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5.0 out of 5 stars
Multi-layered exploration of the nature of reality, December 17, 2003
First off, this isn't a typical Amazon title, rather it is the product of PS Publishing, which puts out limited, signed editions by various science fiction and fantasy authors. Specifically, "In Springdale Town" by Robert Freeman Wexler was limited to 300 hardcover and another 500 paperback copies, and at the time of this writing, some copies were still available from the publisher. Moreover, there are copies available on the internet, and should the opportunity to acquire a copy present itself, I would strongly recommend doing so.
"In Springdale Town" is an intriguing and enigmatic look at the nature of reality, in many ways similar to Danielewski's remarkable "House of Leaves". Both are open ended in their conclusions, and both make deft use of "footnotes" to hint at a surface barely scratched. However, whereas "House of Leaves" focuses on (among many other things) the ability of our internal mental state to dictate the circumstances our external one, "In Springdale Town" takes a different approach and explores how our thoughts and actions can impact, and even create, other realities.
In this regard, "In Springdale" town shows its science fiction foundation, for the two main characters, lawyer Patrick Travis and actor Richard Shelling, represent universes that are neither mutually exclusive nor entirely compatible. The town of Springdale is a nexus of sorts for the two men, but hints as to why lead to more questions as to the nature of reality. Moreover, there are traffic cops, after a fashion, who seem to be charged with controlling and rationalizing cross universe transits. As the two men are sucked into a world that is both plainly flawed and clearly of their own creation, it becomes obvious that there is some sort of balance that needs to be restored.
As this need becomes more urgent, it leads to a conclusion wherein Wexler frames an ontological riddle that could most simply be described as "When you look in the mirror, are you seeing your reflection, or are you the reflection of the person in the mirror?" There is a chicken and the egg approach to his multiverse that seems to suggest that the power of perception plays a key roll in propping up our very existence. If one allows themselves to get stuck between realities, to become uncertain as to what is real and what is not, they risk not only insanity, but quite literally bringing down their world around them. Conversely, those who take the "I think therefore I am" approach shore up their reality and assure its existence. Which leads to the question: if one's fantasy worlds become more real than their own world can they be destroyed by them.
Having reread the review to this point, I am rather embarrassed by all of my verbal back-flips and uses of the word "reality". However, in many ways this is the best compliment I can pay to "In Springdale Town"; for a short book it presents a host of mysteries and philosophical questions, and I suspect that anyone who reads this book on my recommendation will draw completely different conclusions. The simplest endorsement I can offer for "In Springdale Town" is that will definitely engage the reader and leave one with more to ponder than one would expect from eighty-odd pages.
Enjoy!
Jake Mohlman
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1.0 out of 5 stars
Much better books out there, August 12, 2009
This review is from: In Springdale Town (Paperback)
I read the reviews and bought the book. This is one book that I would not have bought if I had been in a hands-on bookstore. The writing is pedestrian and story is an old one.
I would highly recommend Mieville's The City and The City. The writing is good and story really amazing.
I would also highly recommend anything by John Crowley and, of course, Philip K. Dick.
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