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Lizard World Terry Richard Bazes Books

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Lizard World Terry Richard Bazes Books

Terry Richard Bazes is insanely creative. I could leave off writing this review having said only that, satisfied that I have made my point well. Because it's true--so true. But somehow that is not enough, and there is more to say about Bazes' wild imagination and his new novel, Lizard World. In Lizard World, the author roundly lampoons humanity's seemingly unquenchable desire for immortality (at any cost) by pulling back the curtain and revealing it in a less than chivalric light. Griswold, a depraved three-hundred-year-old English earl, is no Perceval or Gawain, to be sure. Neither is his modern counterpart (quite literally, it turns out), Smedlow, a New Jersey dentist-cum-scoundrel. In actuality, Griswold is a monster--literally and figuratively--kept alive by Frobey "splicers" honoring the Frobey debt. Lem Lee, a kind of Renaissance reprobate who does a bit of this and a bit of that, and who also seeks immortality through the written word ( via his hack novel), is no less a monster. And in fact, the novel is peopled with monsters of every ilk, some more clearly unnatural than others, some true freaks and others simply callous misanthropes and miscreants only slightly less freakish. It could even be argued that the story itself is somewhat of a monster, as the narrative is skillfully "spliced" together--the result, however, does not feel unnatural. On the contrary, the juxtaposition of seventeenth century high prose and modern hillbilly patois serves as a kind of mock-heroic sleight of hand with devastating comic effect. This singular novel is so unique as to defy any meaningful comparison. Yet, readers and critics alike will do as they always do; they will try and fail, even though such comparisons are almost always ill-advised. Having said that, however, and having never been one to heed my own advice, allow me to try my own hand at a comparison: Bazes writes like Tim Dorsey--that is, if Dorsey lived in a cabin along the Cahulawassee River, had an IQ north of one-fifty blotter hits, and wrote like a cross-dressing Laurence Sterne. Oh, and wrote funnier, too--much, much funnier. Lizard World is a book you won't soon forget; it will seep like a black sludge into your consciousness. It's that good--really.


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Lizard World Terry Richard Bazes Books Reviews

If I had to describe “Lizard World” in one word, what would it be? “Depraved” comes to mind, possibly “revolting”, but also, undoubtedly “brilliant”. Another word could be “gruesome”, if “hilarious”. “Convoluted” at times, albeit “engrossing”. In truth, it is quite unlike any novel you’ll be reading in some time.

The plot is complex but I’ll try to let you have an idea of it, hopefully without giving away too much. In 1687, a lecherous and rakish English earl, having “had his way” with his cousin Belinda and blinded her brother in an ensuing duel, gets carted off to America for his sins. There, amongst a tribe of “salvidges”, and during an attempt to seduce the chief’s daughter, he comes across an elixir of eternal life. Which works... sort of. In fact, the elixir has a nasty side-effect, as the earl soon discovers when he starts to turn into a reptilian humanoid. Back in England, he takes into his employ a promising young surgeon who excels in experimental interventions. This surgeon – and a regular supply of body parts – are the earl’s only hope of retaining a vague human semblance. Zoom forward to 2007 Florida, where the dentist Smedlow is kidnapped by a bunch of weirdos with nefarious plans, the descendants (we eventually learn) of the Earl’s personal surgeon. Smedlow’s destiny becomes increasingly entwined with that of the earl, and, appropriately, the book moves backwards and forwards with ease between the 17th and 21st Century, between Florida swamps (past and present) and Restoration London. What is most impressive is the way in which Bazes switches styles and argot; the scenes set in the 17th century, in particular, are rendered in a witty pastiche of Defoe and Fielding whilst the contemporary scenes are conveyed through the eyes of multiple protagonists, each represented by a different mode of expression (most notably, the heavy slang of Smedlow’s kidnapper Lemuel Lee).

