Being Human, Then Decaying

A tragedy in two parts. The "A" story follows a man after a breakup who, after writing down every story he could remember from his relationship, lets himself decay, allowing his friendships, work, and life to fall apart. The "B" story goes through some of the key stories that he had written down, moving from third-person to first-person perspective, from their first meeting to their first kiss to their eventual end.

In addition to examining the effects of an empty spirit on a person, this novel dives into the gray areas of vice and virtue. We look at the spaces where what is seen as "virtue" does not come as virtuous and what is seen as "vice" comes as less so.

K.C. Finn of Reader's Favorite gives it five stars and writes: 

"Being Human, Then Decaying by J.B. Exte is a deeply introspective literary novel exploring heartbreak, memory, and self-destruction. Told in two interwoven narratives, the story follows Elisha, who spirals into emotional decay after a painful breakup. In the 'A' story, he lets his life deteriorate, withdrawing from friends, work, and all semblance of normalcy. Meanwhile, the 'B' story presents his relationship in fragmented memories, shifting perspectives to show the love, passion, and inevitable dissolution of their bond. As these narratives intertwine, the novel questions the boundaries between vice and virtue, exploring how the past can haunt and shape a person’s present.

J.B. Exte has created a novel that lingers like a ghost in your mind with all its many voices and perspectives, and it felt hauntingly emotional from cover to cover. This is more of an experience than the typical storyline of most novels, offering a beautifully written meditation on loss, memory, and self-destruction that captures all the emotional aftermath of heartbreak with aching authenticity and nuance. The novel’s dual perspectives create a layered and immersive read that has a lot of complexity, and Exte has a full and confident command of the story at every turn. With its raw prose and unflinching look at human fragility, the plot moves with great pacing that gives us time to breathe and think but is also a fast-moving and powerful exploration of what it means to unravel and the thin line between love and obsession. Overall, Being Human, Then Decaying is a powerful read that I would not hesitate to recommend to fans of emotive literary writing."