The stories we tell are not limited to monsters and harsh otherworlds. Yet the fiction books in the Borealis imprint certainly belong to a world ot...
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reviews
May 15, 2008
Achieves moments of sublime surreality with the premise of a children's fantasy book affecting real life, escaped mental patients, and moments of morbid humor. There were moments where I was swept into the mad logic of the story, and then there were moments where the story dragged and meandered. The dialogue came across as stiff in some places.
I think one of my problems is that the story ends up centering on Harry, the author who couldn't get over the death of his daughter, but Harr More...
I think one of my problems is that the story ends up centering on Harry, the author who couldn't get over the death of his daughter, but Harr More...
Dec 05, 2011
Ensiform
rated it: 
A bizarre and frightening dark fantasy, startlingly original and unpredictable. The book that a children's author wrote after his daughter drowned becomes real as his life intertwines with mental patients who have been gives a drug with ESP effects. And it goes on from there. Written in a fast-paced, economical style, it is equal parts modern paranoia and resignation, satire, and moral lesson. I was pleasantly surprised with the happy ending: life, as the author, Harry, learns, must go on.
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Nov 21, 2007
Bill
rated it:
Author Harry Gainsborough, institutionalized at the Harwood Psychiatric Institute after the death of his young daughter, writes "Zod Wallop," a children's book to end all children's books--a sad, bitter work full of evil and death, ending with the destruction of the world. Although Harry later recovers (sort of) and revises the original into something cheery and marketable, he becomes aware that he has a strange psychic bond with four patients who have escaped from Harwood, and that--
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Feb 03, 2012
K.
rated it:
This was such a playful book. I must say that I didn't feel like the end chapter was the greatest of endings, but the constant play of science fiction, fantasy, and children's story mixed with a mourning novel was something rare and refreshing. I would read this author again I think.
Feb 04, 2008
Bill
rated it:
Zod Wallop was recommended to me by a vistor to my site, and thanks.
This was very enjoyable, with the type of bizarre plot I usually look for.
Harry Gainesborough is a writer of children's novels, on par with today's Harry Potter phenomenon. As he struggles to cope with the death of his daughter and separation from his wife, he is visited by a band of escaped lunatics from an asylum, living his latest novel.
Then it gets weird.
Zod Wallop is surreal, heartb More...
This was very enjoyable, with the type of bizarre plot I usually look for.
Harry Gainesborough is a writer of children's novels, on par with today's Harry Potter phenomenon. As he struggles to cope with the death of his daughter and separation from his wife, he is visited by a band of escaped lunatics from an asylum, living his latest novel.
Then it gets weird.
Zod Wallop is surreal, heartb More...
Sep 22, 2011
Steve
rated it:
if you lost a loved one, this is an inspirational book. if you havent lost a loved one and you are a fan of a good story and a better imagination, this book is for you.
Apr 16, 2011
Steve
rated it: 
Not as enjoyable as I had hoped, but definitely imaginative. Story of a children's book writer who starts to see events from his books occur in real life.
Mar 25, 2011
Karly
rated it:
Creative and terrifying beyond measure.
Populated with memorable and distinct characters, this is a book that will stay with you forever.
Populated with memorable and distinct characters, this is a book that will stay with you forever.
Aug 01, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
This book is incredibly dark, confusing, and monstrously captivating. Read it - it will be worth your time. I can't wait to read more of his stuff.
Apr 07, 2010
Kariss
rated it:
Wow.... another excellent example of mind wanderings that I have meandered before ... Such a good mind bend.
May 07, 2009
Doug
rated it:
Loses some steam in the final third, but still very worthy, and with an inspired concept behind it.
Dec 28, 2008
Steve
rated it: 
This is one of my favorite books. The story is about a children's book author had gone through severe depression following the death of his only child. While institutionalized he wrote 2 versions of his latest children's book Zod Wallop. The published version had a happy ending as any children's story should. The earlier unpublished version was written during the worst of his depression and features the end of world. The only problem is his dark fantasy world is becoming real and the only on
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Dec 17, 2009
Peggy
rated it:
Fans of Jonathan Carroll should really do their best to track this one down. Echoes of Carroll’s style abound, but this book is pure Bill Spencer. It came out before Gaiman, Carroll and DeLint got popular and sank without a trace despite nominations for numerous awards. I like all of Spencer’s stuff, but this one really deserves more attention.
Feb 05, 2012
Sam
rated it:
This is a book with a strange plot that is sometimes difficult to follow (which, I think, is part of the point since it deals with grief, mental illness, and hallucination). The story is poignant and fantastical, with many surprises along the way, culminating in an intense and hopeful ending.
Dec 29, 2008
Laura
rated it:
Clearly an enjoyable read, bit of a dark fantasy. With every page you think you totally grasp the plot, then the truth goes changing again with no discrimination between what is and isn't real.
Kinda remnents of Alice in wonderland, but a bit darker and a bit more realistic.
Kinda remnents of Alice in wonderland, but a bit darker and a bit more realistic.
Oct 20, 2008
Matthews
rated it:
Very interesting, I haven't read anything like this in a long time. When I see people who are McPalin supporters I kind of feel like I'm in an alternate universe as well so I kind of know how Harry must feel......to all my republican friends and family .....LOVE YA!!
Mar 24, 2008
Havenisle
rated it:
This book was a whirlwind of emotions. I loved the twists and turns and how it continually stripped itself down to reality amidst the chaos that it's protagonist found himself in. It's like going mad and finding a pathway to a different sanity that the one you lost.
Jun 18, 2007
Elizabeth
rated it:
If you have not read this and been converted, you must add it to your list! I love this book! This is one of the best books ever written. I, too, fear the moment when the Vile Contenders will clash at the Ocean of Responsibility.
Sep 10, 2008
Cathysanders
rated it:
Oh my. This is probably my favorite book. Not a lot of people have read it, and I only got it randomly to read from a stranger. Really good and fast read. Please find this book and read it.
Feb 10, 2008
Megan
rated it:
I don't usually like fantasy, but this was a fun book, and left me with a bit to chew on. For non-fantasy types, I recommend it because it made me be a little less of a washing judgemental.
Jan 16, 2011
H.N.
rated it:
Clumsy. A terrific surreal opening scene, but after that it was hard to engage. Maybe I am so used to weird that this kind of weird seems run-of-the-mill to me now.
Jun 21, 2009
Kathy
rated it:
I had mixed feeling about this book. When I heard someone say, "and that's why they don't let adults into wonderland," it somehow made the whole thing better.
Dec 16, 2009
Aleta
rated it:
I kept saying' "huh, what, did I miss something and why" but I loved the book anyway. It scares me a little.
Jan 27, 2012
Jan 23, 2012
