/lit/ - Literature

>>22338542
The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, #1 - Saad Z. Hossain (2019)

This satirical science fiction fantasy novella is hilarious. It's very much my preferred sort of humor, so take that as you will. I'm certain there are all sort of flaws to be criticized, especially by those who take it overly seriously, but I had too much fun reading this to be concerned about anything other than my own enjoyment. I was reminded of several different works across various media. It's also a subversion of sword and sorcery, in a loving and mocking way.

At some unclear point within possibly the next few centuries humanity in its hubris has destroyed nearly all the world and themselves through its reckless disregard for consequences. Life outside the few remaining functioning cities is hellish and death is a promise. Kathmandu is a city run by Karma, an AI beyond the understanding of other AI, which owns and judges everything and assigns value to it as according to its algorithms. No one owns anything, no one has money, and no one has to do anything. All basic needs are provided for at no cost for Zeros, those who don't have any Karma points. Those who have points are able to spend them to have Karma do as they request. Aside from the initial distribution, the points are earned by one's actions and through trade. Neither ethics nor morality have any place in the market. All that matters is value as determined by Karma.

Melek Ahmar is a Djinn, a being that is able to manipulate reality, who has awoken from his millennia-long imprisonment. Bhan Gurung, a gurkha who has mastered knives, seeks revenge against one of the top ranked citizens of Kathmandu. If the entire city is destroyed in the process, it matters not at all. He is a recidivist who has forsaken all of Karma's blessings and as such is not under her surveillance. The djinn, not knowing what has become of the world, follows Gurung to Kathamandu. His goal is to PARTY HARD, and maybe, if there's time, to become the ruler of everything and have everyone know how great he is, once again. Though, really, only the former matters. Hamilcar Pande serves Karma in whatever seems the right way, because he's her sheriff, and the failsafe, or so he likes to think. Colonel Kanelia Shakia is his lover and a deadly warrior. She lives an entirely regimented life, which includes a requisite one day per week of wild and inventive sex, none of which is included. There's also a female djinn drug dealer who loves retro K-pop. All of the characters were great and this story is very much about the characters.

I have only two disappointments. There's only one more book in this series currently and there probably won't ever be an adaptation. It's been a long time since I felt so strongly that something needs an animated adaptation like this does. I'll definitely have to try reading what else he's written. Hossain may possibly end up being my favorite SFF comedy writer. The potential is there anyway.

Rating: 5/5