It's a treat when a great science-fiction book also has a great sense of humor, as is the case with one of my favorite recent novels, "The Big God Network" by J.C. McGowan. The book blazes through Bali, Tokyo, and numerous settings in "post-America," as well as through many virtual worlds in cyberspace, as it weaves together a near-future high-tech adventure, a mystical quest, and heavy political and cultural satire. The humor can be blatant and other times subtle, as the author takes on a range of subjects, from religion and cults to the promise and pitfalls of virtual life. The chapter "Halfway There" is a sly send-up of William Gibson and WIRED-ish techno-fetishism, while "The Yabyum Palace" (a Tantric cyber sex realm) is both erotic and quite funny. There is an affectionate slice of "fantasy" fiction in "Nigh Errant," while several notable scenes take place in evangelical virtual churches, putting televangelists into cyberspace with disturbing and hilarious takes on the Christian Right (and Trinity Broadcasting Network-ish preachers like Paul Crouch and John Hagee). I recommend "The Big God Network" highly, especially to those who are conversant with Kurt Vonnegut. ( )

In the main, cyberpunk and science fiction authors have crafted near-future scenarios with an emphasis on technology innovations and broader sociocultural developments; however, their dystopias have touched only lightly on the increasingly ominous future direction of American politics and world affairs. JC McGowan has stepped in to fill this gap, and has done so admirably. The Big God Network blazes new ground in the fiction arena of the near-future political satire, and represents an engaging cross between Tom Swift and Jonathan Swift.

If you ever wondered where the Rove-Bush-Neocon-Falwell-Robertson political fiasco might one day lead -- in a worst-case scenario, of course -- you've come to the right book. Let's just say that in McGowan's vision of the near-future world, freedom isn't on the march, but is instead in full retreat.

McGowan's narrative is a multicultural melange that maintains its sharpness, humor and edge at every turn, with an occasional romp in the hay thrown in to spice up the narrative. Readers should be ready and willing to travel anywhere at a moment's notice, because Big God Network will take them to far-flung corners of the world at a breakneck pace, from Bali and Tokyo to LA and then back to cyberspace again.

Fans of the cyberpunk masters, such as William Gibson and Bruce Sterling, will be right at home here. This book has it all -- virtual reality, New Age spirituality, cybersex, UFOs, extraterrestrials, tele-cyber-evangelists, Yakuza -- and then some. The brisk pacing keeps the pages turning rapidly. I loved this book, and was sorry to see it end. Highly recommended! ( )