Author: James Morrow
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Rating: WORTHY!
DISCLOSURE: Unlike the majority of reviews in this blog, I've neither bought this book nor borrowed it from the library. This is a "galley" copy ebook, supplied by Net Galley. I'm not receiving (nor will I expect to receive or accept) remuneration for this review.
Set in the TV world of New York City in 1953, this novel is as hilarious as the name of James' Morrow's website (do visit! Click on his name above on my blog). It's set in the cozy world of 1950's TV - where the advertisers literally sponsored shows, and sci-fi really started taking off in several media. It's clear that Morrow is in love with the era, because it shows in the intelligent, knowledgeable, and warm way he writes about it.
The absurdly hilarious proposition behind this novel is reminiscent of the movie Galaxy Quest, which also features aliens tuning in to US TV shows, and misunderstanding them. In this case, the aliens are logical positivists (a self-assessment soon to be revised!), and cannot stand the thought of two million viewers buying the religious lies each week. Unless things improve, the aliens plan to exterminate all two million by means of shooting a ray out of the TV screens during the next transmission of the show. It befalls Kurt, the male protagonist who is hardly religious, to save the religious show! I'm still chuckling at that concept.
Kurt is a struggling sci-fi writer, who has the hots for Connie, the producer and writer for the religious show, although as an atheist, he has little faith that she will reciprocate, of course, but the two team up once she becomes convinced he's not loony tunes with his alien story. Their solution is subtley anarchistic and if I can put it paradoxically like this: awash with dry humor. The romance which sparks between them is a far cry from so many crappy 'romances' I've read in far too many YA fiction novels lately. This is a fine grown up example of how to write a realistic and believable relationship.
I recommend this story - which is a relatively short and easy read - wholeheartedly.
