Upon finishing Andrew Foster Altschul’s debut novel Lady Lazarus, the only thing to do is contemplate.
Contemplate the novels strange narrative, the cacophony of the characters and the haunting sense of loss, grief and “scambiguity”.
The story revolves around mythic rock stars, the art of poetry, poetics, psychological theory, Zen Buddhism as well as a worthy chronology of past, present and loosely made- up pop culture.
The story of Calliope Bird Morath parallels the beginnings of Francis Bean Cobain, Sylvia Plath and a hot of modern pseudo-celebs. Calliope’s story is not her own however, she shares time with her Biographer/Author.
The novel is meticulous with the construction of it’s epic journey, even cleverly including footnotes. The characters could have been one dimensional parodies but Altschul’s deft hand they become rich, full people you might even have sympathy for them they messes they created.
Other than Calliope, the second most interesting character is Roshi Bob. The Zen Buddhist monk is the heart of the story. Whether he is repeating his story about the “Sprint Cell Phone Tower”, talking of “Lost” as “Very conducive to Zen Buddhist state of mind” or imparting the circular Zen Buddhist wisdom. He is clearly the man behind the curtain of this erstwhile tale.
It’s a read worth not missing
