cover image The Book of Ralph

The Book of Ralph

Christopher Steinsvold. Medallion, $14.99 trade paper (416p) ISBN 978-1-942546-34-4

Steinsvold shows his philosopher roots in this offbeat first-contact story. On Jan. 28, 2022, the anniversary of Claes Oldenburg’s birth and one year after the giant message “DRINK DIET COKE” appeared on the surface of the Moon, a vessel in the shape of an enormous can of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup lowers itself gently to the White House lawn. Out of this ship emerges an alien who calls himself Ralph. National security adviser Francis Holliday, secretary of defense Samantha Weingarten, and scientist Markus West are the first to meet him. Despite Ralph’s distinctly playful side, he comes bringing a dire message: evil aliens from the planet Kardash will arrive on Earth in just three days, and they will wish to be seen as gods. Lengthy passages feature Ralph relaying his philosophy to Markus while bizarre and violent events unfold. This juxtaposition of imminent doom and intellectual seminar gives the work an odd feel and lessens the impact of both. It also fails to be as humorous as the premise suggests. This somewhat quirky tale contains little of either comedy or action. Agent: Mark Gottlieb, Trident Media Group. (Aug.)