Szmonhfu

By Hertzan Chimera
Eraser Head Press 0-9713572-4-2
Trade
$16.95

It took Hertzan Chimera 13 years to write the novel "Szmonhfu." It took me 13 years to read "Szmonhfu." And like 13 years of my life, "Szmonhfu" has many ups and downs, good times and bad times. Kind of like that Dickens novel.

In all seriousness, it did take me a while to read this 100, 000 word novel disguised as a surreal painting. Why? It is rich with disturbing and bizarre images, and thick with plot and character. Plus, there is not a stitch of dialogue (which in my opinion moves a book along fast); think Hubert Selby.

What is "Szmonhfu" about?

I'm not completely sure, I may have to read it a few more times, but I was able to pick out a basic plot. There is this mysterious woman named Jane who is man-made by scientists (I think) and whenever she gets excited or aroused, her body explodes into something grotesque and unhuman. Jane starts lost and then discovers who, what, and why she is: Jane is part of a plot to stop an alien power from taking over the world (I think).

"Szmonhfu" never goes where you expect it to go. It bounces around from country to country, character to character, plot to plot, and genre to genre. But Jane always manages to be the core of the book, even if she has to change her last name from time to time.

The writing style is clinically cold. Chimera never really gets under his character's skins, expressing little emotion or deep reacting to their bizarre surroundings. But then again, if a character ever did act the way we wanted them to then there would be no story in anything.

"Szmonhfu" is not for everyone, sadly. It is visually complex adventure filled with sex, violence, humor, metaphor, gore, science, and philosophy…pretty much the kitchen sink.

The weak minded need not apply.

Hertzan Chimera

Review by Mike Purfield


Critical Raves for Mike Purfield's "Dirty Boots."

"If you're looking for a good read, something you've never experienced before, then this is the book for you." Paul Kane of Terror Tales.

Rated 3 out of 4 by Unhinged Magazine.

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