What is there to say about a book that has the name of action movie star Keanu Reeves and multi-award winning new-weird fantasy writer China Miéville (known for The City and The City, Embassytown and Perdido Street Station among others) on the cover? No matter what the subject matter, The Book of Elsewhere is a book that almost demands to be read, just to see what this alchemy might have created. This collaboration does not come out of nowhere. The Book of Elsewhere is based on BZRKR, a graphic novel series written by Reeves and Matt Kindt and illustrated by Ron Garney. Those unfamiliar with the series may be unsurprised to know that the main character, as drawn, looks a lot like the star of the John Wick movies, and for good reason.
The Book of Elsewhere centres around an immortal soldier called B (also Untu, also Berserker). Born in the mists of time, B can be injured but heals quickly and can be killed, after which he re-emerges from an egg. B has lived for thousands and thousands of years and retains all of his memories, some of which are featured in side stories throughout the book. B now works with a secret unit of the US Army (not for, and only while their goals align) who are studying his condition. The authorities hope to weaponise B’s power, he hopes they will find a way to make him mortal.
This backstory is delivered through a mystery. B and his US Army handler return to the scene of a failed attempt on B’s life only to find one of the people who had been killed in the explosion has somehow returned to life, for a very short period. The question of how this can happen and who could have caused it, sends B on a mission to hunt down an ancient animal nemesis and reflect on who might be out to get him. Part of this reflection leads to a number of historical sections, chronicling B’s lives and companions at various points in history.
Unfortunately, while some parts are interesting, the whole of The Book of Elsewhere does not hang together. Given this is a collaboration, it is hard to know where to point the finger, except to say maybe that the enterprise does not wholly work. The idea of an immortal protagonist is not a new one. This narrative does not have much new to say about this idea or give readers any reason to care about B, or about any of the supporting characters or their situations. The quest does kind of build to some overall philosophy around life death and entropy, but when that finally comes it is too little too late.
The Book of Elsewhere will have a ready audience – existing fans of the graphic novel (also being tuned into a movie and follow up manga series by Netflix), those curious about what Keanu Reeves might produce, and fans of China Miéville. And while there are elements to enjoy, it is likely only to be the existing BZRKR fans who will come out of this book completely satisfied.
Robert Goodman
For more of Robert’s reviews, visit his blog Pile By the Bed
Other reviews you might enjoy:
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- Harlem Shuffle (Colson Whitehead) – book review
Robert Goodman is a book reviewer, former Ned Kelly Awards judge and institutionalised public servant based in Sydney. This and over 450 more book reviews can be found on his website Pile By the Bed.
