'the four fingers of death' by rick moody is perhaps one of the best contemporary science fiction novels i have read in a long time, although it's unlike any science fiction novel i have read. i have nothing but admiration for the writer, a man who has taken a pulp movie 'the crawling hand' from the fifties and transformed it via a novelization narrative that is itself part labyrinthine, part kaleidoscopic vision, rick moody captures the details of a trip to mars like you have never imagined, taking us on tangents that are shocking and bizarre, tragic and very funny. 

this is an emotional read, with the theme of longing present as we watch humanity fail in every way possible. the book is dedicated to kurt vonnegut,and i can feel his spirit in the pages. he would have loved this book as much as i do. 

anyway i hope people rush out and read it, there's some great writing here.

i recall when i saw the film 'armageddon' years ago i said that it should have had a homosexual sub plot and the ben afflick character should have fallen in love with bruce willis, as the film was really missing this yet it was obvious the narrative required it. here in the four fingers, moody totally gets it right. there's the most transgressive sex in space scene i've read yet it's such a joy to read, very funny. there's plenty of moments in this novel that will challenge you, plenty of moments where you will feel the same longing as the characters, especially the encounter with the mars rover which stands out for me as very touching.