He Walked Among Us

Spinrad's shrill messianic novel reaches the U.S. eight years after its first publication in French. Texas Jimmy Balaban is convinced that stand-up comedian Ralf, a self-proclaimed refugee from a horrific world of tomorrow, could be a megastar. Jimmy drafts jaded SF writer Dexter Lambkin and New Age guru Amanda Robin to effect this transformation. Amanda eagerly accepts Ralf at face value, and cynical Dexter is surprised to find himself also falling under Ralf's spell even as the new role takes a terrible toll on the comedian. Spinrad alternates between revulsion at overweight SF fans, whom Dexter shamelessly manipulates for “egoboo pussy” and joke fodder, and an unshakable conviction that these “Monkey People” can change the world if they just apply themselves. Even Spinrad's venerable name won't sell this book to the readers he so palpably despises, leaving it without an audience. (Apr.)