1967 / Audiobook / 257 pages / USA
****
I've long been meaning to read some proper Hindu and Buddhist mythology, but this postmodern sci-fantasy tribute probably takes care of it. The premise is like one of those Star Trek episodes where advanced aliens impersonate primitive Earth deities, but Zelazny's cosplayers are more method and he's more respectful of the wisdom behind the trappings. It's the most 1967 thing I've ever read.
Philip K. Dick and Roger Zelazny, Deus Irae
1976 / Audiobook / 182 pages / USA***
This complex satire of orthodoxy demands rapt attention and cross-referencing that I was too lazy to provide, what with finding it a bit boring in places and wanting to move on, but I'm glad I made the pilgrimage.
Zelazny's voice is clear in the more fantastical and theological digressions, which are some of the more interesting bits. It's also probably not a coincidence that it contains more bizarre and memorable imagery than your standard PKDystopia.
Zelazny's voice is clear in the more fantastical and theological digressions, which are some of the more interesting bits. It's also probably not a coincidence that it contains more bizarre and memorable imagery than your standard PKDystopia.
Danny Wallace, Join Me: The True Story of a Man Who Started a Cult by Accident
2003 / Ebook / 320 pages / UK*****
I found Dave Gorman's further japes disappointing after his endearingly stupid namesake odyssey, co-authored with Danny Wallace in its definitive book form. It turns out I'd been following the wrong branch. Starting out similarly juvenile and egocentric before randomly becoming meaningful and heartwarming eight chapters in, this is the worthy sequel I was waiting for. Danny's admirably frank about how much of a twat he is, but this never would have happened if he wasn't.
2005 / Ebook / 290 pages / UK
****
Louis writes like he speaks, only more introspective, opinionated and sarcastic now he has to narrate as well. With no camera for his subjects to play up to, he digs deeper into what makes his kooky cast of harmless and less harmless characters tick, sometimes just having to accept defeat.
Angela Nagle, Kill All Normies: Online Culture Wars from 4chan and Tumblr to Trump and the Alt-Right
***
I don't know whether the online era in question had reached peak insanity by the time this immersive historical document was rushed to print, since I'd largely stopped paying morbid attention to that whole misanthropic battleground by then and returned to comforting escapism. I'll assume everyone agreed to live and let live, had a good think about what they'd done and the digital utopia arrived. Give it a rest, twats.
