kaylaglasgow

* Ad copy lie: "THE INVASION OF THE HALLUCINOGENIC PEOPLE FROM UNDEREARTH! They had existed from time immemorial, hidden in a space warp far beneath the surface of the earth. Until now, their only form of nourishment had been a strange hallucinogenic grain. Now, they hungered for human flesh. The earth was to be their stockyards and mankind their meat..." Of this, the entire back-cover copy, only the second sentence is not a lie, either outright or by implication. The front cover says, "They came from the Underearth to take over the world." This, too, is a lie by implication. The fact is, this isn't a story about "invasion"--unless a story about a serial killer is a story about war. * What it is, in all probability, is one of the strangest stories you will ever read. It's about the search for protection, safety, and security in a world out of control. Two worlds, actually, each representing a side in St. Clair's perception of the world (or the U.S.) in 1969: the hippies (where else?) underground and the Man (oppressive government) on the surface. Others have said that the story falters in the second half, the half spent above ground. Certainly it does if all St. Clair is interested in is the strangeness of Underearth and the creatures who populate it. But she's after something else, something more. And to her credit, she goes for it, blasting both sides with equal venom. * I mention this only because I think it's worthwhile to stick with the book to the end, and because it's easy not to. What sells the book to the genre fan (and this story contains elements of fantasy, horror, the occult, and even science fiction) is Underearth. Fortunately, this, all by itself, makes the book worthwhile. Yes, it's that weird. But if that's all you're in for, then you'll be left unsatisfied. (Although, in a shadowy, dystopian sort of way, the first half is really a story unto itself, about a guy who's life suddenly spins out of control, gets worse before it gets better, then ultimately spins out of control again.) * Art lie: The cover art has nothing whatsoever to do with the story. Yes, a sword figures in the plot and, yes, it is called "Merlin's sword." But any resemblance to the kind of sword and sorcery conjured up by the artwork is just that superficial. Clearly, given the fact that almost nothing on the covers of this book is true, the publishers (Dell) had little faith in it selling on its own merits. Make of that what you will, but I think it's a shame. For those who enjoy dark fantasy and the occult, I think reading "The Shadow People" is time well spent.

2022-10-29 03:54