February 11, 2008
The title of this book by second-time novelist Josh Emmons (The Loss of Leon Meed
) is taken from the fictitious (but perhaps Scientology-inspired) cult around which much of the ideas and action spin. The PASE handbook, written by creepy messiah Montgomery Shoal, combines pseudo-science, self-help and religious fervor, while advocating abstention from sex and addictive substances. The novel’s protagonist, Jack Smith, works in finance and has a penchant for painkillers, alcohol, junk food and pornography. An indiscreet after-hours visit to a strip club paid for by a company credit card leads to an ultimatum from his boss: become a “Paser” or be fired. At the same time, Jack finds himself repeatedly running into Mary Shoal, the daughter of the PASE founder. His dalliance with her results in his kidnapping and “re-education” at the hands of the PASE organization. Jack’s resistance is gradually replaced with acceptance, but the blithe PASE way of life is darkened by apocalyptic predictions, forcing Jack to question his conversion. Emmons’s yarn is engaging, but he can’t seem to decide whether PASE is a force for good or evil in Pasers’ lives, and the book fails to fully consider the ramifications of the issues it raises.