J.C. McGowan's debut science-fiction novel blends the wry humor of Kurt Vonnegut with the cosmic scope of Carl Sagan and the edgy near-future scenarios of William Gibson.
Male
100 years old
Andromeda Station, California
United States
About me: J.C. McGowan's science-fiction debut The Big God Network blends the wry humor of Kurt Vonnegut with the cosmic scope of Carl Sagan and the edgy near-future scenarios of William Gibson. The novel explores the clash of culture and religion in cyberspace and post-America; the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and higher powers; and the socio-cultural impact of "virtual life" on our existence, as it takes us on an imaginative, breathless ride through Bali, Tokyo, California, and exotic virtual worlds that range from the fantasy realm of Nigh Errant to the erotic Yabyum Palace to the evangelical Church of the Good Citizen.
THE SETTING: Twenty years from now, the United States has fragmented into liberal Pacifica (the West Coast), theocratic New America (the heartland), and other new nations. Against this contentious political backdrop, Baba Ed, the leader of a wealthy UFO cult, seeks contact with extraterrestrial civilizations via the Channel, a breakthrough communications interface with a high “AIQ” that renders the most secure system vulnerable, and threatens the new balance of power. A dystopic New America ruled by evangelicals hopes to bring Pacifica back into the fold, and the Channel may offer the means to subdue the “secular” region. Or to protect it, if the book’s hero Franz Sampaio is successful in his quest.
THE COVER was designed by graphic artist Cristina Portella, who has created album covers for Milton Nascimento, Maria Rita, Gilberto Gil, and other renowned Brazilian musicians.
Author Nomi Prins ("Jacked: How 'Conservatives' Are Picking Your Pocket"): "A masterpiece tale of techno sci-fi [and] political-cultural-economic commentary...incredibly funny, sardonic, visionary, and well-written....Moving at page-turning speed, the story has lots of action and well-drawn characters. But, broader than that, The Big God Network's themes are scarily potential outcomes based on the country's current direction. The details, humor and observations are exquisite. Hopefully, McGowan is working on the next installment, because once you put the Big God Network down, you want to pick it up again."
Astrophysicist and science-fiction author Mike Brotherton: "Interesting and entertaining...Insightful political commentary."
Rex Allen of Curled Up With A Good Book: "[McGowan's] extrapolation of current technological and societal trends is highly believable."
Gwendolyn Toynton of the online journal Primordial Traditions: "The Big God Network reveals a unique alternative vision of the future, with richly portrayed characters and well thought out scenarios that are both creative and intelligent....abounds with references to many different spiritual and religious traditions, and these references serve to illustrate the author’s knowledge in this area....Anyone who enjoys William Gibson and knows even a little about religion or mythology will enjoy reading this book."
Author Marc Ladewig ("Odysseus: The Epic Myth of the Hero"): "The Big God Network is written in a page turning style. The scenes flow quickly like cuts in an action movie. The story is a romp, jumping back and forth from Bali to Japan to California, and it is fun...But there is an aspect to this first novel of J.C. McGowan which lifts it above the mere level of comedy and elevates it to true social commentary. “Virtual Reality As Obsession” is handled with deep insight and compassion, psychologically and socially. The nausea of artificiality and yearning for real life experience and true love of the character Takeshi ring true not only in the novel but also in our day and age as well among video game addicted thirty-somethings."
Media-Studies professor Reeves Medaglia-Miller at George Brown College/Ryerson University: "It is written in an extremely tight, quickly intercut cinematic style that is new and refreshing…As in any great work by Vonnegut, Heinlein, or Leven…multiple plotlines gradually merge up until the stunning conclusion, when the characters come together in a grand Fellini-style finale of both mayhem and resolution. The author must have used a complex flowchart in order to make sense of his many narrative threads, and yet, for the reader, the flow is smooth and effortless."
Baz at Amazon.com: "J.C. McGowan takes the cultural wars going on in the USA today to their logical conclusion. In a not-too-distant future the USA has split, literally, into red and blue states. There is the saintly Pacifica, containing California, Oregon etc (think of a country run by the radio network of the same name and you're pretty close) and then there's the sinister Jesus-land of N'Am (New America), a run-down heartland hell-on-earth run by and for cynical televangelist plutocrats. This makes for truly compulsive reading for religion-obsessed conspiracy theorists... (awright, I admit it). But it's also a real page-turner, with a nice sci-fi mystery, and it's very funny. The purple passages of randy (but virtual) sexual encounters had me hooting. Everything is gloriously over the top here, but the author just gleefully glides you along, and his subtle comic barbs just get sharper."
Brian Keith at Amazon.com: "McGowan's excellent debut sci-fi novel is a good take on the concept of self -awareness on the net, mixed with the depressing specter of End-timers running the government. He keeps it light with very aptly named products and corporate mergers of the future. The line between reality and virtual worlds is convincingly blurred as the story unfolds and the action is well written and fast paced."
