Gather 'round, Kiddos

Lemme telya little story 'bout a man named "Barth". The recent release of my friend, Barth's, second book, "The Magician and the Fool" is a stupendous and admirable feat of daring-do, if I do say. His first book, "Patron Saint of Plagues" was a futuristic science fiction thriller in the style of say Robin Cook, or somebody else who is really good at combining sci-fi with really exacting medical stuff, plus some good shoot-em-up, and a fair bit of religious idolatry and obfuscation. Go read it.

Then we come to the "Mag and Fo" as I am endearingly referring to it. Barth' s style has matured so much in the between time of these books. Additionally, it is easy to tell that this is some subject matter than he can really get his hands on - the tarot. Something we are all vaguely familiar with, but know that it is for mystics with well-developed insights. Very powerful stuff here. So many times in this book, I got whiffs of other really great sci-fi/historical/fiction writers*, but combined in a most unique and Barth-y way. I was delighted and read this book straight through. Which brings me to my point, I think this book could have been longer, more detailed, and more, more, more. Maybe he'll write a sequel, or prequel - it's hard to know given the fractured time-line of this novel.

If you like anything to do with the occult, historical inquiry, or plot twist with style, you must read this. You Must! The Power of my Hooters Compel You! (hat-tip to Fab) Go immediately to the links and order because Barth needs new shoes and his kids need more Knob Creek... or... anyway. Go get one - I highly recommend it - and Barth is a way cool bald dude!

*at differing points along the way I was put in mind of Dan Simmons "Hyperion", Dan Brown, Stephen King (the Tower series, "The Stand"...) and others too varied to mention, but never in a copycat way. Definitely in a I-am-my-own-writer-in-this-tight-genre-and-I-have-been-inspired-to-new-heights kind of way. Did I mention you should go get a copy?? Go now, before I unleash the .... well...erm... something nasty like the Hounds of the Baskerville, or Smurfs on meth, or well, you know, your nightmare stuff. Now Go, I Tell YOU!!!!!