Asthmatica

R. Gordon Moyles is professor emeritus of English at the University of
Alberta. He is co-author of Imperial Dreams and Colonial Realities:
British Views of Canada, 1880–1914, author of The Salvation Army and
the Public, and editor of “Improved by Cult

Asthmatica, we are told, is the first collection of “comedic
fiction” from this writer. Dare we hope that it might be the last? Or
even better, that Fiorentino might turn his obvious talents (he is,
indeed, a very good writer) to something more worthy of them? It’s
quite possible, of course, that the humour buds of some people might
quicken at the thought of reading about a young, fat, asthmatic who
makes love to a vacuum cleaner, a seemingly canny aunt who teaches her
nephew how to drive drunk, or senseless beatings and other such imagined
(remembered?) juvenile escapades. If so, pick up this small book and
enjoy it. For this reviewer, it seemed less comedic than nauseating.
Halfway through the book, the writer says, “Dear Reader. You’re
probably bored by now. God knows, I am.” I was and I wondered, if he
was as well, why didn’t he quit there and then, and spare unsuspecting
readers the ignominy of wading through such puerility.