Member: DerekSwannson

Yes! Your review of his book was a riot... or shall I say, appropriately deferent to the towering GENIUS of Pinchbeck.

posted by ashleybessbrown at 4:17 pm (EST) on Aug 21, 2009

Thanks for the compliment on my reviews. Its nice to know that people are actually reading them. I do wish Amazon would allow edits, however, as some of my reviews from ten years ago are a bit embarrassing. I'm especially glad that my review turned you onto Dorsey. I only hope you enjoy him as much as I do.

I am actually not a huge sci-fi fan, although I tend to gravitate towards authors that impress me. PKD made that list when an old girlfriend forced me to read A Time out of Joint, and I go back to his works every now and then because of it. The only reason I gave Valis four stars and not fives is that even though the personal autobiographical account of spiritual journeys are evident in a great deal of my favorite sci-fi works (I have been a devotee of Robert Anton Wilson since my early teens), I do think that occasionally it can weigh down a novel a bit, as was my case with Valis.

I apologize for the delay in reviews Crash, but as intriguing as it looks, I want to make sure I can devote some proper time to reading it thoroughly.

posted by reverends at 10:19 am (EST) on Jul 21, 2009

"The change we are looking for is always a change within ourselves. And the change will come. I've noticed that as long as I'm willing to be different, something or someone arrives to show me how."

~ Marianne Williamson

posted by theoldman at 9:16 am (EST) on Jul 8, 2009

Derek,
Yes, I’ve always been partial to water. Floods and storms run in the family! (I know that’s a bad pun – forgive me. Sometimes I can’t help myself.) Some day remind me to tell you about the boat that got lost in the Kosciusko Park Lagoon. My daughter (also a 7 year old BTW) and I got home safe if not quite a bit soggy. A tornado touched down nearby but we made it through okay.
I certainly understand how life can interfere with e-mailing and writing. My wife and I both work for a Fortune 500 Company. She is an I/T Manager and I am an Account Manager. I know how gaps between communications can happen and have come to expect them. I didn’t think twice about it. (But I secretly hoped you’d write back!)
You may certainly use my review on the official website. I’d be honored! And, you are correct, the apostrophe in “Templars” was a typo or a slip (not sure which). In any event, feel free to correct and post it to your site. I remember that it took me ages to get that sentence right but now that you point it out I like it even more.
As for poetry… I have kept journals of poetry since the late 70’s but outside a few published poems in newspapers and chapbooks I’ve never been published. Can you say catharticsism? If I ever do happen to write A Fistful of Night Soil you’ll be the first to know.

By the way, my favorite Nietzsche quote is this one:
“A good writer possesses not only his own spirit but also the spirit of his friends.”
I couldn’t agree more!
Thanks for keeping in contact and do write back any time you can spare a moment.

Bill

P.S. It's a shame Howard Devoto never wrote back. That would have been cool!

posted by TheAlternativeOne at 5:45 pm (EST) on Jun 23, 2009

Derek,

To overuse an old baseball adage "I calls 'em like I sees 'em!"

To be honest, there were certain elements of your book that were so curiously familiar that I was immediately drawn into the world of Crash and Company. And I can’t remember how many times I laughed out loud at the antics of your characters but it was a lot. My wife gave me plenty of side-long glances while I was reading your novel.

When Hideous was going over his play list of songs early in the book I had a strange feeling that you were actually thumbing through my album collection from the late 70’s and early 80’s. It was eerie but comforting and I’m certain there are millions of people that listen(ed) to that same music but for some reason it struck me personally.

Also, when I first read the “Illuminatus! Trilogy” in 1977 I was struck by the power of how intelligent, humorous and quirky a story can be which, I think, is exactly what you’ve created. I remember those stories to this day as being so very much fun to read. Your’s is a story that I’ll remember in another 30 years (unless of course senility or Alzheimer’s gets me first.)

When I was a kid my dad used to store foam cups full of hellgrammites in our refrigerator in the kitchen. They were his favorite bait for fishing in the trout streams of northern Wisconsin. Damn ugly creatures, by the way, but effective! Of course, your mention of this insect was exactly one sentence long but it tells you the depth of your structure and phrasing and my nostalgia.

So, there you go! Just a very few of the many reasons my review is what it is. Thanks again for writing “Crash Gordon” and for taking the time to respond to my message. I certainly hope to see more of your work in the immediate future.

Thanks,

Bill.

posted by TheAlternativeOne at 12:25 pm (EST) on Jun 19, 2009

Derek,

Good afternoon! I just wanted to drop you a short note to let you know that I've posted the following review to LibraryThing.com, Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobels.com today. I absolutely loved your work and look forward to reading the next installment of Crash Gordon. Keep up the great work!

Bill.

Crash Gordon and the Mysteries of Kingsburg
Derek Swannson
Three Graces Press
2007
616 Pages

If I had to describe this book in two words I’d have to say… Absolutely brilliant!!

Fortunately, I’m not bound nor inclined to short descriptions.

“Crash Gordon and the Mysteries of Kingsburg” is a uniquely engrossing and entertaining read from the first page to the very last word. In the opening scene we meet our hero, the reincarnated, polymath infant Gordon, who guides us through a fantastic journey of mysticism, intrigue, and conspiracy as he strives toward manhood.

With an incredibly intelligent plot, elegant and gripping phrasing, versant nostalgia and a sprinkling of comedy Swannson proves that he has a unique and distinctive voice. This odd but entertaining novel contains familiar elements of Shea and Wilson’s “Illuminatus! Trilogy,” Kerouac’s “On the Road,” Wolfe’s “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” and the entire catalog of Hunter S. Thompson. I was wholly entertained by every one of the six-hundred plus pages of this epic coming of age story. Swannson allows us to be our almost forgotten adolescent selves again while we tag along with Gordon and friends on their strange journey into adulthood.

If you like smart, literate, and humorous Conspiracy Theories about secret societies, alien manipulation, Freemasonry, narcolepsy, Templar’s and the occasional psychedelic acid trip (and who doesn’t?) then this book is for you! In my estimation, Derek Swannson has created a true masterpiece that will stand the test of time. He weaves intricately patterned characters and scenes with great skill and while the novel is a trifle lengthy there is not a single wasted or misplaced word.

Being of a certain age I identified completely with the pop-culture, drug-related, Rock ‘n Roll references, socio-political movements, and historical moments identified in the book. I have to admit that I couldn’t help but laugh at the adolescent banter, insults and jokes between Crash and his friends. And the nostalgia… ah… Farrell’s Ice Cream Shop and the infamous Pig Trough, Speedos, Quadraphonic stereos, camping, and hellgrammites for fishing. Swannson may have channeled every teenage boy I ever knew.

I’m told that the sequel, “Crash Gordon and the Revelations From Big Sur” is forthcoming. I, for one, can’t wait! Do your self a favor and purchase Swannson’s “Crash Gordon and the Mysteries of Kingsburg” and his other previously published novel “Nitt-Witt Ridge.” You certainly won’t be disappointed.

Rating: (The very rare) Six out of Five Stars

The Alternative
Southeast Wisconsin

posted by TheAlternativeOne at 4:38 pm (EST) on Jun 18, 2009