FATA MORGANA by Joel Chace, reviewed by Hex'm Jai

 

Fata Morgana:  noun a mirage.

More precisely, a complex form of superior mirage whose etymology derives from Morgana Le Fay, the Arthurian sorceress/illusionist.

Fata Morgana:  A recent book authored by Joel Chace and published by Unlikely Books.

So, my bibliophiles, let’s discuss an ancient concept.  A concept that is, at the very least, as old as our sentient sapien brains.  A concept that is the philosophical basis for most of the world’s religions.  A concept that is continuously imparted through our communication whether spoken or through symbols.  A concept so ingrained into the human psyche that is the very basis of meaning!!!!

The primary operation of this concept is contrast and comparison: Black/White, Light/Dark, Night/Day, Sun/Moon, Male/Female, Down/Up, Negative/Positive, Everything/Nothing; Blue or Red, Round or Square,etc.

Through this operation we are provided meaning, or so goes the theory.

The Dyad.

D=AB or AB = D

Why discuss this?  What could this possibly have to do with Fata Morgana?  Well, let’s address that right now.

In Fata Morgana Mr. Chace provides us a slim potent tome that is much greater than the sum of its parts on multiple levels.   First, though only a total of 81 pages, this packs a powerful poetic punch with the meaning of the individual pieces and their overall cohesion far exceeding expectations.  Second, we are given a flawless execution in experimental form that comes off with the polished shine of an expert and delivers the overall experience through its implementation.

 

The content of this book is provided by 2 voices, the Dyad.  I do not refer to this as a dichotomy as that would imply diametrically opposed voices relying solely on contrast alone, and though certainly the case in some pieces it is not the defining trait of the relationship of these voices.  More often, the play between these voices is complimentary or they work in tandem, one supporting the other.  Voice A provides us the straightforward poetic narrative that is clear, concise and tangible and in itself well executed.  Voice B (Italicized) on the other is more fluid, sometimes dropping crumbs of wisdom in fortune cookie fashion, sometimes historical foot note or sometimes providing that subconscious lens of perspective.

The third Voice.  Voice D.  The voice of Fata Morgana.  

Though both Voices A and B are by themselves coherent and cohesive the genius of this book lies in spaces in between.  It is in this in between space that Voice D resides.  The tension of Voices A and B, like poles or magnets, is what creates this space and therefore gives Voice D access to the reader and the reader access to Voice D.  Here is the Meta-Voice of Meaning, The Fata Morgana.

Fata Morgana is available at Amazon and published via Unlikely Books.

Fata Morgana

Unlikely Books

Joel Chace has published work in print and electronic magazines such as Eratio, Otoliths, Word For/Word, and Golden Handcuff s Review. Most recent collections include Scorpions, from Unlikely Books, Humors, from Paloma Press, and Threnodies, from Moria Books.