In the second volume of the free-wheeling, sci-fi adjacent Phoenix Saga, poet Joshua James Eller, writing under his gnomic, anagrammatic, and partially mirrored pen name amalL era JesuƨɘႱ hO, returns with more elliptical short texts and transcripts that form a confusing yet beguiling patchwork narrative touching on philosophy and cosmic spirituality.
The supposed “Publisher’s Legal Disclaimer,” itself an extension of the fiction of the book, outlines what the reader may expect within:
“Phoenix Saga: A Modern Epic in Pro Sé presents a wide-ranging perspective engaging at various levels across a spiritual & intellectual spectrum which carry earned wisdom, including certain semiotics, objectives, and practices that may be hazardous or illegal if undertaken without proper medical, possibly legal and spiritual, guidance within a post-modern epoch, and beyond – perhaps.”
The “perhaps” is the key. Nothing in the book is as it seems, or at least not for long. Meaning is fluid. The narrative, such as it is, warps constantly with stand-alone sketches juxtaposed with seemingly disparate fugitive texts. Any search for literal meaning is derailed by frequently odd spelling, punctuation, and page layout. Indeed, the author provides an early reader’s guide (or warning) regarding the book’s syntax: “Phoenix Saga: A Modern Epic in Pro Sé is written in flows, intended for vocal renditions – As such, application of punctuation and related affect is essential to exceptional Saga-Craft.” The author also reveals that there is meaning behind the bizarre spelling and typography: “Every Capitalization & Punctuation & Symbol & Language & Design infuses Meaning, imbuing Knowledge.” Though he does not explicate exactly how this “Knowledge” is meant to be extracted.
Perhaps the best way to approach PHOENIX SAGA: PEACE ON EARTH PROTOCOL is not as a traditional novel. Certainly not as a saga as such, with its suggestion of a legendary epic tale slowly unfurling. The book functions as something to dip in and out of, lending itself to almost random reading as one may experience a collection of loosely interlinked short stories. Or even in the way one might listen to a piece of music to evoke a mood—the drama of a symphony, the spiritual cacophony of free jazz, the futurism of electronica, or the hard-beating heart of hip hop. Passage by passage, the book is frequently a delight. For example, the lyrical prowess shown in lines like, “Jungle-Song at night as air chills offers insectile melodies & Predatory Flows – Enēôlnən rejoices at Their first echoing Thunder,” is more about feeling than literal meaning. And literal meaning may not be that important at all. Readers who embark on a simple A to Z voyage through the pages may find themselves soon lost at sea. Better to enjoy the journey rather than be too concerned about the destination.
Though the Phoenix Saga was billed as a trilogy, the author hints that this second book may be as far as he will take it for quite a while: “Books One & Two of a Phoenix Saga Trilogy comprise a PoetOracles’ Magnum Opus – Book Three – being non-essential – is not to publish for many years given known constraints.” If that is the case, then the two volumes Eller has delivered are amongst the oddest yet strangely thrilling hybrid fiction books of recent times. It will be interesting to see where his idiosyncratic vision takes him next.
PHOENIX SAGA: PEACE ON EARTH PROTOCOL by poet amalL era JesuƨɘႱ hO (aka Joshua James Eller) is an inventive and experimental work that skirts the edge of sci-fi while bringing in elements of philosophy and spirituality. As confusing and confounding as its predecessor, this will delight readers prepared to succumb to a maze of sparkling prose without feeling the need to extract any clear meaning or narrative closure.
~Kent Lane for IndieReader