The Word of God: Or, Holy Writ Rewritten [Paperback]

It's strangely edifying, being lectured about the idiocies of religion by God himself, but that's pretty much what happens in Tom Disch's last (sadly, really last) book. It meanders, it dispenses with plot per se, but it bristles with perverse little pockets of delight. When I was packed off to Vacation Bible School as a kid, I might have kept going longer (instead of walking away with a taste of vomit in my mouth) if I had heard from a God who would tell you (e.g.) to go get laid. At least I might have stayed around till I discovered independent thought. This is a fun read, well worth the price of admission. And (hallelujah) probably nobody will ever get beheaded or stoned to death over THIS particular Holy Writ!

I started reading this book, Disch's final work, just before Christmas (2009.) When I learned of the circumstances--that he committed suicide just three days after publishing it--I could not finish it. It gave me the creeps, willies and heebie-jeebies (all at once!)
I only started reading this book because I heard Disch lambasted my guy, Philip K. Dick in it. As it turns out, most of the those pieces, like "Ranch House on the Styx" were written long ago. The Word of God is not a novel, it's a collection of old stories, poems and essays "re-writ, like the Writ."

Even without knowing Disch killed himself, it's painfully obvious how depressed he was. Fans confirm many known problems he faced back in 2008: loss of his long-time companion, severe financial difficulties and he was not receiving the critical acclaim he wanted for his various works. A blog I found (sorry, can't remember which one) said Disch explored "the desolateness of the human condition because that's what obsessed him--what drove him." And, his own publisher said Disch was "too deep and dark" for SF fans." Publisher Jacob Weisman really nailed the problem with this comment: "When mainstream critics assess science fiction, in their own minds they're slumming," Jacob said. "They're looking for those raw, powerful ideas that people in science fiction might be working with--" and now I'm going to finish this quote as I see it: but they don't like finding it in the SF realm. That's the truth and why the movie Avatar ultimately could not win the 2009 Academy Award, also.

You see, it's now March 2010, and I finally finished the book, which reads more like a Last Testament than the Holy Writ. Egads, it's still extremely hard to read, even months later knowing the facts. Clearly, Disch was conflicted about his love and admiration for Phil. While his own career was desolate he watched PKD sky-rocket to posthumous fame. Perhaps Disch thought he could do that for his own career by blowing his head off. (Phil did not OD or kill himself, he died of a stroke and subsequent heart attack.)

Knowing the extent of Disch's despair - the act of taking his own life - I find this book morbid, like watching a TV anchor person off themselves on live television. He should have been getting some help and encouragement from his fan base and publishers. Instead he was getting more bad reviews (as evidenced here by negative comments posted even before the novel was officially published*) Bad reviews combined with an embarrassing radio/podcast interview that aired just before he took his life, might have pushed him over the edge. Just be forewarned should you buy and attempt to read this--someone's personal hell (not sci-fi or satire.)

* The Word of God was published July 1, 2008, by Tachyon Publications. Yet, a negative review was posted in June 2008 (by someone who had an advance copy. Tragic!) BTW, Philip K Dick was not a right-wing nut. He was so far left he fell off that side! He was accused of being a "commie" in the 50s and a fruit-cake in the 70s, but never a "right-wing bigot" as another blogger/reviewer called Phil. No!

What an odd, sad, clever and funny book this is. It begins with the boring shooting fish in a barrel activity of satirizing organized religion combined with equally trivial autobiographical details.

Finally a ray of light gleams and a short story appears in the text. Then back to more triviality that grows more sadly interesting as the maudlin discussions of death of a man who would not so long after this book was written kill himself.

Occasional short stories continue to gleam forth like lights in the fog until all of the sudden they all link up into a cohesive whole that is both wickedly funny as the best of Thomas Disch is as well as interestingly insider gossipy as they concern a fellow SF writer. They are also examples of pathetic jealousy Disch has towards this more successful author and such brilliant pieces of character assassination that they shine light on Disch's own self loathing.

Along the way we discover both fascinating facts in a brilliant and hilarious riff on another author's work mixed with fascinating and yet pathetic self aggrandizement by Disch reminiscent at times of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

There to see as well are Disch's own misanthropist and illogical beliefs about a variety of topics that defeat some of the invincibility of the satirist's usual position.

A fascinating and complex work with moments of awesomeness amidst much dreck. At least it's easier to read than the European intellectuals Disch so admires.

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