Another Fine Mess

The author of Charlatan is “the perfect armchair cosmonaut” for “a very funny and provocative rumination on the big move to off-planet real estate” (Mark Haskell Smith, author of Blown).   We’ve gotten into another fine mess, destroying the planet and all. So where will we go next? Is it time to colonize outer space? Acclaimed essayist Pope Brock takes us on a vivid satirical journal to learn just what life might look like living on tomorrow’s moon.   “Though the reader finds herself in happy contemplation of crisping ex-lovers with lasers from a future lunar workplace, or perhaps having imperfect sex in perfect spheres of water, or simply socializing on the moon with well-adapted sociopaths, nevertheless we also get to know the fiercely earthbound heart of Pope Brock. His vision is both funny and horrifying, a Seussian galaxy of rumpus absurdity and straight-talking hard truths. By the end of it one thinks, ‘Ah, Humanity’ but right upon that one thinks, ‘Thank goodness for Pope Brock.’” —Leigh Allison Wilson, author of From the Bottom Up   “Deft, funny, profound in its implications—and also a grave prediction about the mess that may soon be transferred from the Earth to the moon. A beguiling and original story by a writer whose wisdom is only matched by his wicked comic timing.” —Sarah Braunstein, author of The Sweet Relief of Missing Children   “An inspired observer with a poet’s heart, his investigation into our lunar future is informed, wry and sublimely readable.”—Cathy Galvin, founder of the Word Factory, London