Dix may be an ass, but you’ll be cheering for him in the end.
Kudos to Loved Mars, Hated the Food by Willie Handler. Willie knows how to handle his characters, words, and culture in a tale that is equal parts comedy, commentary, and just plain fun.
Dixon Jenner, the main character, is a selfish, broke, lazy jerk who, on earth, would be someone you would go out of your way to avoid. He can’t hold down a job, is the failure of his family, until he lies his way into a five-year long mission to another planet. When an explosion strands him there, alone, he rises to the occasion to become a shining example as the top, and only man, on Mars. At first I wanted to warn the Martians not to hang out with him, but through many incidents which were handled with humor and wit and heart, I found myself cheering for him, even though he may turn everything upside-down for the subterranean inhabitants.
It’s rare to find a Sci-Fi comedy that works without relying on old tropes, but Handler manages, giving the book a fresh feel. There’s a sense of self-deprecating humor, as if the author wants you to laugh with him, and it works. There are times though, when I wanted to shake the main character and tell him to stop sticking his nose in an alien culture, and although I’m curious what happens past the final pages, the mystery is part of the fun.
The only problem I had with the book is not found within its pages, but instead the synopsis, it’s just too damn long. It could be cut in half, but it doesn’t cost the book any points, which I give a solid four and a half out of five, with a sprinkle more for taste.