a very, very odd book

[snugglekitty]

Today I finished Coyote Kings of the Space Age Bachelor Pad, by a Canadian gentleman named Minister Faust. I bought it because I thought it looked wacky, and boy oh boy, I was not wrong.

Nalo Hopkinson wrote that this book was, "Off the freakin' hook." She was also not wrong.



This book is not especially easy to read, what with the odd one-page character profiles, MANY viewpoint characters whose names are rarely mentioned, dialect writing, twisting plot, and length of more than 500 pages. But it is very strange and fascinating. The initial chapters are interesting, but not abnormal - two twenty-something sf geeks in Edmonton's Black* community are, respectively, a dishwasher and a video-store clerk, but they still have big dreams. Then a mysterious woman comes into their lives. One guy thinks she's an angel ready to fulfill his every dream, the other thinks she's a devil who will stomp his friend's heart into pieces. After that, things start getting odd - and odder. I don't want to give too much away, but included are ritual killings, betrayal, metaphysical drugs, lost love, ancient languages, robot armor, and even straight guys talking about their feelings. It will keep you guessing right up until the end.

I found this book intensely satisfying. If you are a reader of sf&f, and you want something different, give it a try. Four stars. I will be pursuing more of Minister Faust's work in the future, for certain.

*This is the terminology that was used in the book, and I want to respect that.

Comments

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

wow. i really, really, really wanted to like that book, what with the main character being named after one of my favorite musicians, plus the whole coyote thing. but the sexism just totally got me down :/

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Huh. It didn't strike me as particularly sexist, although it is true that most of the "major players" are men. I'll have to think about that.

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

well, and the one female character is a "super-female", gorgeous and brilliant and superpowered and just *happens* to be falling for our (relatively ordinary) protagonist, and then (shades of peter and mary jane!) has to depart abruptly at the end of the tale despite her apparent feelings.

not to mention the ways each pov character *talks* about women, which while completely different both imply that neither of them *know* any in real life.

ymmv, but this kind of thing just yanks my personal chain.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

I think I interpreted the main female character's actions and feelings a bit differently, but I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read the book.

The attitude of the main characters towards women strikes me as being terribly typical of fanboys who almost never get laid, so I guess I was interpreting it in that light.

Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. :)

[bluepapercup]

Wow. Sounds awesome. I want to pick it up.

Makes me think you would enjoy a book called Sewer, Gas, Electric: The Public Works Trilogy by Matt Ruff.

I don't want to give anything away, but one of the character is the head of Ayn Rand in a lantern.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

I think I've heard of Sewer, Gas, Electric - I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation.

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

Okay, just your description made me laugh out loud; I gotta wonder what the actual book would do. :-)

[bluepapercup]

I read it a long time ago, but I do remember the book making me giggle out loud at points.

Matt Ruff has written several other books, the ones of which I've read I've quite enjoyed.