written by David Wyatt
Assistant Professor James Own Mega had a problem. He had an unresearchable idea about the potential effects of
sunspots on "polymer acrylic on capacitive interaction among high frequency microcomponents in thick film circuits".
Knowing the
academic press would never take it, he wrote his idea into as a
hard science fiction novel, ably assisted by his
girlfriend, Assistant
Professor of English Marion Farley. He even submitted it to a
publisher, and low and behold Alien Books put it in print. But the
editor changed a few things. The cover had been adorned with
barbarian women in
fur bikinis, none of which had anything do with the book. The title was also new. It had metamophosized into
Bimbos of the Death Sun. Which was strange, because the book had been certified "
bimbo free" by the redoubtable Dr. Farley.
Now Dr. Mega was the proud author of a book he dare not show the
Engineering department, or lose all chance at
tenure. But you don't write a book unless you want people to read it. How do you promote such a book? Especially where no one you know will see you? At a
science fiction convention!
Bimbos of the Death Sun is actually a novel by
mystery writer
Sharyn McCrumb. It is a screamingly funny send up of
science fiction fandom, of which Ms. McCrumb is apparently a recovering member. Think of
Spinal Tap for science fiction and
fantasy fans. The books is as beloved by
fen - - the plural of
fan-- as Tap is among
rock'n'rollers. The portrait of
SF's enthusiasts and
misanthropes is both loving and scalding, and this saga of "RubiCon" an excellent primer for anyone who has never attended a con.
The book has everything the reader could want. The
Guest of Honor is spoiled and abusive, and obsessive fans dress in elaborate costumes and assume fantasy personae. A Scottish
folk singer learns what it means to "
filk". Geeks and a Star Trek wedding. And, of course, there is a
murder, which Dr. Mega must solve in his nom de plume, Jay Omega. '
Mundanes' will be introduced to 'fannish' terminology and fans themselves. Some are tragic characters whose escape into fantasy covers dreary and inadequate lives. But others are bright, accepting people who don't see why the imagination need be confined to this universe.
And you
will laugh.
Bimbos of the Death Sun earned McCrumb the
Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1988, when it was named best original paperback mystery.
It has one sequel,
Zombies of the Gene Pool which returns Jay Omega to solve a murder at a
slanshack reunion.
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