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trin's review against another edition
3.0
{I'm going to discuss both this book, and its sequel, [b: Zombies of the Gene Pool|609013|Zombies of the Gene Pool (Jay Omega, #2)|Sharyn McCrumb|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1314621643s/609013.jpg|595502], in one review. Fair warning. *g*}
Two fandom-set mysteries. The first takes place at a con, and with its wacky con shenanigans is generally more fun than the second, which involves a small fan reunion in Tennessee. Neither one of the mysteries is particularly mysterious (which is odd because McCrumb is nominally a mystery writer), but the books are generally amusing, quick reads. Enjoyable—if you don't think about them. Think about them at all, and you start to realize that McCrumb is really rather contemptuous toward fans and fandom. According to her, everyone involved in sci-fi/fantasy fandom is a socially-incompetent loser who will never amount to much, has poor personal hygiene, and is probably a virgin. Even if you become a successful genre author, you will never garner respect or attain happiness. Fannishness is, apparently, something you are supposed to grow out of when you finally lose that extra weight and find a boy/girlfriend. McCrumb's attitude certainly makes me wonder who she thinks she's writing these books for. It isn't for genre fans.
The sequel isn't actually any more bitter and nasty than the original, in spite of what I'd heard; however, both books contain the same kind of sloppiness. The main character is an engineer named Dr. James Owens Mega; the pen name under which he writes is Jay Omega. He's referred to interchangeably in both books (in the 3rd person omniscient narration, no less) as James, Mega, Jay, Jay Omega, and even Dr. Jay Omega—in other words, his nom de plume with his real world title. That kind of thing drives me nuts. There's also an instance of McCrumb stating that Character A doesn't know Character B's name at the top of a page, and then at the bottom of that same page, A casually calling B by her name. Oh, and another character thinking of a death as a murder and then a few pages later having to be convinced that it was indeed a murder and not accidental death. You know what is needed, here? A GOOD BETA.
So, I found these books both enjoyable and incredibly infuriating. I honestly can't make a recommendation about whether I think other people should read them or not.
Two fandom-set mysteries. The first takes place at a con, and with its wacky con shenanigans is generally more fun than the second, which involves a small fan reunion in Tennessee. Neither one of the mysteries is particularly mysterious (which is odd because McCrumb is nominally a mystery writer), but the books are generally amusing, quick reads. Enjoyable—if you don't think about them. Think about them at all, and you start to realize that McCrumb is really rather contemptuous toward fans and fandom. According to her, everyone involved in sci-fi/fantasy fandom is a socially-incompetent loser who will never amount to much, has poor personal hygiene, and is probably a virgin. Even if you become a successful genre author, you will never garner respect or attain happiness. Fannishness is, apparently, something you are supposed to grow out of when you finally lose that extra weight and find a boy/girlfriend. McCrumb's attitude certainly makes me wonder who she thinks she's writing these books for. It isn't for genre fans.
The sequel isn't actually any more bitter and nasty than the original, in spite of what I'd heard; however, both books contain the same kind of sloppiness. The main character is an engineer named Dr. James Owens Mega; the pen name under which he writes is Jay Omega. He's referred to interchangeably in both books (in the 3rd person omniscient narration, no less) as James, Mega, Jay, Jay Omega, and even Dr. Jay Omega—in other words, his nom de plume with his real world title. That kind of thing drives me nuts. There's also an instance of McCrumb stating that Character A doesn't know Character B's name at the top of a page, and then at the bottom of that same page, A casually calling B by her name. Oh, and another character thinking of a death as a murder and then a few pages later having to be convinced that it was indeed a murder and not accidental death. You know what is needed, here? A GOOD BETA.
So, I found these books both enjoyable and incredibly infuriating. I honestly can't make a recommendation about whether I think other people should read them or not.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
Read a great vintage copy of this 1988 Edgar winning mystery. Set at a science fiction convention and including a cast of great characters and an extensive Dungeons & Dragons game in the narrative: funny, well crafted, and fun to read. I’d certainly recommend it.
casspro's review against another edition
4.0
I read this in a college mystery novel class. It's funny and has a lot of tongue-in-cheek references to the Role Playing/Comic Book world. It's not afraid to make fun of itself, which is always refreshing in any pop culture-style novel.
somesubtlebutessentialway's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It's funny how much fandom hasn't changed. Geeks are still pushy, annoying, weird, and yet lovable. Writers are still shitheads, women are still tired, and convention managers are still way in over their heads.
I honestly don't see how someone not steeped in geek culture could like this, but I'm glad I got to enjoy it. It's a fun romp through murder, writing, DnD, love, and tenured positions. What else is there to say?
