Flight: A Quantum Fiction Novel

Whatever ""quantum fiction"" is, we need more of it. Bonta's first novel is reminiscent of Heinlein for its exuberant infusion of mystery, romance and adventure into good, basic SF. The narrative includes extensive notes on the calculation of the speed of time as well, just to remind genre fans that science is the flavoring for SF. The story opens slowly, with a prologue of poetry and then a first chapter written by the main character, Mendle Orion, who is an SF writer. Orion admires his own work, above all his newest character, Aira Flight, who winds up crossing over into his reality through the power of true love. The crossover is powerful enough to bring Aira's pet/friend Onx along for the ride, too. Asides about bathtub books, self-doubt tapes and other foibles, running from the quirky to the hilarious, help propel the action through a boilerplate save-the-world-from-evil plot. But that story line is in any case secondary to the web of believable relationships and interactions that Bonta spins; the sex scenes, though not graphic, are particularly moving. SF fans looking for something new but not uncomfortably so will find this novel just the ticket. (June)