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metaphorosis's review
3.0
reviews.metaphorosis.com
3.5 stars
Tom Jones is a simple Mammals (Aquatic) Communicator aboard Profundis, a vast submarine that's the sole survivor of a nuclear war. Tom, called to play a part in the commanding officer's sudden and self-directed elevation to divinity, quickly finds himself out of his depth.
Profundis is profoundly funny as Tom struggles through his appointed role as Jesus, complete with versions of money changers, Pilate, and Mary Magdalene. He's baffled by the proceedings, and naturally has no idea what's really happening. There's a certain deus ex machina element to the story which adds its own level of humor, and which Cowper pulls off nicely
It's true that Cowper leaves quite a number of loose ends dangling. The ending is not quite in sync with the rest of the story. Tom passes in and out of character. But the whole is funny enough, and carried off well enough, that it doesn't really matter. It's not as strong a book as it could have been, but it's a fun, light read.
If you haven't encountered Cowper, this is as good a place as any to start. Profundis is not exactly exemplary, and far from his best, but it is enjoyable.
chramies's review
4.0
Again the underrated Cowper who is to British SF what Bob Leman is to American horror. Probably. If he isn't mistaken for Robert Holdstock it's Chris Priest or Keith Roberts, though only the last was of a similar vintage, and only one (Priest) is still with us. But he was his own man and wrote in a variety of sub-genres, here going for some slightly subversive humour.
But I did read this some years ago.
But I did read this some years ago.
sexton_blake's review
4.0
Beneath the seas of post-apocalyptic Earth, the commander of a city-sized submarine decides he is God and the vessel’s computer is the Holy Ghost. What’s needed now is a Messiah. Enter Tom Jones, who isn’t the Messiah, or even a very naughty boy, but merely a dolphin handler with the gift of telekinesis. From these ingredients, Cowper mixes an entertaining satire, with many genuinely funny scenes (I find that humour rarely delivers in science fiction. Here, it does). The plot gets a bit frayed in the last quarter, and the ending is disappointing, but those faults aside, this was well worth the time and I’ll definitely be reading more Cowper soon.
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