What Were Once Miracles Are Now Children's Toys by Ira Nayman
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Time Taken To Read - Around a month, dipping in and out of it
Blurb From Goodreads
Without
fear, favour or the faintest connection to a universe that makes sense,
Alternate Reality News Service reporters strive to bring you the most
interesting, informative or least expensive news from the multiverse.
This new collection of science fiction journalism includes news articles
about: -a world in which the best way to cure cancer may be to
negotiate with individual diseased cells; -a project to collect, rebuild
and reanimate the atoms that made up Albert Einstein's body (so far,
they have most of his ankle ); -China avoiding a war with the United
States (without firing a shot) by repossessing the American military in
payment of the country's debt; -a woman suing General Motors for
palimony, claiming that the corporation, legally a person, was the
father of her child. This volume also contains a seven-part
behind-the-scenes look at the Alternate Reality News Service called "The
Weight of Information." What Were Once Miracles Are Now Children's
Toys: because, now, more than ever, if you don't like this reality,
choose another one Praise for the previous Alternate Reality News
Service book, Alternate Reality Ain't What It Used To Be "T]his is a
great little volume to leave lying in the bathroom. Or on the coffee
table. Anywhere people might pick it up to leaf through. And if you do,
you won't be able to stop at just one entry." - Charles de Lint, Books
To Look For, Fantasy and Science Fiction "Thanks for the terrific book I
love it." - Andrei Codrescu, author of The Posthuman Dada Guide: Tzara
and Lenin Play Chess Ira Nayman has written radio plays, film and
television scripts, produced a short film and is the creator of the
offbeat humor website Les Pages aux Folles. Mr. Nayman received his M.A.
in Media Studies from the New School for Social Research and his Ph.D.
in Communications from McGill University. He grew up in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. When he is not being funny all over the place, Mr.
Nayman teaches New Media at Ryerson University. Publisher's website: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/WhatWereOnceMiraclesAreNowChild...
My Review
I
have been on this book for the best part of a month, dipping in and out
of it as I couldn't read it continuously. The book consists of one
chapter dealing with the head office at the alternate news headquarters
and alternates between that and a chapter of random newspaper articles.
Their is no introduction, you are just thrown right into the
story(s) - the newspaper articles you don't need to have read any of the
others as they are unconnected (from what I remember). The
headquarters does have a few characters that you get to know briefly
along the way but there is no real story.
It is a tongue in cheek
book with silliness pretty much being the theme which will strike a
cord with a lot of people but it just wasn't for me. I just couldn't
get into it. I like to know how things came to be and what the point to
it is - you don't get this with this book. I am sure it will be popular
with readers who like randomness and silliness but I personally need
some kind of context in my books. Sadly there was nothing I liked about
this book at all so can only give it a 1/5 rating. Thanks to the
author for giving me the chance to try and review his work.