by Sharyn McCrumb
The Convention Organizers
The Fen
The Writers
Interested Parties
Before Tim Allen’s movie Galaxy Quest, there was Bimbos of the Death Sun, a mystery novel that, in addition, skewers the more rabid fans of fantasy and science fiction – those who spend their entire lives role-playing, gaming, and living in fantasy worlds. Although the ‘rabid fan’ is portrayed well, and quite amusingly, author Sharyn McCrumb does err on the side of exaggeration. There are no ‘average’ fans in this book: the majority of people who can tell real from fantasy life and merely like to suspend disbelief now and again. McCrumb presents a single image of fans – or the fen, as she calls them – they are all the dregs of the social system. But…they are amusing dregs, and Bimbos of the Death Sun is an amusing book.
Dr. James Owens Mega, an engineer at the local university, has written a hard science fiction novel, which his publisher has decided to make more attractive to the general public by giving it the catchy title Bimbos of the Death Sun, and putting a buxom girl on the cover. It is a title and cover that Mega fears he will never be able to live down if his students at the University hear about it. (He is published under the pen name Jay Omega.) Mega’s girlfriend (and professor of English at the same University) has insisted that he intend the Rubicon, a science fiction convention, and that he autograph his book and do everything that a new author is supposed to do to advertise his work.
The convention’s main star, however, is author Appin Dungannin, creator and writer of the best selling sword and sorcery series with a Celtic theme, Tratyn Runewind, now up to 26 volumes. Appin Dungannin is referred to as ‘a malevolent dwarf with a drinking problem,’ and this is indeed the case. From the time of his arrival at the hotel until the time of his unfortunate demise, Dungannin proceeds to make life unpleasant for everyone. He sends the convention organizers off on petty errands at ungodly hours, verbally abuses his fans (at least, the males) and takes advantage of the females. Dungannin is not a one-dimensional victim, however, author McCrumb gives us a brief insight into Dungannin’s head, into what makes him tick, into why he behaves as he does - for villains are never villains to themselves.
Many people disliked Dungannin, many people hated him, but who felt the need to kill him, and why? Such is the puzzle that the police must concern themselves with, while the convention goes on around them.
Bimbos of the Death Sun proceeds quickly and amusingly to its finish. Appropriately, it is James Omega, neophyte science fiction writer - with the assistance of girlfriend Dr. Marion Crawford, who solves the crime in a fitting manner.
Collector’s Corner:
Miles Perry
Walter Diefenbacher
Joseph Bonnenberger
Bernard Buchanan
Richard Faber
Monk Malone
Chip Livingstone
Joel Schumann
Cifford Morgan
Jerry Larson
Mark and Linda
Bill Fox
Appin Dungannon
Dr. James Owens Mega
Dr. Marion Farley
Donnie McRory
On its first publication in 1988, Bimbos of the Death Sun won an Edgar Award. McCrumb’s introduction to the Ballantine Books 1997 edition is a hilarious recounting of how this novel came about.
This review copyright
May 24, 2000.
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