Jan-ken-pon #115 – A Trio of Books to Kick off the ‘09

Issue #115

December 16th, 2008

As 2008 nears its conclusion, I find myself left with the feeling that this year started off rather slow. I think that the year ended up closing out rather strong – as these things tend to balance out. Because of this, I am rather pleased that I have come across and read a trio of books scheduled for a January 2009 publication date that would have been contenders to be on my favorite reads of this year (which I’m told will go up on Friday, along with favorites from the rest of contributors). For the versatile reader armed with a stack of gift cards from holiday plunder there is a great opportunity to start the ‘09 in a manner that dares following months to best it. If such were to happen, it’s going to be an exciting year and I just want to give people a heads up on them!

The first I want to point out is by an author that I discovered earlier this year. The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril was just a blast and while there are numerous examples of writers of both novels and comics that give nods to pulps; Paul Malmont goes beyond mere embrace and strikes to the very heart of what made pulps great. This made his next novel, Jack London In Paradise, a must read and it’s a completely different animal. Most people know Jack London for his Dog-books, something that in-novel London is keenly aware of. The Call of the Wild and/or White Fang are titles most people know even if they had never read the books or seen a movie bearing the name. I’d gather most reading this know London as something a bit more. Not only as a writer who is arguably a foundational SF writer, but also a legitimate Renaissance man who reinforced the term Jack-of-all-Trades; while being one of the most famous people walking the planet in his time. Jack London In Paradise tells the story of a former confidant and producer of early film adaptations of London’s work seeking the famed author out to ask for the an original screenplay to relaunch his career. The man is Hobart Bosworth (IMBD lists him as a “pioneering movie director, writer, producer, and actor”) and he follows London to a place they know as Paradise. He finds London once again on a journey; one to lose himself under the guise of finding himself. A staunch socialist, London seeking refuge in the very last state to enter the union is both heartfelt and harrowing. That Malmont successfully brought a larger than life character to life would be deserving of merit enough. That he is able to bring the setting alive, and pull off a bit of a mini-Michner feat during the exploration and/or attempt of escape by London would equally be so. Neither, however, are the most enduring feats within the novel. It is Malmont’s portrayal of Charmain, Jack’s wife, and all that she can give and the one thing she can’t, that gives the read an aura of true love and the opportunity for heartbreak. It is through Charmain we see Malmont consolidate the icon and the man; it is through her he both reminds and endears us.

You will not be able to come away from this novel and not go on the hunt for a Jack London novel, and even more, some non-fiction reading on the man. I can’t think of a bigger accomplishment a novel can claim than spurning more reading down a path previously unplanned prior to. It would be a pleasant surprise to find another book in 2009 I enjoy more.

Also in January we see the return of R. Scott Bakker to the series that made him a bit of a cult-favorite within the pop-corner of a cult-medium. In my mind, Bakker’s Prince of Nothing trilogy was the most unique, completed, accomplishment in the field since Donaldson’s first Covenant arc or McKillip’s Riddlemaster. There would be an argument on whether the trilogy completed anything, but I think it’s clear that trilogy could claim to conclude the story in the setting, and claim to have chronicled the beginning and end of one war. Not all journeys are meant to end the same, and Bakker’s relentless sticktuitiveness to that mantra created what I felt was this abrupt yet resonant piece in the epic fantasy landscape. The bad guy wins, but you know what? The bad guy isn’t much different from what a lot of people view as ultimate good on blind faith – something any Barbarian can tell you. Bakker chooses to return with a brand new arc taking place several years after the end of his first trilogy and takes us on the march of the Great Ordeal – as the Aspect-Emperor himself leads his holy army in the field. We also see the return of an Akka; now the sole wizard of the Three Seas, a sorcerer with no school. Motivated and rotting by an aged thirst for vengeance, it is the teacher in him that won’t allow him to wither away. The Judging Eye is an incredibly smart and smart ass title to a book that deceives in being Bakker’s most straight forward read. We reenter The Three Seas with the Aspect-Emperor firmly in power and Bakker’s offering of perspective on how easily – or how hard – one’s enemy becomes one’s god, or how easily the scions of a god accept their holy seats are only two of the fascinating elements to the novel. The Judging Eye sets what was a quicker pace for me than any other Bakker novel to date. In doing so I was left with the feeling – even as I was reading – that I was just scouting ground I’d have to return to later. How Bakker continues to move Kellhus in mysterious ways is something I can’t wait to witness more of.

Richard Morgan enters Fantasy coming off a quickly garnered and richly deserved reputation as one of the great new voices in Science Fiction. I realize this was released in the UK this year, but I didn’t read that edition and I’m supposing many people like me will get their first taste with the U.S release. What you get is what anybody who actually has ever read a Richard Morgan SF novel – be it a Korvac book or Black Man – would expect. A no nonsense, frighteningly efficient, high octane, intense novel. It’s more akin to early Moorcock S&S or Karl Edward Wagner Caine stories than more recent examples of High/Epic Fantasy, and in doing so does something unbelievably difficult – writing a classic Sword and Sorcery novel that doesn’t come off as total fan fic. Ancient, semi-mythological beings return to claim their rightful homes now in the hands of humanity, and it is the veterans of the last war that will once again be on the frontline to confront the new threat. It’s not something any of us haven’t heard before; indeed Morgan even The Steel Remains an intriguing work and one that at the very least is hook enough to reserve time to read the follow-up – even if the thought is based a lot on one’s faith in the author’s abilities displayed elsewhere. Morgan is, however, writing a Sword and Sorcery series, and it’s not at all apologetic at all in that regard (nor should it have to be). I would only not recommend The Steel Remains to anybody who thinks such is not the case and who may have visions of Morgan usurping the tradition – he is in fact embracing it. What is different is that Morgan leaves the large scale, larger than life battles in the past, and makes essentially every encounter in The Steel Remains immediate, personal, and thus ugly. Ugly is in fact a key concept in the novel, as Morgan doesn’t allow us to not think of any of his characters as lacking the trait in some regard. In many ways it’s a more successful version of Tim Lebbon’s Dusk and Dawn and though it feels like a novel you can punch holes in under scrutiny; you also feel like Morgan is daring you to do so – confident that those holes will turn into quantum rabbit holes. There are times it is the finer points that need be cherished. Morgan reminds us that sometimes it’s more convenient and prudent just carrying around the biggest stick.

Just a trio to get it started, and I actually think the first full quarter of 2009 brings a number of strong offerings beyond the first month.

We are off to a kick ass start.

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_{Jan-ken-pon is the time traveling, force-walking, multiverse crossing column of Jay Tomio, owner of 1/3 of everything you see currently on screen and the editor of Heliotrope. He hates over-editing. Some call him the Bodhisattva.}

About Jay Tomio

...Jay Tomio is the co-owner of BSCreview and BSCkids. You should probably become his disciple through twitter @JayTomio. More fun awaits at Gestalt Mash, Vogue Immunity, and The Malazan Ascendancy.