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!

I pre-ordered this book based on the description. Thomas Disch nominating himself to be God sounds like fun. But the book itself was rather disappointing. it is Disch rambling on about religion and belief structures, which has its own merits, but it isn't really about how Disch would handle the job of Deity. If you like Disch's essays and more philosophical elements, this is worth reading, but it's not really what it's being described and sold as.

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