The third person narritive style can make it a slow read, but the situations the main character gets into keeps you reading. ( )

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 ( )

When I read the back-of-book blurb I thought, "Bunnies and plane crashes--what is this, Donnie Darko: The Book?" Well, if Donnie Darko, Fringe, and X-Files had a literary love child with all of their humorous genes dominant in the DNA, it would read like Crash Gordon. I mean this as a compliment.

What I'm saying is, if you like a good conspiracy theory, or a good story of teen angst, you'll like this book. (And that would be any and all conspiracy theories--I'm pretty sure all of them are hit upon at one time or another in this book, in somewhat more detail than I cared for, but I still enjoyed myself immensely.) Actually, so much attention is paid to explicating the various conspiracies that it's a wonder the characters don't get short shrift; for the most part, they don't, but sometimes I wished for less explanation and more story.

I was afraid I'd feel cheated when I realized that the final 125 or so pages of the book would be dedicated to such theory-expounding--what would happen to our hero and his friends? Surprisingly, the emotional pay-off was worthwhile, and didn't seem hideously tacked-on just to satisfy whiners like myself. Whenever a book is over 600 pages, though, I always feel like it's scrimping to just end things so suddenly and unsatisfyingly--what, after that long, you think we won't stay with you? You can't give us, you're faithful readers, a little more time?

I heartily recommend Crash Gordon--it's quite fun, totally absorbing, and probably even better if you've ever been an adolescent boy. Having read it, I can now channel a paranoid adolescent boyhood ca. early-1980s suburbia. Oh, wait...I knew some of those kids... ( )

Daring, funny, and filled with strange facts about the medico-military-occult complex, Crash Gordon and the Mysteries of Kingsburg is a paranoid comedy that's seriously concerned with the fate of humanity. ( )