How to Save the Universe Again.

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

How to be a Hero on Earth 5 and its sequel, How to Save the Universe Again, are fast-paced science fiction adventure novels in which John Fitzgerald, a normal and slightly geeky 17-year-old, gets swept up in the time-space continuum and ends up in a parallel world. The physics governing our world no longer apply, so bizarre occurrences are normal and simple thoughts become distorted reality. In the first book, John and the motley band of friends who crossed over with him (termed non-dimensionals) have to battle killer cutlery, a demented gun-toting nun, a lethal game show, and other life-threatening escapades as they make their way to Scotland and a chance to return to their Earth. They succeed but also pull through two characters from that world—a pathetic double of John’s father and the helpful pilot who guided their way back.

In the sequel, John’s parents are kidnapped and taken into the parallel universe and it’s up to John and his friends from both dimensions to save them. Once again, Payne unleashes his imagination and creates situations that are as ludicrous as they are violent, so that the heroes barely escape with their lives as they wisecrack their way through the novel.

Fans of Monty Python’s absurdity and the Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy-style cosmic parodies will be attracted to these zany adventures. Both books are filled with pithy dialogue and a sometimes puerile humour (phlegm and flatulence as comedic effect) that will ensure a younger audience will also enjoy this wild ride. Recommended with reservations.