All Hell Breaks Loose In Western Canada
Canada has a friendly, somewhat staid reputation these days, but this was hardly the case 135 years ago. Of all the legends passed down through the years, few are as mind-blowing as the one Paul J. Barker's latest novel is based upon.
Ontario, Canada (PRWEB) October 24, 2006 -- Paul J. Barker's recently released "Life On Umbriel" is no ordinary novel. It taps into the universal fantasy of getting away from it all – of retreating from everything and everyone – to great effect. Set in the 1800s, "Life On Umbriel" is primarily the story of freakish acrobat / strongman Jarrod Morgan and his obsessive nemesis, Nunzio Payne.
Young Morgan puts his abilities to good use on the day he is to be executed, crashing out of a flimsy Kamloops jailhouse and hightailing it west towards the Pacific Ocean. He has no real destination in mind, but believes he can lose himself amongst the rugged mountains and forests of western British Columbia. Imagine his delight when a mountain materializes that no one but he seems able to climb. "Mt. Avitah" is its name, and it appears to have more in common with Jack's beanstalk than any conventional mountain. Morgan envisions residing upon its peak like some kind of god, occasionally swooping down to forage for food or to visit his lovely young girlfriend. (He conveniently excludes those who want him dead from this tidy little fantasy.)
"Life on Umbriel" is rapidly becoming part of Canadian folklore. The novel might be small, but it packs a wallop that will resonate in the reader’s consciousness for the remainder of his or her existence. Its vivid prose always seems to place the reader right smack in the midst of the action, while its colorful characters – even the twisted ones – are a blast to get to know.
A word of caution: the book's shocking climax does not lead to the happiest ending in the world.
"Life On Umbriel" (ISBN # 0-595-37832-3) should be readily available all over the Web by now. For more information, drop by the author"s website, http://www.dontlikemyjob.com
About Paul J. Barker
Paul J. Barker is best known for "Timothy's Take-Out" (ISBN # 1-4137-3164-3), a novel that has attained something resembling cult status amongst people who don't like their jobs. It is a masterpiece of humorous fiction and can be found, appropriately enough, at http://www.dontlikemyjob.com/pages/1/index.htm.
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