Page 45 Review by Jonathan
"So there must be something else, right? I mean another reason why you're here. Something you see sometimes. Something unusual."
"Do you believe in the existence of extra-terrestrial civilisations?"
"Off the top I'm not sure."
"What if I told you that I was in contact with them?"
"Hm."
"You don't believe me."
"Since you say so, I'm obliged at least to take it into consideration."
"How are you in contact with them?"
"Telepathy. I think they choose to instruct me."
"And why would they choose you?"
"Because I can see the signals. Not everybody is able to."
"When was your last 'contact'?"
"Last night. It was unbelievable. Do you understand what I am saying?"
Raniero does understand indeed. As a psychologist at the hospital where Dora is being 'treated' at her parents' behest, primarily because they are disgusted / concerned about her membership of a cult called the New Convention, which is rapidly rising in popularity amongst the youth championing emotional and sexual non-exclusivity, polyamory, he might be inclined to think her somewhat unhinged. But after his late-night car crash and subsequent strange experience in a field involving an inexplicable triangular light show, well, let's just say his mind is somewhat suddenly open to the possibility that Dora could be telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Ahhh... we all adore Fior, the creator of former Page 45 Comicbook Of The Month 5000KM PER SECOND and recent collection of shorts BLACKBIRD DAYS. This full-length work, was actually published about a year ago, but we just didn't get round to reviewing it at the time. Set in 2048, it tells the unlikely proto-romance of Raniero and Dora who are drawn together during a period of intense uncertainty in both their lives. As Raniero's beloved wife prepares to leave him, primarily for his stubborn, steadfast refusal to move from the tranquil countryside to the bustling city, it seems, the chaos that the arrival of Dora, and the lights, brings into his life precipitates an unexpected transformation of his world. And indeed the world…
With a strong cast of additional characters such as Raniero's wife Nadia, consultant friend and philanderer Walter, local farmer and fixer Franco and Dora's odd friend from the New Convention Rossella, I found this work utterly brilliant in every respect. It strongly minded me of the prose work 'Atomised' by Michel Houellebecq, for its themes, general tone and its quirky characters. I was absolutely captivated from start to finish, and much like 'Atomised', I didn't see the ending, or endings, for the characters coming at all.
Art-wise, the chameleonic genius is at it again. I commented in my review of BLACKBIRD DAYS about his impressive ability to employ a myriad art styles masterfully. Well, here he is once more with yet another different approach, a black and white treatment that manages to combine ligne claire line work and smudgy black charcoal shading. It gives the most seductive art house cinema feel to it all, and indeed the depiction of Raniero's wife makes me think of the delightful Italian actress Monica Bellucci.
I think the cover alone manages to sum up practically every aspect of what you are about to experience on the pages within, which is no mean feat in itself. The image of Dora, both simultaneously vulnerable and alluring, looking directly out at the reader, standing in a posture that indicates she is yearning for acceptance yet possessing of a deep wisdom, with her sparkling dress and the disorientatingly kaleidoscopically triangular background, is a masterpiece in and of itself. Another contender for my favourite book I've read this year!
