Dropped Calls
Dropped Calls” is a collection or three short stories that share a common thread, for in each of these stories mankind was given clear and obvious signals he is headed towards ruin, and driven by ignorance, greed, or apathy, continued undeterred. Man is past the point of radical solutions and is in critical need of a paradigm shift, one that holds sacred all of life, and recognizes truth and love as the forces that cement these bonds.
The Attenuating Puritan
Embark on a contemplative journey with our altruistic hero, a reflection of purity in words and deeds, yet occasionally marked by ancestral toxins. With unwavering conviction, he dances under the world’s weight, marching into the unknown, his steps marked by hope and staunch faith.Bound by a noble quest to restore the splendor of Eden, his every gesture is a sacrifice, a stride towards the pristine and divine. Amidst adversities, he stands a fortified pilgrim, mastering the shackles of mind and body, emerging as a triumphant victor, a mirror to us all daring to confront our reflections.He is the champion of tainted sacraments, a crusader against the clutches of heavy metal and forever chemicals, hinting that our destinies might be cradled in such hands. As we tread the path of love eternal, each step taken is righteous, a gentle move towards the boundless cosmos that binds us in love.In The Attenuating Puritan, every breath taken is a whisper of attenuation, every quenched thirst a sigh of grace, and every bounty received a step closer to the celestial, encapsulating a tale of hope, resilience, and the ceaseless quest for the divine amidst the terrestrial.
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About The Author
Robert McGuiness was born in Bayshore New York. He attended school in Smithtown and graduated from Smithtown High School in 1972. He made his way to the West Coast in 1976 and has made Northern California his home ever since . He enjoyed being a “Back to the Lander” and lived remotely, off grid. He has two children, Jewel and Bob, and a dog named Marbles. Currently he is involved with an Oak Restoration project, and associate of the Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics. And a member of the North American Lily Society. When not busy he writes and studies and enjoys music.
Robert McGuiness
What Readers Are Saying
I can’t stop reading!!!!
Sherice Iloff
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
The author tackles some deep philosophical and sociological ideas through a lens of modern dilemmas from the political to the environmental to the spiritual. Well worth reading purely for the joy of rumination on the authors take on these classic thematic conflicts.
Francis Tolan
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2024
It had very meaningful message. Great read very thought provoking.
Buddy
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
Enticing read. Love the short stories. Very interesting and mind engulfing. Really puts your thoughts into motion. Definitely recommend reading this book. Excellent writing skills. Well thought out. You will be thoroughly engaged throughout the entire book. Mesmerizing. Truly a masterpiece.
AChivrell91
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
Book Review
From the very first page, The Attenuating Puritan pulls readers into the mind of a man on a bizarre and unsettling mission.
Written in raw, hypnotic prose, The Attenuating Puritan is a novel that defies convention. Robert McGuiness crafts a unique narrative that blends faith, madness, and environmental decay into a surreal journey of self-destruction and blind devotion. This is not just a story—it is an experience, a reckoning with the hidden poisons of both the world and the human mind.
At its core, the novel follows a man consumed by an unrelenting mission, willing to sacrifice everything for a purpose only he understands. His mission is extreme, pushing his body to its limits as he immerses himself in the suffering of the forgotten.
Along the way, he encounters strangers who view him with a mix of curiosity, scorn, and quiet unease.
Conversations feel charged, sometimes humorous, sometimes confrontational, always leaving more unsaid than said. The protagonist’s words carry a weight that lingers, forcing those around him—and the reader—to question what they truly believe.
The prose is unfiltered, raw, and deeply immersive, pulling readers into the protagonist’s fractured mind and making them feel every moment of his journey. What makes The Attenuating Puritan so compelling is its refusal to offer easy answers. It does not tell you what to think—it simply lays out a path and dares you to walk it. Is the protagonist a martyr, a prophet, or a man lost in his own delusions? The book doesn’t decide for you. It challenges, unsettles, and stays with you long after the final page.
The protagonist’s robe is another standout element— more than just clothing, it reflects his journey, convictions, and something far deeper. It silently bears witness to his choices, shifting in ways that challenge both him and those around him. As his mission unfolds, the robe remains a constant reminder of his purpose and struggles, hinting at a hidden truth that only fully emerges as the story reaches its gripping depths.
Overall, this is a story of contrasts—purity tainted by unseen forces, hope tested by suffering, and devotion challenged by the limits of the body and mind. He is a warrior against unseen toxins, a seeker of something beyond the physical world, yet bound to it by duty and belief.
Purchase the Book Today on Amazon.
Rating: 4.8/5 Stars
Reviewer: Liam Weston
Date of Review: March 26, 2025
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Press Release
Robert Gary McGuiness has led a life shaped by exploration, reflection, and self-discovery. Born in Bay Shore, New York, he graduated from Smithtown Central High School in 1972 before traveling west to Arizona and eventually settling in California in 1976. Immersed in the back-to-the-land movement, McGuiness homesteaded off the grid in Northern California, cultivating a life deeply connected to nature, family, and personal growth.
This rich tapestry of lived experience informs his contemplative new work, “The Attenuating Puritan,” which will be showcased at the London Book Fair 2026 through The Maple Staple Bookstore, returning for its third year at Booth 6A100. The book follows a modern-day pilgrim as he navigates life’s challenges with steadfast faith, hope, and moral conviction.
“The Attenuating Puritan” traces the life of a modern-day pilgrim whose every action is a step toward restoring a lost sense of purity and spiritual fulfillment. Confronting both internal and external adversities, from inherited flaws to the pervasive pressures of a complex world, he emerges as a figure of resilience, embodying the virtues of courage, reflection, and moral conviction. Each page offers meditative insight into the human spirit, exploring how ordinary lives are marked by quiet heroism, sacrifice, and the pursuit of something greater.
Visitors can explore “The Attenuating Puritan” at The Maple Staple Bookstore, Booth 6A100, during the London Book Fair from March 10–12. The book is also available in Kindle and paperback editions on Amazon and other major online retailers worldwide.
