some-odd years ago and the tragic event that overshadowed
it. But this story is only a framework. Memories, events,
delusions, and images with origins that extend back to Creation
expand the design into an imposing, if unstable, edifice. His
rich, but unsteady, imagination enlivens a vivid tale laced with
free associations, stream of consciousness, and poetry.
Read the first chapter...
What They are Saying About
From an Otherwise Comfortable Room
"Mr. Sakowski, you are a master of subjective details,
philosophical musing, and deconstruction. This thought
provoking book of yours can only be described as a cross
between Burrough’s Naked Lunch and Alice in Wonderland. Our
main character Willie “Om” Omkowski being the Mad Hatter of a
sorts."
Cheryl Anne Gardner
Reviewer: goodreads.com
"The memories of an old man are endlessly fascinating and
intriguing. 'From an Otherwise Comfortable Room' is a
tightly-interwoven anthology about a fictional old man, William
Homer Omkowski, as he ponders his life and the strange people he
has met, from poets to Druids. Intriguing and entertaining
writing from author Roger Sakowski, 'From an Otherwise
Comfortable Room' is a top pick."
Willis M. Buhle
Reviewer: theFreeLibrary.com
“One needs to sit back with this book in a quiet place
and really appreciate it word for word.”
“The language is impeccable, the visions and moods it
creates admirable…”
“It reminds me of Joyce's Ulysses. This is either crazy
or genius--I vote for the latter.”
Wow! This has been a challenging read - but raucous
and riveting! Again, it is not for everyone. And you must love
poetry. To me the story reads more truly as an epic poem of
illusion and disillusion, of painful memories and hopeful
future, of alcohol saturated ponderings and frighteningly clear
vision. The cast of characters is like something from a Russian
novel - you almost need to write them down to keep track.
Overall, an amazing and enchanting piece of work that goes well
with a glass of wine - or your befuddling indulgence of choice.
Are we not the "points," each of us in the universe of our own
making, with lines to others - some strong, others fading,
others bloodied, others delightful? Hang on to those delightful
threads of existence! I could hear the Moody Blues constantly in
my own head in the background as I read!
Trina Smolen
Historian and screenwriter,
graduate University of Arizona