Lizard World is a daring post-modern literary mash-up part Gothic/body horror, part historical novel, part crime-story, part comedy. If it were a film it would combine the bloody violence of a John Carpenter movie with the Baroque imagination of Terry Gilliam, the deadpan humour of the Coens with the politically incorrect, gross comedy of the Farrellys. With some Blackadder thrown into the mix. It is not for the faint-hearted, but if you stick the first 70 pages or so, you will be hooked.

What is ultimately most surprising is that underneath the craziness of it all, the book raises a metaphysical query which the reader can easily lose sight of – what is it that makes us who we are? Is it our body, our mind, our soul? Or perhaps our memories and our personal histories? At this point, we might need to call in Terrence Malick as well.
I'm not going to write a detailed review of this novel. I'm just going to say that this book blew my mind and is easily one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had while reading in the last 20 years.
I like a book that makes it possible for me to forget myself. You'd think escape would be easy, but there's a problem. My own life, no matter how boring, is somehow authentic, convincing.

Therefore many novels leave me unmoved. The people in them are so sympathetic that I don't believe for a minute in their existence.

A powerful narrative may lead me to forget this sense of unreality for pages at a time, but sooner or later the pace lessens. Then my willful suspension of disbelief collapses.

Some contemporary writers attempt authenticity by making their stories boring, even meaningless, just like real life. I don't like that much either. I want an adventure, but one that I can believe in.

Lizard World is that rare combination of strong narrative and realistic character. These people aren't too good to be true. In some instances, they're even less admirable than myself. And yet the narrative is fast-paced and full of surprises.

If you adore the life you have then there's no reason to read this novel-- or any other, for that matter. But if--from time to time--you'd like to escape, here's the book you need. Lizard world is far more exciting than you'd like your life to be, but it's also entirely convincing. The people in this novel are as life-like as life itself.
Bizarro, gross, intriguing story. Well-written with varying narrators both 18th century dialect and modern hill-billy. This seeming incomprehensible mismash works. Not for the weak tummy.
Terry Richard Bazes is insanely creative. I could leave off writing this review having said only that, satisfied that I have made my point well. Because it's true--so true. But somehow that is not enough, and there is more to say about Bazes' wild imagination and his new novel, Lizard World. In Lizard World, the author roundly lampoons humanity's seemingly unquenchable desire for immortality (at any cost) by pulling back the curtain and revealing it in a less than chivalric light. Griswold, a depraved three-hundred-year-old English earl, is no Perceval or Gawain, to be sure. Neither is his modern counterpart (quite literally, it turns out), Smedlow, a New Jersey dentist-cum-scoundrel. In actuality, Griswold is a monster--literally and figuratively--kept alive by Frobey "splicers" honoring the Frobey debt. Lem Lee, a kind of Renaissance reprobate who does a bit of this and a bit of that, and who also seeks immortality through the written word ( via his hack novel), is no less a monster. And in fact, the novel is peopled with monsters of every ilk, some more clearly unnatural than others, some true freaks and others simply callous misanthropes and miscreants only slightly less freakish. It could even be argued that the story itself is somewhat of a monster, as the narrative is skillfully "spliced" together--the result, however, does not feel unnatural. On the contrary, the juxtaposition of seventeenth century high prose and modern hillbilly patois serves as a kind of mock-heroic sleight of hand with devastating comic effect. This singular novel is so unique as to defy any meaningful comparison. Yet, readers and critics alike will do as they always do; they will try and fail, even though such comparisons are almost always ill-advised. Having said that, however, and having never been one to heed my own advice, allow me to try my own hand at a comparison Bazes writes like Tim Dorsey--that is, if Dorsey lived in a cabin along the Cahulawassee River, had an IQ north of one-fifty blotter hits, and wrote like a cross-dressing Laurence Sterne. Oh, and wrote funnier, too--much, much funnier. Lizard World is a book you won't soon forget; it will seep like a black sludge into your consciousness. It's that good--really.