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A review by bob_rubendunst
This Magnificent Desolation by Thomas O'Malley
3.0
This Magnificent Desolation is four hundred and one pages of somewhat carefully constructed prose that lacks quotes around dialog. I suspect loss of punctuation was used to make the separation of thought from speech vague, to lead to a dream like quality to the story.
The novel begins with the Bill Safire actual speech prepared for Nixon to read in the event that the first Moon landing in 1969 left the astronauts stranded and dying on the Moon, rather than returning to Earth and adoration.
And it ends with an excerpt from the NASA flight log, with the first words about the moon landing are repeated three times (Beautiful view, magnificent sight, magnificent desolation), and then a fictional part about Michael Collins not replying is added to the very end.
In between, the novel follows a small handful of folks that feel abandoned or forsaken from a parent, or a lover. These feelings are amplified by the more than ample writing.
Whether you are pining for a parrot, a parent, astronauts, or a planet, this magnificent desolation is everywhere. Just remember, it is magnificent, and it can be shared.
The novel begins with the Bill Safire actual speech prepared for Nixon to read in the event that the first Moon landing in 1969 left the astronauts stranded and dying on the Moon, rather than returning to Earth and adoration.
And it ends with an excerpt from the NASA flight log, with the first words about the moon landing are repeated three times (Beautiful view, magnificent sight, magnificent desolation), and then a fictional part about Michael Collins not replying is added to the very end.
In between, the novel follows a small handful of folks that feel abandoned or forsaken from a parent, or a lover. These feelings are amplified by the more than ample writing.
Whether you are pining for a parrot, a parent, astronauts, or a planet, this magnificent desolation is everywhere. Just remember, it is magnificent, and it can be shared.