Jason Cosmo

by Dan McGirt

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451162889
• ISBN13: 9780451162885
• Release Date: August 1989
• Publisher: Roc
• Length: 235 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Well-balanced humor enhances a solid story

There's a fine line to be walked with respect to writing humorous fantasy; how much of the formula should be simple light-hearted situational humor, and how much of it should be given over to blatant punnery? In my estimation, it's more difficult to take humor "seriously" when internal logic and consistency are pushed aside in favor of too much of the latter (though I'm not sure which is worse; a writer who tries to mitigate his punning and fails, or one who abandons all restraint and builds his entire milieu on a foundation of puns). There are puns in Jason Cosmo; however, Dan McGirt limits them to the names of places and people, and thus his puns, rather than defining his world, are simply influenced by it. This leaves the way open for the reader to fully enjoy the novel's true humor, which is to be found in the situations, the interaction between Jason and Mercury, and the skewering of fantasy archetypes. McGirt's world has politics (the nations and their past and present relationships are inherent to the plot), extrapolitical intrigue (two warring factions of wizards), history (the five ages), and mythology (the relationships between, and powers and limitations of, the gods and demons)-in other words, the major factors that contribute to a well-crafted fantasy world. On top of all this, McGirt overlays likeable characters (the titular Jason Cosmo, in particular), self-aware archetypes (He Who Sits On The Porch, a version of the classic wizened soothsayer), and offhand references to odd legends (an all-powerful race of pink bunnies), making this tale of destiny and divine providence into a little something more. It isn't perfect by any stretch; I found isolated bits to be a little clumsy and heavy-handed. In particular, the sisters Sapphrina and Rubis seem to have no motivations of their own, other than to be dragged along behind the heroes (though, cleverly, their names suggest their status as simple adornments); Sapphrina's constant fawning over Jason Cosmo is a little overdone as well (at least to this reader). Likewise, the portrayal of the goddess Rae is just silly; I understand that she is supposed to be a caricature of contemporary "sun-worshipper" culture (especially of the 1980s, when this was written), of course, and one expects vanity from goddesses, but not unrelenting vapidity. All in all, it's quite good for a first novel, especially a first novel that falls within that most treacherous of terrains called "humorous fantasy," a subgenre that proves challenging even for experienced writers. Despite some missteps, Jason Cosmo provides an entertaining few hours, which is all that we have the right to ask from any novel. I must echo the sentiments of other reviews and lament the fact that this novel (and its sequels, which I have not read) are no longer in print. McGirt's website (http://www.sff.net/people/mcgirt/) makes a vague reference to a "relaunch" of the series, and provides sample chapters of new adventures, but is

I laughed until I hurt!

I loved this book. As an adult I could appreciate the wit of the writing, and still "get" the childishness of the jokes. I laughed until I was actually asked to leave my residence until I could act like "an adult" by my roommates. This is a very fun read and I highly recommend it.

The most read book in my library...

I first read this book when I was in 9th grade (1990), and I can still pick it up today and find some new slice of humor that I didn't get the first, or the second, or the third time that I read it. Dan is an amazing writer, and I just can't tell you how many bad weeks have ended in laughter because Jason Cosmos was there to cheer me up. It's a shame that it's out of print, because it really is a gem. Hey, I feel so strongly about this book that I'll lend you my own signed copy if you can't find a used one!

Power!!

It's got life.. humor, tragedy, love, action.. it's the greatest fantasy book ever. Of course if you're as fun and easy going as me, and love the simple things in life and love to laugh.. this book is for us.

The best humorous fantasy book I have ever read!

Yes, believe the author, this is truly the funniest fantasy book I have ever read! The whole trilogy is great too. Do you like Esther Freisner's Gnome Man's Land and Harpy High? Those are great books, but I honestly think Dan McGirt's works are funnier. I would recommend these books to anyone, fantasy fans or not. I hope he writes more books, and soon!