Welcome to the official website of the MULTILAYERED REALITY trilogy, a captivating literary journey that delves into the intricate layers of human experience and perception and the blurred lines between fiction and reality. It guides readers through thought-provoking narratives with layered storytelling, unexpected twists, and deep emotional resonance. Each novel explores the obscured lines between what is real and what is imagined, questioning the very nature of existence, identity, and human connection.
Author Predrag Sidjanin wrote the trilogy Multilayered Reality under two pseudonyms: ZKMDY and Ema Neuman. For more information, see at AUTHOR.
The Multilayered Reality trilogy comprises three interconnected novels, translated into English, each exploring different facets of existence and storytelling:
Surprise Mode
Ever since She got infected with the Surprise Mode virus,
her life has become a 'surprise life
The first book, Surprise Mode, introduces characters caught in an intricate web of mystery and discovery.
In Surprise Mode, we follow the journey of a young woman, She, who faces unexpected challenges within the metaverse. Two malicious viruses attack her, Think and Brain, which target her due to her brief engagements in virtual reality—never exceeding ten seconds. She is concerned that none of her VR functions operate except for the visually generated stories provided by Think. She meets a Young Man who has escaped from his creator-father, who engineered him through genetic manipulation to be the ideal gay male. Their relationship develops in love.
Her decisions lead to parallel narratives. In one storyline, overwhelmed by an onslaught of long-stored information unleashed by the powerful Brain virus, her mind cannot withstand the pressure, leading to her demise.
Following the advice of a hacker named LoL, she destroys all her connected VR equipment. With assistance from LoL and a big tiger Cat, she narrowly escapes and survives the attack on her brain...
The narrative unfolds across multiple threads, each shaped by She's choices. She is a quantum physicist, which adds depth to her journey through these intertwined realities.
Emma in the book
Suddenly, in her predictable life, unpredictable and
extraordinary things start happening,
for which there are no reasonable explanations.
When the boundaries between fiction and reality disappear,
the only truth is the one you write yourself.
The second novel, Emma in the Book, delves into the uncanny interplay between an author and her fictional creations.
The second installment delves deeper into the concept of layered realities, introducing new characters and narratives that intertwine with Emma's story. As the protagonists confront their perceptions and beliefs, they uncover hidden truths about themselves and the world around them, revealing the complex interplay between different layers of reality.
In the book, Emma in the Book, we follow the life of a frustrated young woman who leads a monotonous existence, caring for her ailing mother and her favorite parrot, Arnold. Emma finds solace in VR shooting games, where she excels. Through a series of events, she experiences a 'time-based displacement' or 'time triangulation' that transports her from the library in which she is into a void, eventually leading her into the narrative of the novel Surprise Mode. Emma is unaware that she has fallen into the novel she held when the triangulation occurred.
Upon entering the scenes of "Surprise Mode," Emma becomes invisible and inaudible to its characters—Girl, Young Man, and LoL. Despite her unseen presence, she influences their actions, altering their fictional reality. With her assistance, the characters discover that Girl and LoL are identical twins who were separated at birth and remained unaware of each other's existence until age 28. Together, with Emma's guidance, they embark on a quest to unravel the mysteries of their lives.
At a pivotal moment, triggered by another temporal triangulation, Emma returns to the library. Determined to understand her experiences, she collaborates with David to uncover the truth. She begins to write her journey, which captures the interest of her neighbor, Aaron. With the help of his uncle, Emma's first novel was published in America, titled Emma in a Book.
Maya and Gugl
No matter how hopelessly miserable her life seemed,
one unexpected encounter while singing on the street
transformed it into miraculous bliss,
forever changing her world.
The final installment, Maya and Gugl, brings the story to a compelling conclusion, where the characters begin questioning their autonomy within the narrative.
In the third book, Maya and Gugl, we meet Gugl, a man from Hong Kong, who, under unusual circumstances, encounters Maya, a fourteen-year-old Ukrainian girl, singing on the streets of Stockholm to pay off her father's gambling debts. Maya's tragic past involves her father, who, after losing his fortune to gambling, killed her mother and unborn brother, attempted to kill Maya, and ultimately took his own life. After these events, the group forces Maya to beg throughout European cities and sing, using her exceptional soprano talent. Gugl helps Maya escape the clutches of this gang, and over time, they form a close bond, as they are both without families. Gugl adopts Maya as his daughter, and they embark on extraordinary journeys together. During a turbulent flight, during a severe storm that causes panic among the passengers, Maya meets Emma. She realizes that Emma is a writer and that she and Gugl are characters in her narrative.
Upon arrival in New York, the situation becomes more complicated as they encounter other characters from Emma's fiction: She and LoL, protagonists of "Surprise Mode" and "Emma in the Book." Events unfold rapidly. Gugl recognizes LoL, the owner of a painting that has disappeared at auction. Together, they set out in search of her. A painting by a Chinese artist, the same one that LoL had previously purchased at auction, disappears at Art Dubai. With their initiative, a chain of criminal activity is uncovered. The story ends with LoL returning the painting after over a year, and the artwork lost in Dubai is found in New York.
The final scene takes place at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where Maya, after studying at the Juilliard School, takes on the role of Norma in the opera of the same name. At one point, Emma catches the eye of a man in the gallery and realizes that he is ZKMDI, the author of Surprise Mode. It remains unclear whether Emma realizes that she, too, is a character in his imaginary novels.
With a unique blend of realism and metafiction, the MULTILAYERED REALITY challenges conventional storytelling, offering a fresh and immersive literary experience that lingers in the reader's mind long after turning the last page.
The trilogy culminates in a thought-provoking conclusion that ties together the various threads woven throughout the series. As characters face their ultimate challenges, the boundaries between fiction and reality become increasingly ambiguous, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of storytelling and the power of the human mind.
The Multilayered Reality trilogy invites readers to explore consciousness, identity, and their life stories through its multilayered narrative structure. Each book offers a unique perspective on reexamining perception and the layers that make up our understanding of reality. With a unique blend of realism and metafiction, the Multilayered Reality challenges conventional storytelling, offering a fresh and immersive literary experience that lingers in the reader's mind long after the last page is turned.
The trilogy culminates in a thought-provoking conclusion that ties together the various threads woven throughout the series. The characters face their ultimate challenges, and the boundaries between fiction and reality become increasingly ambiguous, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of storytelling and the power of the human mind.
The Multilayered Reality trilogy invites readers to explore consciousness, identity, and our stories through its multifaceted narrative structure. Each book offers a unique perspective, encouraging readers to question their perceptions and consider the multiple layers constituting our understanding of reality.