What if human nature isn’t flawed by chance — but sabotaged by design?
In SMIRCH: God is Gambling to Survive, author Erez Buchnik delivers a bold work of philosophical science fiction that blends evolutionary theory, neuroscience, and existential inquiry into a deeply human speculative narrative. Published by Shrewd:Things Ltd. on March 27, 2025, the novel asks a haunting question: What if the traits we consider human are actually corrupted code in the operating system of life?
The story begins half a billion years ago, when a subtle biological deviation altered the course of evolution. Fast forward to August 12, 2025, when an unusual mark appears on the jaw of an ordinary man named Adam—dubbed a “smirch” for lack of a better name. What begins as a medical anomaly gradually becomes the starting point of a deeper investigation—one that leads Adam to evidence of an ancient catastrophe that compromised not just biology, but consciousness itself.
Humanity was meant to mature into something more—but something went catastrophically wrong.
Now, Adam and the smirch must determine whether the damage can be repaired—and whether humanity is worthy of the upgrade.
Rather than presenting humanity as a chosen species, SMIRCH asks a more unsettling question: what if consciousness itself is struggling to survive—and humans are its most problematic hosts?
Blending dark humor, philosophical speculation, and scientific rigor, SMIRCH explores cognition, identity, and the uneasy boundary between defect and adaptation. The novel introduces a cast of eccentric thinkers, including the unpredictable Egon Mars, while unraveling a conspiracy older than life on land. At its core lies a provocative idea: perhaps our impulses, desires, and moral contradictions were never accidents, but deliberate alterations.
Buchnik draws from his own lifelong experience with epilepsy to inform the novel’s exploration of altered perception and neurodivergence. His writing challenges readers to reconsider what “normal” thinking means and whether evolution always selects for what is best, or merely what survives.
Perfect for readers of philosophical and speculative science fiction, fans of metaphysical thrillers, and anyone who has ever wondered whether consciousness is a gift—or a test.
About the Author
Erez Buchnik writes speculative fiction that investigates cognition, identity, and the unintended consequences of evolution. Living with epilepsy for nearly thirty years has shaped his fascination with perception, neurodivergence, and the fragile balance between adaptation, self-transcendence, and defect. His global travels have further shaped his interest in how different environments produce different ways of thinking and surviving.
Connect with the author online at
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Erez-M-Buchnik/61560319769676
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erezauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erezauthor
SMIRCH: God is Gambling to Survive is available for purchase on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SN9LL9
Book Details
Title: SMIRCH: God is Gambling to Survive Author: Erez Buchnik Publisher: Shrewd:Things Ltd. Publication Date: March 27, 2025 ISBN: 9789655982503 (Paperback) Genres: Philosophical Sci-Fi, Speculative Fiction, Existential Fiction, Metaphysical Fiction, Alternative History
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