THE VIRTUE OF GAIA LADRIEH

A fantastical novel offers myths and adventures.

Lemon follows up the first volume in this series with the further escapades of the goddess Gaia Ladrieh. This sequel begins with Gaia seeking “new Wisdom from amongst those inhabitants of the Falen World.” In order to do so, she ventures beyond the Great City of the Pyramids. What she discovers disappoints her. She is immediately struck by a place where “toxic fumes dominate the air.” Later, she is enraged when, after trying the water, she finds it “tastes of gasoline and the oil of those virulent machines of the Dark Age!” Then, on the island of AIA, Gaia encounters more problematic circumstances. Things get so bad that she is driven to tears. Whatever is a goddess to do? She returns home, where “the Rites oV—DIONYSUS IX were to be performed.” The descriptions of these rites are dense with dialogue, instructions, and poetry. They also include multicolored text that is not always in English. Different signs of the zodiac make appearances as well as a flute-playing serpent. There is a banquet with Jupiter and a “Mistress oV—the NIGHT! oV—the Woodland GOD!” It all culminates in an appeal directly from the author on the importance of eccentricity. For readers, piecing the tale together is a bit of a challenge. Aside from text that is at times indecipherable, some spelling and word choices make for a difficult read. For instance, it is proclaimed at one point that “COLORED beyond!—DAEMON-Z’I’ON’z Portal, Crowned oV Many Colored leaves, S=HE Stands.” This line, like many others, requires careful reading to ascertain just what is going on. Yet the outlandishness of it all is far from bland. The work, when examined patiently by the uninitiated, is even thought-provoking. Gaia should be upset. When people attempt to perform rites for her on AIA, the action is interpreted as madness. But who are the truly mad? The ones fouling the water or the ones trying to honor the sacred? As the text points out, “Cannot we cease such shallow dramas wading in childish depths…within the DREAM POOL?” Perhaps readers should listen to the flute-playing serpent’s tune.

While difficult to decipher in places, this wild tale about a goddess delivers surprising insights.