Book of the month

I would love to tell you the book of the month is Roger Zelazny’s - “Changling” that I picked up at the used-book store.

(God! I hate Grammar! Is it “Zelazny’s: Changling,” Zelazny’s Changling” or Zelazny’s – Changling”?)

For one thing, It has one of the most fascinating premises ever. A child born of technology is swapped for a child from a world of magic. Both grow up with an ability that is feared in their new world. Sadly, from there, the book goes to shit. Which is odd because Zelazny is one of my favorite authors. I cannot recommend highly enough the audio tape “The Last Defender of Camelot.” I’ve written about it before.

A long time ago I wrote a column about “Beautiful Things.” If I remember correctly, the premier item was “The Last Defender of Camelot” audio book by Roger Zelazny and read by “Odo” from “Deep Space Nine.” Or maybe you remember him better as the snide Butler on “Benson.”

Regardless of how you remember him, Rene Auberjonois had the best reading voice I have ever heard and holds that title to this day. Nothing else compares. It could be compared to sitting on your grandfather’s lap, in the middle of an ancient medieval Inn, a fire roaring, the crowd breathlessly listening to an old man with a beard, weave a tale of magic that would stay with those people for the rest of their lives.

I listened to that tape a dozen or more times over the years and never tired of it. It was a work of beauty.”

Honestly, I wish I could listen to it now. In fact, as soon as I finish writing this I’m going to search for it on my iPhone. (Which I have to add, as a tribute to Lena and Strother, is better than your phone. :-)

I love Roger Zelazny as a writer and I loved the premise of this book. Sadly, the characters are shallow, hollow, and without reason. I had to give it up with only 75 pages to the end and look for something else.

What I found (through Facebook no less) was “Lamb” by Christopher Moore. The 14th apostle “Biff” tells the story of Jesus from age 6 to 30, which you may know, is not told in the bible. (I am a little bit jealous because this is actually an idea I had for a book I would write myself. Admittedly, nothing like this.)

I have never laughed so hard due to a book.

I have occasionally smiled, maybe giggled a couple times, but I have never, ever laughed so hard I had to put the book down for five minutes while I laughed. Yesterday, while lying in bed as Wendy and I woke up on a lazy Saturday, I laughed out loud twice for five minutes at a stretch until tears came out of my eyes.

A slight disclaimer : I am not religious, but I do believe in God. The universe just makes too much sense for me to believe otherwise. I never ask God for anything, and I don’t know if he listens, but I thank him for, well, everything. I love being alive and I love our world and I know there is more after this. That said –)

I don’t find the book offensive in the slightest. There has never been an outcry by any religious front about the book, and Jesus is treated with respect. Not that it is important to me, but it might be for some people.

I have to admit, I haven’t finished it yet, but I have already enjoyed it enough to recommend it. If the last two hundred pages is nothing but recipes for carp, I will have still received my money’s worth in the laughter this book has invoked.

Highly recommended.