This Mind-Bending Book Is About a Guy Who Ran for President Because Aliens Told Him To
; ANO is a finalist at the 41st National Book Awards.
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(SPOT.ph) At first glance, the title of Zero A.D.'s new book piques one's curiosity. A punctuation mark and a three-letter word don't reveal much. The visual tone of the cover portrays themes of evil, darkness, and death, suggesting an exploration of the darker aspects of human nature, morality, or existential questions about life and death.
To fully comprehend its depth, one must delve into the entire content, acknowledging that the narrative extends beyond initial impressions. In Zero AD's ; ANO, readers should brace themselves for an unconventional reading experience—a mind-bending journey, to be precise. It is one of the finalists at the 41st National Book Awards for the Short Fiction (Filipino) category.
At the heart of the story is ANO, the narrator/author, and central to his narrative is Allen Carrion—an ordinary-looking guy on the brink of ending his life, saved by aliens who instruct him to run for President of the Philippines, assuring him of an eventual victory. Revolving around these intriguing characters are many fascinating creatures, both real and phantasmagorical, familiar to every Filipino, particularly those who keep abreast of news and current events.
The book is a satire with a genre-diverse narrative that explores various issues from previous years, including the war on drugs, extrajudicial killings, fake news, fanaticism, corruption, alliances with communist countries, and other politics-related controversies.
Against this political backdrop, different stories unfold, such as a man who falls in love with his parallel universe self, a zombie cult leader who sacrifices the lives of his followers, a humanoid robot grappling with an existential crisis, an aswang who picks drug addicts as victims, and an anti-government professor who fakes his own death, among many other strange yet colorful characters.
Easy but Challenging Read
Part of the unlikely charm of Zero A.D.’s work lies in the fact that the book offers both an easy and challenging read.
Firstly, the ease is derived from the relatability of the characters, especially well-known political figures. Readers bring their own knowledge and opinions about these figures into the reading experience, creating a more interactive and engaging encounter. Secondly, the themes explored in the book are also relatable, allowing readers to connect with the content easily and making the story more accessible. Lastly, Zero A.D. employs a conversational tone, making the narrative feel approachable and imaginative. The story delves into events from past years, utilizing familiar places, settings, and, most importantly, personalities. Readers acquainted with the actions and personas of these figures may find humor or insight in the fictionalized portrayal, adding depth to the storytelling.
The challenging aspect arises from the chosen format, and the reading experience varies depending on one's approach to the book.
The story is presented in a non-linear or non-sequential fashion, demanding a lot from readers due to its unique structure. It requires focus and attention, resembling the assembly of a puzzle to make sense of the entire narrative.
Zero A.D. offers two distinct ways to read the book. The first approach is a fragmented or disjoined method, similar to reading a short story collection. The second approach involves reading the narrative sequentially, akin to reading a cohesive novel. Zero A.D. provides an alternative table of contents at the back of the book for those choosing this approach.
In the book introduction of Raymundo Reyes Jr., he provides readers with tips on how to navigate potential confusion. For instance, the numbers indicated at the beginning of each of the 10 chapters signify the narrator’s age at the time of the events. Additionally, each chapter is subdivided into sections, using numeral numbers to guide readers through the sequence of the story.
Beyond the chosen format, the complexity of the book stems from its meticulous analysis and unveiling of societal issues that persist due to either the absence of viable solutions or a prevailing sense of apathy. The book addresses various "unresolved challenges" or "persistent social problems," including political instability, poverty, corruption, injustice, and human rights issues.
Breakthrough in Storytelling
Zero A.D.'s breakthrough lies in his innovative narrative structures, unconventional perspectives, and effective integration of diverse genres throughout the entire book, engaging audiences in novel ways.
Departing from traditional storytelling methods, he creatively conveys social commentaries akin to confessing a sin without explicitly naming it. The lines are witty, funny, and sarcastic, provided one grasps the context.
While some readers may find the book demanding, Zero A.D.'s ; ANO ultimately pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling, offering an immersive and impactful experience that resonates with contemporary readers seeking fresh and innovative narratives. It’s worth noting that this book caters to audiences who desire more than casual reading.
; ANO (University of the Philippines Press, 2022) by Zero A.D. is available on Shopee and Lazada for P470.
Rita T. dela Cruz is a science writer and editor at a government research institute. She finished BS Development Communication from UPLB and MA Filipino (Malikhaing Pagsulat) from UP Diliman. Her first book, Solo Flight: Mga Kuwento (Isang Balangay Media Productions, 2021) is available on Lazada for P556.
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