The Astrological Diary of God - Softcover

Fowler, Bo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1582341184 ISBN 13: 9781582341187

Publisher: Bloomsbury Pub Plc USA, 2001

Synopsis

A masterpiece of religious parody in the tradition of Kurt Vonnegut.

Japs Eye Fontanelle, an 88-year-old overweight, retired Japanese kamikaze pilot, insists that he is the rightful king of the Holy Channel Island of Jersey. He also claims to be the Creator of the Universe. This is his autobiography, written while under armed guard inside the gold vault at Fort Knox. Fontanelle recounts his truly remarkable life: from his birth in the city of Kyoto and his involvement in World War II, to his study of the ancient science of astrology, the historic discovery of his own divinity, and the founding of the first Astrological Kingdom on Earth. Occasionally, when he isn't busy creating galaxies, he takes a break to watch "Star Trek".

Structured in twelve meticulously-researched, hilariously funny zodiacal chapters-and padded with photo inserts revealing such delights as God returning from his ninth suicide mission, Shinto monks, and God's genitals- The Astrological Diary of God is a savage and irreverent take on modern belief.

About this title

Review:

A review should summarise and evaluate: give the potential reader a sense of what the book is about and whether it is any good. The Astrological Diary of God baffles both these modest aims. To say that it is about an enormously overweight Japanese ex- Kamikaze fighter pilot who believes himself to be the Supreme Being and who has founded a new religion based on astrology--a character who is kept under lock and key by the American Government in Fort Knox and put on trial for the "murder of time"--to say this does not convey one tenth of the riches of this hilarious, philosophical and deeply strange book. Evaluation is difficult too: for stretches Fowler does achieve something of the superb brain-burned intensity of his mentor, Kurt Vonnegut (and in particular Vonnegut's brilliant Breakfast of Champions which this novel most closely resembles). Just as often, though, the mixture of spaced-out prose, astrological diagrams, drawings and photographs (including a striking picture of the genitalia of God, a picture which turns out to be something else by the end) can leave the reader not quite knowing how to react. This novel is challenging, strange, funny and extremely readable. Fiction doesn't come much hipper. --Adam Roberts

Review:

"If you're partial to Vonnegut, you'll enjoy Fowler." - "Time Out"

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Pub Plc USA
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1582341184
• ISBN 13: 9781582341187
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 295