FDA approved "magic potion served in the skull of a goblin"?

In chapter 24 of Much Ado About Corona, AJ describes Dungeons and Dragons as "magic potion served in the skull of a goblin." (I wonder if it can get FDA approval?)

Of course, not everyone shares his adoration for the classic role-playing game.

In my last post, I asked readers to email in how much they loved (or hated) those Dungeons and Dragons chapters in Much Ado About Corona.

Turned out more people liked them than I suspected. The average rating is 7.83 out of 10. (Of course, those who despised that fantasy segue in the novel may have been too polite to respond.)

A subscriber who gave it 6 out of 10 said: "I knew some people would love the inclusion of a game they were familiar with. I did like the idea of people gathering for any reason when their overlords told them not to."

Whilst a bold subscriber gave it 8.5, saying: "I recall being a little wary of the D and D chapters initially, wondering if it was a good idea to work into the novel... However, after reading those chapters and rereading them, they really grew on me; I also think they were successful in terms of comic relief and character interaction/development. I can't imagine the book without them at this point."

I knew nothing about the game until I started researching those chapters. My appreciation grew quickly, which is reflected in Roger Gygax's defence, when he explains why he kept the dice rolling in the basement of his comic book shop, during lockdown:

“Vince, these role-playing games, they aren’t just for fun, you gotta understand. They teach math, logic, problem-solving, critical thinking, risk assessment. Kids work together as a team. They get to see the consequences of their actions play out in a safe way. They learn how to discern right from wrong.” Then he pulled back his Spiderman mask, revealing his wrinkled face. “They learn how to be a hero without needing any superpowers.”

I hope Much Ado About Corona reflected some of DnD's heroism and magic. If nothing else, the "Dungeon Before COVID" chapters took the edge off an otherwise traumatic story of oppression masquerading as public health.

If you haven't laughed, gasped and stayed up late reading the world's best-selling novel about the COVID scamdemic, you can get a copy here.

John C.A. Manley

P.S. There's another reason I was so keen on adding the Dungeons n' Dragons chapters — and it makes my blood boil like a dragon's tail in a witch's cauldron. Coming next post.

P.P.S. If you missed it, here's my previous post about the "Dungeon Before COVID" chapters: Four kids almost caught playing Dungeons n' Dragons "illegally" during lockdown

John C. A. Manley is the author of Much Ado About Corona, All The Humans Are Sleeping and other works of philosophical fiction that are "so completely engaging that you find yourself alternately laughing, gasping, hanging on for dear life." Get free samples of his stories by becoming a Blazing Pine Cone email subscriber.