Trafford's Trading Club is a true delight to read among the novels present on this site. The premise of the novel is that a college student stumbles upon a store that grants any wish upon equivalent exchange of anything the buyer finds valuable. The main character decides to trade for the ownership of the store itself in exchange for his freedoms and thus the story begins.The story develops in much the same way as a modern, western drama. Although each chapter is not quite self-contained story-wise, TTC is defined by a series of short, but meaningful story arches following a rotating cast of interesting characters. What is particularly worth noting is the fact that TTC takes the time to develop each of these seemingly insignificant characters into those you are, at the end of the arc, deeply invested in. Perhaps, this is what the story is all about. The main character's philosophy is partly rooted in how he seeks meaningful--and therefore pure souls--that can grow out of initially unassuming lives. I nteh same way TTC as a novel brings us on this similar journey where these rotating characters grow to become main agents in the story--or fizzle out into nothingness.TTC is a novel that, although seated in a veneer of fantasy and mystery of learning more about these supernatural, demonic powers, is really about the exploration of the human condition and various musings on the meaning of life and the significance of a person. Definitely worth a read, TTC brings a refreshing new spin to the often-times derivative novel scene. I look forward to its success and what it means for this online novel community.Kudos!
