Before you can appreciate his novel SZMONHFU you have to identify with the author, Hertzan Chimera. Therefore, I am going probe inside Hertzan Chimera's psyche and enlighten you in an exclusive review of both the author and the book SZMONHFU. "Hold on to your hats!"

It is essential you are prepared to read SZMONHFU and comprehend the diverse style and tone it is written in. Not just anyone can pull this caliber of writing off and conjure up a series impeccable sex and carnage because they fear the mediocre views of "what is acceptable, tolerated, and appreciated" from "politically correct" markets, readers, and editors. No bars held, Mr. Chimera lets it all hang out. (So to speak)

Hertzan Chimera's extraordinary artwork, also is not for the weak tummy, weak mind, or the squeamish. His outrageous work of genius is only for the open minded and the unhindered. You will use your mind when you look into the coverart of SZMONHFU. That alone, will give you the frame of mind of Mr. Chimera and would even spawn a humbling reaction of out Picasso. Hertzan Chimera's perception is exposed in his story SZMONHFU.

From his 1990 release of Red Hedz, SZMONFHU continued with his main character, Jane Louxis. Jane is a lip-smacking, mouth-watering character that has very loose morals but isn't always what you think she is. And her sexual liaisons are usually met with a gruesome outcome. The story is filled with brutal deaths teeming with blood and gore. Although, Chimera spends a lot of time in describing events in excessive detail you do not lose the mental picture of what is taking place in the scene. One factor I am convinced of, while you read about Jane and where she came from and what she is about; you ie the reader will be in awe at the intelligence Chimera struts, in his sequence of events that leads to each deadly encounter revolving around voluptuous Jane Louxis.

EraserHead Press published SZMONHFU and I take my hat off to them. They know when a writer is endowed with an outstanding ability to write a well crafted story and tell it in any flavor he so chooses. Without having to sugar-coat the visuals so it is easier for the fainthearted to swallow. EraserHead Press acknowledges that storytelling belongs to the person responsible for creating the words that entertains and excites its readers, the author. In this case, Hertzan Chimera.

Before I start this review I'll have to qualify what I'm about to say. I like my science fiction in two main varieties. The Golden Age variety as written by Isaac Asimov, Clifford Simak, Lester Del Rey, Robert Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke and similarly by later authorts such as Mike Resnick; and modern hard SF by such authors as Stephen Baxter, Gregory Benford, and Arthur C. Clarke (again?).

What I generally don't go for in SF is the more chaotic, sexually charged, violent SF as is exhibited in this book. This is not to say that I am now going to say that this book is terrible - it isn't - or recommend that you avoid it - you shouldn't.

Indeed there is a lot contained in this book's pages to recommend it. The author's style is very good, his characterisations and desciptions very evocative and his ideas certainly seem to be original. If you can cope a little better with the subject matter then you will almost certainly enjoy this

The story starts with our lead character Jane, being interviewed by two police officers who are getting frustrated at their lack of progress in interviewing her, when she disappears through a solid wall. This is but the first of many jumps between times and places that she experiences in a manner beyond her control. This is not the only thing that happens around her, as is illustrated when she encounters an artist in Nottingham called Paul, for strange and often very bloody things happen when she has sex. And that's just the start of it...

I'm reminded here of 'Naked Lunch' in places (both the book and film) and certainly if you are a fan of either David Cronenberg's films or William S. Burroughs's writing then you will probably find a lot here that will please you. Hertzan Chimera's usage of the language here is occassionally sublime and his sideways steps away from any reality I know will keep you on your toes when reading this. Just take one look at the cover image - it'll give you a good feeling for the story.

So, although as I stated at the start of this review, this is not 'my thing'. However I can imagine this book being just the kind of thing for a lot of surreal SF fans out there, for this book certainly is out there.