Good Omens concerning Branches and Limbs

I recently picked up Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's Good Omens. It was written in the year that I was born. I admit that I am not a Pratchett fan, and I have heard that his other books are notoriously irreverent. The interesting aspect of the book is that Gaiman's bizarre storytelling and Pratchett's sense of un-sacred humor make for a book that feels almost like Douglas Adams. Mr. Adams work was wry, clever, witty, absurd, and had many aside jokes contained in asterisks.

If Douglas Adams had written about the Apocalpyse, it would have rang pretty close to Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.

The tale concerns the birth of the Antichrist and his destiny to end the world as we know it. Crowley, a vaguely unethical demon, is in charge of transporting the child to his adoptive parents - ambassadors from an American embassy. Only, things don't go according to plan - the satanist nuns of the chattering order of Saint Beryl, who are responsible for the switch, end up botching it all up horribly, giving the Antichrist to a benign English family who lives in the Country.

The baby given to the American Ambassador is watched carefully by both Crowley and his heavenly "opponent" Aziraphale. These two have taken residence on earth and are reluctant to see the world end if at all possible. Crowley loves his Bentley (but every cassette tape left in the car for more than two weeks morphs into a copy of 'the best of Queen'), and Aziraphale loves books (he owns a bookshop to store his collection, and refuses to allow any 'customers' to take from his shelves any of his prizes through a strategy of musty odor and calculated rudeness.). Unfortunately, the child, who was named Warlock and received contradicting educations of good and evil. He reaches the age of his destiny, and as Crowley and Aziraphale watch... nothing happens!

It is a scramble to find what happened to the Antichrist child. It turns out that he is unconsciously affecting the his hometown with ideal weather and diverts change from happening. His name is Adam, and he is one of 'Them," the local gang of four kids. Pepper, who is the lone female of the group is raised by her feminist mom to stick up for herself. Brian, the "pigpen" of the group, eternally exploring and getting mucky. Last of all is Wensleydale, the studious young nerd of the group, whose chief interests are science and logic. Adam's gang of Them have a rival gang called Greasy Johnson and the Johnsonites. They are name-callers and a vaguely blunt thing in the side of Them. The Johnsonites are never quite effective enough to be a real thorn. Adam receives a hellhound for his infernal destiny, which he expects to be a yapper, and thus the hellhound takes on that shape. The hellhound is named 'Dog' by Adam, 'since that will keep things simpler.' As Adam realizes his destiny, the world around him nears its end.

Meanwhile, a descendent of Agnes Nutter arrives in Adam's hometown of Lower Tadfield, and finds that the arcane landlines are shifting as a natural guard surrounding Tadfield. Anathema Device owns the prophesies of Agnes Nutter, who is the only modern oracle who was correct in her predictions. Frustratingly, though Agnes has accurate predictions, they are worded in Olde English from scenes she 'remembers' from a past position into the future of her family tree. Her predictions are so hard to comprehend, that most of the time, people of the Nutter descent tend to realize them fulfilled only after the fact. Anathema is the best witch that has come in the Nutter clan, and her scrutiny lays out that the end is coming. But what no one expects is that the sweet natured Adam will the the means to that end...

What I liked best about the book is the passage concerning the four OTHER horsemen of the Apocalypse - they are a band of four dim-witted bikers who follow in the cycle trail of War, Pollution, Famine, and Death. Their realization of what an honor it is to be riding in the wake of the original 'Hell's Angels' causes them to pick out their own names. They end up with Grievous Bodily Harm, Cruelty to Animals, Really Cool People, and Things Not Working Properly Even After You Give Them A Good Thumping. (The stories behind the names had me smiling for minutes afterward.).

Limbs and Branches, by Jon Foreman

He is the lead singer of the band Switchfoot, and this is the second of his two solo projects. His voice shines as it accompanies rough acoustic and percussion, heavy use of tambourines and classical (slightly out of tune) guitars. Foreman is distinguishable for the way his pitch wavers just above a spoken whine, it is the distinct sense of slight discord that has made for Switchfoot's fame and success. This stripped down effort is a laid back and thoughtful in its scope and simplicity. I have really been enjoying listening to this raw side of Foreman's talents. It is understated and well spoken. My favorite track is the fourth, "Resurrect Me," and next is the facetious eighth song which is a tongue and cheek self criticism for being a shallow music act.

Midterms are fading

My pulse calms in the new peace

I will enjoy rest...