Top 10 Bible Books — Ranked & Reviewed
A Literary, Spiritual & Cultural Review of Scripture’s Most Influential Texts By The Forward Times Australia – Faith, Literature & Thought Series
A Fearless, Darkly Comedic Fantasy for Adults Only Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5 Stars) Reviewed by: Victoria Dill, The Forward Times Australia (TFTAnews)

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a children’s book concept is turned inside out, stitched with absurdity, chaos, and philosophy — Curtains Teddy Nemesis: Bear Psychotic is your answer. Steven Dean delivers a story that is unhinged in the best possible way: wildly imaginative, unapologetically strange, and deeply engaging.
This isn’t a teddy bear tale — it is an adult fever-dream fantasy wrapped in fur, humour, and glorious madness.
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The book introduces us to Curtains Teddy Nemesis, a teddy bear with a temperament sharp enough to tear through clichés and villains alike. Dean rejects the gentle teddy trope and gives us someone aggressive, bold, occasionally heroic — and never boring.
Teddy’s world, Happy Valley, is colourful and dangerous, packed with surreal characters and unexpected threats. His sidekick, Cuthbert Grub, a goofy caterpillar full of heart but short on sense, provides comedic counterbalance to Teddy’s chaotic energy.
Across five unpredictable adventures, readers encounter:
🧨 Mansions destroyed in righteous rage
🔥 A journey to Hades to capture the monstrous Cerberus
🕷 A tap-dancing spider (yes, giant — and rhythmic)
🚴 200mph bicycle inventions
🐾 Odd creatures, wild quests, and daily absurdity
Every chapter feels like stepping into a dream built on laughter, danger, and limitless fantasy.
Steven Dean writes without a leash. His prose leaps between tones — dark, comic, emotional, reflective — often within the same page. Instead of tidy structure, Dean chooses momentum, and it works.
The book’s pacing stands out:
⚡ Fast, punchy action sequences
💬 Sharp dialogue layered with comedic bite
🌫 Surreal dreamlike passages
❤️ Emotional turns that appear when least expected
You don’t read this book — you ride it.
Teddy might be psychotic, unpredictable, and frequently violent… but readers cannot help rooting for him. His charm hides beneath his rage, and his loyalty beneath his claws.
He is:
✔ Fearless, even when terrified
✔ Protective of his home world
✔ Fiercely loyal to Cuthbert
✔ Chaotic, flawed, and oddly lovable
Cuthbert Grub is the warmth that balances Teddy’s madness — a clumsy voice of conscience who guides, annoys, and loves him through disaster.
What makes this book surprisingly profound is the philosophy woven into the narrative. Steven Dean, a teacher of A Course in Miracles, infuses spiritual reflection beneath the chaos.
Quietly but clearly, the story explores:
• What does it mean to accept yourself?
• Why do we fear the things that make us different?
• Can friendship thrive in madness?
• How do we find calm in absurdity?
It’s funny, strange, and thoughtful — a rare combination.
❌ Not for small children.
❌ Not for anyone expecting a gentle bedtime story.
✔ Perfect for adult readers who enjoy books that break the rules
✔ A gem for fans of Terry Pratchett-esque humour
✔ A delight for lovers of absurd, surreal fantasy
✔ A must-read if you’re bored of predictable plots
This book is fresh: dangerous, silly, smart, and a little bit insane.
Curtains Teddy Nemesis — Bear Psychotic is a riot. Chaotic, weird, bold, and brilliant — a work of fiction destined for cult status. Steven Dean takes risks, and every gamble pays off. The writing is exciting, the characters unforgettable, the world shockingly imaginative.
A masterpiece for readers who crave originality.
📚 Highly recommended.
Victoria Dill
The Forward Times Australia (TFTAnews)
A Literary, Spiritual & Cultural Review of Scripture’s Most Influential Texts By The Forward Times Australia – Faith, Literature & Thought Series
Forward Times Australia | Book Review Tongue: A Cognitive Hazard Author: Chase Hughes Original Review Insight: Steven Dean
Review by The Forward Times Australia (TFTAnews) Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
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