My only complaint is that this book really does not like fat women, which is, annoyingly, pretty on brand for the culture it's portraying. But the fact that they really hammer the point home with a woman saying it? Come on. But hey, what can we expect from the 80s.
I honestly don't see how someone not steeped in geek culture could like this, but I'm glad I got to enjoy it. It's a fun romp through murder, writing, DnD, love, and tenured positions. What else is there to say?
My only complaint is that this book really does not like fat women, which is, annoyingly, pretty on brand for the culture it's portraying. But the fact that they really hammer the point home with a woman saying it? Come on. But hey, what can we expect from the 80s.
billymac1962's review against another edition
3.0
This was a lot of fun. Sharyn McCrumb is best known for her Appalachian novels, but this little departure won her the Edgar award for best original paperpack mystery.
It also pissed off a lot of stuffy Science Fiction fans and the Trekkie ilk. It's a pretty funny murder mystery set at a weekend fantasy convention, complete with jabs towards fanzines, role-playing, geeks,
and a Harlan Ellison-esque star author. A good afternoon waster.
It also pissed off a lot of stuffy Science Fiction fans and the Trekkie ilk. It's a pretty funny murder mystery set at a weekend fantasy convention, complete with jabs towards fanzines, role-playing, geeks,
and a Harlan Ellison-esque star author. A good afternoon waster.
saskiajva's review against another edition
In less than 60 pages, the author managed to make 7 fat jokes, a ton of ugly jokes, and one reference to a “f@ggoty adolescent”. I thought at first it was to show how much of an ass one of the characters is, but after all the characters have made some kind of joke in that vein i realize this is the authors humor. The names were also super confusing and overall it wasnt for me
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Homophobia
bboduffy's review against another edition
1.0
This novel was interesting only in its dated perspective of gender relations (rampant sexism) and social outgroups. Bimbos of the Death Sun takes place at a comic convention in the 1980s, where those in attendance were depicted as pathetic, acne-plagued virgins working at Burger King and residing in their parent's basements. The few female participants at "Rubicon" were regularly bodyshamed. The only one to briefly have first person narrative was revealed to be a predator in search of wealthy husband.
Meanwhile, the female protagonist, a lady with a PhD in folklore, was routinely dismissed from conversations in favor of her boyfriend, Jay Omega, the author of the titular novel. She later confessed that the two weren't engaged because they weren't sure whether they would both get tenure in two years. There were numerous other examples that made my blood boil (I can't believe a woman wrote this book!) but I guess that's what you get from a novel titled "Bimbos of the Death Sun".
Meanwhile, the female protagonist, a lady with a PhD in folklore, was routinely dismissed from conversations in favor of her boyfriend, Jay Omega, the author of the titular novel. She later confessed that the two weren't engaged because they weren't sure whether they would both get tenure in two years. There were numerous other examples that made my blood boil (I can't believe a woman wrote this book!) but I guess that's what you get from a novel titled "Bimbos of the Death Sun".
cimorene1558's review against another edition
5.0
Funny as all get out if you've ever been to a sci-fi and/or fantasy convention, or been a nerd about one or the other subject!
violinknitter's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, this deserves an explanation. The Incomparable podcast did an episode on Harlan Ellison. So, of course, I don’t go & read Harlan Ellison stories. Instead, I pick up this other book they mentioned... a novel where a Harlan-Ellison-stand-in gets murdered at a con for being such an obnoxious bleepity-bleep. Apparently inspired by a specific con where Ellison was a bleepity-bleep.
The book was pretty much exactly what I expected: cotton-candy portrayal of con culture from several decades ago, with the murder almost not being the point. (If you’re looking for an actual murder mystery, that’s not really what this book is for. :D ) Since I was completely in the mood for cotton-candy reading, this filled the bill perfectly.
The book was pretty much exactly what I expected: cotton-candy portrayal of con culture from several decades ago, with the murder almost not being the point. (If you’re looking for an actual murder mystery, that’s not really what this book is for. :D ) Since I was completely in the mood for cotton-candy reading, this filled the bill perfectly.
mehitabels's review against another edition
4.0
Ha! I never expected this. A mystery all tied up in a sci-fi convention box, with a pretty D&D bow.
So apropos for my life right now. Amusing, gently teasing, and as true as any group of fans that I have seen. Makes me nostalgic and embarrassed at the same time.
Geek adorable in a way that will doubtfully ever be mainstream.
So apropos for my life right now. Amusing, gently teasing, and as true as any group of fans that I have seen. Makes me nostalgic and embarrassed at the same time.
Geek adorable in a way that will doubtfully ever be mainstream.