Geek Syndicate
BOOK REVIEW - The House Of Rumour
is as uncertain as the future. Just where does truth end and illusion begin? THE HOUSE OF RUMOUR is a novel of soaring ambition, a mind-expanding journey through the ideas that have put man on the moon yet brought us to the brink of self-destruction. What will you believe? toying with iconic writers in one of the plot strands and a UFO cult in another. Present day references like ‘Multiversal Studios’ indicate that it could be set in a parallel universe (though in reality it’s probably just a rights issue.) There’s spy stuff, sadomasochism and poignant love. The historical research and “whatif” scenarios give it a secrethistory vibe, with drug culture and pseudo-magical elements adding to the appeal for readers who like to peek behind the curtains of accepted Truth. The style is Literary, but it has a wild ragged edge which thrills as it slashes through your expectations. The central mystery is why, in 1941, Rudolph Hess climbed into an aeroplane and flew himself to Scotland, only to be immediately captured and imprisoned. The House Of Rumour is a private name for the secret service - which may (or may not) have manipulated events to pull off this WWII coup - but it is also a metaphor for the book itself, which in many ways feels like a collection of whispered tales: full of import and vital meaning, yet half heard and easily confused. A host of characters orbit the mystery, either as participants, observers or victims. None are wholly reliable, but all come across vividly. They are flawed, credulous, manipulative and often tragic beings, but they share a verisimilitude which I found refreshing. The conceit is that Larry Zagorski has come into possession of a Spymaster’s per-
The Review:
If Dirk Gently stopped mucking about with gods and aliens, he’d have a field day with this one. What connects Ian Fleming, Aleister Crowley, the Jonestown massacre, Rocket Science, Rudolph Hess, Ovid, the New Romantics, L Ron Hubbard and the Cuban revolution? Science Fictopm writer Larry Zagorski just might have the answer. He’s put together the pieces of this unique puzzle in his latest story which bears a startling resemblance to Jake Arnott’s mind-blower of a novel sitting by my side here. Despite having finished this book about a month ago, my brain is still fizzing, so you’ll have to pardon me if this review seems a bit off-kilter. Let’s get the cards on the table first. This isn’t my usual kind of read. It’s probably not yours either, but it’ll have you hooked pretty damned quick. It’s a borderland book, hovering between the genres and their readership. That can be dangerous for any writer, but Jake Arnott has already proven his value with a string of successes. His latest work has Science Fiction elements,
Author: Jak e Arnott Publisher: Hodder (Sceptre Imprint)
The Blurb:
Larry Zagorski spins wild tales of fantasy worlds for pulp magazines. But as the Second World War hangs in the balance, the lines between imagination and reality are starting to blur. In London, spymasters enlist occultists in the war of propaganda. In Southern California, a charismatic rocket scientist summons dark forces and an SF writer founds a new religion. In Munich, Nazis consult astrologists as they plot peace with the West and dominion over the East. And a conspiracy is born that will ripple through the decades to come. The truth, it seems, is stranger than anything Larry could invent. But when he looks back on the 20th century, the past
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