'The Book of strange new things' - an earthbound review

WATKINS GLEN, New York - The Book of strange new things by Michel Faber is, indeed, a strange book itself.

It's part science fiction, part theological treatise and part counseling about loneliness, couples and long-distance relationships.

Oh. And throw in a multi-galaxy corporation that has established an outpost on a planet a gazillion miles (or was it light years?) from earth.

Still, the story of an earthly minister who travels to a colony where aliens are intrigued with the idea of Christianity works for the most part. And although the book runs slow in some spots, the relationship between the minister and the wife he left on earth (temporarily, temporarily!) is as intriguing as it is hard to watch.

The Book of strange new things is actually the Christian Bible and the pastor's interactions with the aliens are, well, I don't want to spoil it.

Michel Faber

By the way, I suppose it is entirely wrong to call the indigenous people on the planet aliens. It is, after all, their planet.

This  book is not an easy read, yet I couldn't stop slogging through it.

I have read that the author has announced that this tome is his last.

Well, it did take him 10 years to write it so he has earned his rest.

It's on the new book shelf at the Watkins Glen Public Library.