Customer Reviews

Fool's Gold

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Fools Gold by Hank Quense is another terrific story written by an incredibly talented and FUN writer. Hanks characters and twists on tales we've heard before takes us down the unbeaten path into the hilariously crazy workings of his mind. And it's a twisted one at that!

His characters, their names, the places they come from and their way of thinking can only come from the mind of someone who thinks way outside of the box, way outside of this universe! This story, that begins as somewhat familiar if you're a sci-fi fan, quickly makes some serious turns and suddenly you find that it's nothing like what you were expecting.

I've had the opportunity to talk with Hank Quense on Page Readers about Fools Gold and his collection of short stories "Tunnel Vision" - the first story being "Sponsored By", should be made into a movie. That entire collection would make a great movie done as "shorts" put together, just like the book.

Keep them coming Hank!!!

When I first started reading Fool's Gold I was scared when learning it was based on a Fantasy story, as often times I'm not a big fan of Fantasy stories unless there is something unique about them. Fool's Gold changed into a basis for Science Fiction to run ramped. There are so many of the characters you can fall in love with and enjoy. Not to only mention the characters such as Fafner who has "criminal talents," but also the flowing of the backgrounds the characters live in. I was thrilled when I could imagine all these characters in one of my favorite settings, Science Fiction.

The story does jump around from time to time. However, that doesn't distract you from the robust characters, or the amazing background they play in. Quense makes sure the reader knows what comes next through such descriptive writing. I felt like I was reading one of my old time Science Fiction paperbacks, holding it until I was done. The pages will leave you wanting more. And reading this is what I suggest you do. You will fall madly in love with these characters, jump into their world, understand it and not want to put this book down; forgetting you have a book in your hand and imagining you are part of Quense's world.

Who but that master of satire, Hank Quense, would even think of turning Wagner's Ring opera into a comical space opera? Well, actually it all takes place on our planet, but some of the main characters are aliens.

The dragon, Fafner, is replaced by a slimy, squid-like master criminal, a native of Zaftan 31B, marooned on Earth. The two dwarves, Alberich and Mime, are also aliens, exiled to this planet. Alberich, a technical genius, has appropriated the Rhinegold to produce some magical devices.

Without the Rhinegold, Wotan and the other gods are losing their immortality. Naturally they want it back. Everyone's after the gold, including the humans and all the power-hungry aliens. Wotan's complicated schemes to reclaim the gold are stymied by his interfering wife. It's a continuous comedy of errors as each faction seeks power and all are working at cross-purposes. Through it all, Brunnhilde keeps up her personal quest for true love.

What delicious fun!