The Snake Oil Wars or Scheherazade Ginsberg Strikes Again

Barion & Coyul #2

by Parke Godwin

Coyul--one of two superior beings that created the Earth--finds himself besieged, with his authority and authenticity questioned and even an attempt made on his life

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Humor, Speculative Fiction, Comedy

212 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1989

About the author

Parke Godwin was an American writer known for his lyrical yet precise prose style and sardonic humor. He was also known for his novels of legendary figures placed in realistic historical settings; his retelling of the Arthur legend (Firelord in 1980, Beloved Exile in 1984, and The Last Rainbow in 1985) is set in the 5th century during the collapse of the Roman empire, and his reinterpretation of Robin Hood (Sherwood, 1991, and Robin and the King, 1993) takes place during the Norman conquest and features kings William the Conqueror and William Rufus as major characters. His other well-known works include Waiting For The Galactic Bus (1988) and its sequel The Snake Oil Wars (1989), humorous critiques of American pop culture and religion.

Parke Godwin also worked as a radio operator, a research technician, a professional actor, an advertising man, a dishwasher and a maitre d' hotel.

Godwin's short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. His short story "Influencing the Hell out of Time and Teresa Golowitz," was the basis of an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.

Reviews

[Terence]

The decidedly disappointing sequel to Waiting for the Galactic Bus. It probably would have been better (from a reader's if not a publisher's point of view) to have wrapped up the loose ends with an additional 100 pages or so of story in the first book.

[Enrique]

a funny book about fundamentalism and nationalism.

[Renae]

Hilarious, irreverent, totally entertaining.

[Amoose Bush]

The novel felt like an extended episode of the WB Saturday morning cartoon Histeria! Though it felt forced most of the time, making it a chore to read compared to the previous book in the series.

[Nathan Dehoff]

The follow-up to Waiting for the Galactic Bus has Coyul taking over Topside after Barion is banished, and dealing with another bigoted American fundamentalist. Godwin tries to make Lance Candor his own character, and he's not the racist Roy Stride was, but it still feels like a bit of a rehash. A trial ensues after Lance bombs Coyul's office, with Marcus Aurelius serving as judge and two unidentified historical figures as lawyers. While Godwin drops hints about who the attorneys are, I actually had to look it up afterwards. Kind of odd considering that Judas' identity is spelled out in the first book despite being obvious. I did recognize another person not specifically identified by name, L. Ron Hubbard reincarnated as an answering machine. Other new characters include Coyul's old girlfriend Purji (who had been playing fertility goddess on another planet), Lance's shrewish and sex-hating wife Letti, and flaky hippie revolutionary Scheherazade Ginsberg. The general assessment is that this isn't as good as the first book, but I did appreciate seeing the characters again.

[Tara]

Man but I don't even know where to go on this.

Coyle, the alien brother of Barion and who has been taking care of the area known as "Below Stairs", has been given the monumental task on bringing humans to more rational thinking. Humans, mostly fundamentalists, don't care much for that and try to blow him up.

Seeing as how everyone is a body of energy, it is rather less than effective.

Coyle, joined by an old flame of his own species, is now taking his attacker to court in a civil case to prove once and for all that he isn't the devil.

The book is witty, interesting, and is very quick to point out flaws in racism and prejudice. Honestly I'd not mind seeing this and the first book as required High School reading as I feel like they'd make a good impression while minds are impressionable.

[Todd Williams]

Not nearly as good as Galactic Bus, but solid. Maybe a little heavy handed at times.

[Robert Hudder]

The second book. A little more dated than the first as it deals with the Satan is dead version of Nietzsche by way of a trial. Bakker's are referenced and a tart is used as a plot twist. The writer is better than that but wanted to make a point about religious people that I feel is a little mean and only nominally true.

Writing is crisp and the philosophy in trial is witty, funny and apt. Makes me want to check out other books by the author but my list, my list, my list...

[Jimbo]

this , although written very well, wasn't near as good as the first book (waiting for the galactic bus). it seemed like the auther had an anti-religion undertone, that was more important to express than the actuall storyline. i dont recommend it, unless your just completely bored and it is the only book around.

[Sal]

Better writing, more biting satire & an interesting conclusion, compared to the first book. However, there's less plot & characters, with few carrying over from the first book. Would this duology have worked as one big book? Tempting to presume so, but I think the publisher made a good call splitting this tale into two short novels.

[Kris]

The first one was much better...this sequel didn't work for me at ALL.

[Miriam]

Crazy, but enjoyable.

[Brina]

Only about halfway through this slender book. Not quite as rollicking as the first, but still very amusing so far.

[Margarette]

Great book the ending is a bit sad, but always witty and amusing

[Elton Nesselrodt]

A great book that gives a unique look into the mindset of how religion is viewed even in the after life.

[Howard]

2

[Edward Sheehan]

Now an afterlife Court case, with a mystery president defending the devil.

[Just Josh]

Not as good as the first, but still worth the read.

[Dan]

Wasn't as good as the first, but it was entertaining, as its setting was dependent upon the first book.