PRAISE FROM RE-VO, the Mad Prophet of Rock: "BGN blew me away. It's exciting, funny, sometimes poignant, and always witty. It uses the powerful medium of sci-fi to make numerous statements about important global transformation issues, from ecology through oppression through fundamentalist dogma....It’s the best sci-fi since Vonnegut."
Celtoid9 at Amazon.com: "McGowan's narrative is a multicultural melange that maintains its sharpness, humor and edge at every turn, with an occasional romp in the hay thrown in to spice up the narrative. Readers should be ready and willing to travel anywhere at a moment's notice, because Big God Network will take them to far-flung corners of the world at a breakneck pace, from Bali and Tokyo to LA and then back to cyberspace again. Fans of the cyberpunk masters, such as William Gibson and Bruce Sterling, will be right at home here."
Praise from Robert Winters:
"Loved THE BIG GOD NETWORK
Viva Pacifica!
Let the secession begin!"
Emily: I am very distressed that there is a Pig Pod network. When I am immersing at the Yabyum Palace, the last thing I would want to consider would be the thought that some large porcine creature in a Cellini was at the other end of the line. I am all for animal rights, and, as you know, my husband was a hog farmer, but when I want to manifest and do the nasty with Takeshi, I’d be sickened at the idea that Osgood Pods were in the hands of malodorous farm animals. Who came up with this idea in the first place? And where does it end? Chickens? Goats? Horses? Good Lord! The humanity of it all… Arwin: Excuse me, Emily... Emily: ... it’s a disgrace to the good name of Cybersex... Arwin: Emily! Emily: Yes? Arwin: That's "Big GOD." The book is called "Big GOD Network," not "PIG POD Network." It is called a "Big GOD" Network because Mr. McGowan's brilliant, groundbreaking science-fiction masterpiece forecasts a time when the American government will be completely dominated by reactionary, right-wing fundamentalists rather than secular governors. It's "Big GOD Network," not "PIG POD Network." Emily: Ohhh... well, that's a very different thing altogether......... Never mind.
Hi there Big God Network Thanks for being friends, really appreciate it! really love your site and what you stand for...good luck here on myspace and whatever you have set your sights on in the future!:-)
Maybe you want a quick peek at what I do...just take a look at myspace...
As always, I feel compelled, in the interests of public safety, to tell all who will listen, and all who read this warning, about the dangers of J.C. McGowan's eco-fascistic manifesto, "The Big God Network." Once again, I urge all who read this commentary to rush immediately to the Amazon website and purchase a copy of "The Big God Network," in order that you may understand fully the incendiary nature of this controversial anti-American work. Indeed, buy TWO copies or more, and distribute them to your family members and concerned friends. Is it any wonder that Bill O'Reilly has labelled BGN the most damaging literary work in the history of American publishing? In the name of all that is decent, save yourself and your beloved family members... be patriotic... be a good neighbor and a concerned citizen. Learn what all the fuss is about: Buy "The Big God Network" before it is too late.
Hi Big God Network ... Touching bases…. inviting you to watch some of our Shaman Strings videos or listen to new tracks. Please let us know (comment) what you think about our new music. Soul Peace to all on the path, Scot ;=)
PS recently uploaded new songs from a May 13 recording, ‘Drink from the Cup (of Life)’ and ‘Perfect Lessons’
Just passing through in a vain attempt to catch up on comments on here..Lol..I have absolutely no chance of ever catching up..But I thought I could at least say drop in and say, Hi and wish you an awesome week ahead, take care, much love, Wendy, x
I just wanted to stop by and say HELLO, Thank you to everyone for your kind wishes, I am getting better, it is just slowly, ( Patience not my best virtue “LOL” ) And I am hoping that all is going well in your World with you and your loved ones, and May You all have a magical week, HUGS luv Rhonda xx
Here's an excerpt from an article that was recently posted in Cuba's Juventud Rebelde:
"J.C. McGowan's brave crítica of the American Imperialist running dogs and their theocratic obsession with moral conservativist doctrina strikes an important blow against La doctrina Bush and against the oppressive Fascistic regime of the Mayoría Moral. El Che would have taken great pride in reading about the enlightened Communists known as the Cosmogaians, and about their continued attempts to overthrow the brutal New America. Since Raul Castro officially endorsed the McGowan book, it has become a national sensation, although it is suspected that most copies are bootlegged. Throughout the Santa Clara region, the word of The Big God Network has spread like incendios, and the book is being circulated with the urgency and respect worthy of a revered political manifesto. In speakeasys, after much Ron is consumed, the people chant 'Viva Chris!'" As an act of anti-Imperialist protest, Señor McGowan lives with his familia in Rio. (Hector Revez, Juventud Rebelde, May 5, 2009)
THANK YOU.. for welcoming me ....i will learn N enjoy...your present with in the Links...of Friendship.. be well ...be happy....God bless U n Family...
Thank you for adding me as your friend. I just finished the 20th episode for Confidential Encounters plus I'm preparing to direct the 2 hour pilot so I have to study those scripts while I write new stories. I always add God in the episodes where I can.
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