Quantum Musings | ||||||||
Michael Gallant, Raymond M. Coulombe and Timothy O. Goyette | ||||||||
Writers Club Press, 187 pages | ||||||||
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A review by Lisa DuMond
Gallant, Coulombe, and Goyette are the minds behind the monthly web-zine
Quantum Muse, a particular
favourite among internet denizens. This is the hip side of science fiction, fantasy, and alternative
fiction -- a judgement that is borne out by Rebecca Kemp's sassy portrait of their Muse that graces the
site and the cover of the collection. One look at that tongue-in-cheek graphic and you know in an instant
that you are not setting out on your standard genre venture.
That's putting it mildly.
Take a look at Michael Gallant's offerings. "God Picks Up the Tab." Come to think of it, I'd say that title
speaks for itself as well as Gallant's slightly twisted sense of humour does. The dry wit and fatalistic
attitude of the narrator makes "Staring at Bruno, Waiting to Die" far more poignant than a quick synopsis
could possibly convey. The story stands out as one of the most impressive selections in the
book. "Alternative" tales would appear to be Gallant's true calling, outshining even his science
fiction and fantasy in Quantum Musings.
Now, Raymond M. Coloumbe has a decidedly wicked and skewed way of looking at the world. What he sees is not like
Gallant's view, or Goyette's, or yours, or mine. What it does seem most similar to is the way life
actually is, if we had the guts to really examine it and see the truth for ourselves.
Who really wants to dig deeper into something like "Government Myths"? If you're not going to appreciate
the answer, Coloumbe points out, maybe you shouldn't ask the question. If "Death in Haiti" leaves
you with one less thing to blame for your troubles, maybe you shouldn't venture there.
In the science fiction portion of Quantum Musings, Timothy O. Goyette's "The Swami of Time" is the
showpiece. The interplay between the relatively human hero and the much more likeable squib is a
priceless glimpse of the "odd couples" possible when we finally meet up with someone or something
completely unlike ourselves. "Human Factors" takes an unflinching look at our all-too human
characteristics. Only "The Wishmaker's Magic Box" hints that there might be some of us worth the trouble of saving.
Three different authors with their own styles and outlooks, but the joining is almost
seamless. Like their quirky Muse, none of them takes life too seriously, or dismisses it too
lightly. The combination makes for a captivating read and a thought-provoking
after-read. Not to mention just barely whetting your appetite for more of the same...
In between reviews, articles, and interviews, Lisa DuMond writes science fiction and humour. DARKERS, her latest novel, was published in August 2000 by Hard Shell Word Factory. She has also written for BOOKPAGE and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY. Her articles and short stories are all over the map. You can check out Lisa and her work at her website hikeeba!. |
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