If you’re at all interested in issues that are Orwellian or Huxleyesque in nature, you’ll be into this story. Told from the first person, it’s the story of a rebellion at the Fun Inc. factory, where Fun literally is something to be had, as their job is to manufacture it in pill form. It leaves you thinking about your own idea of the basic form of fun (I’ll be keeping that to myself, thank you) all the while telling a good story. It could possibly be seen as a straight-edge allegory, but there’s absolutely no indication that it’s intended that way. Barry is very clever with his concise use of language, and the result is often hilarious, such as when the narrator (who does not take Fun but gives free pills to his friends) says, “My friends tell me I should try having Fun with them once and awhile. It makes me feel uneasy when they are all having Fun at my expense.” The way he translates everyday experience into his imaginary world words extremely well. If you read this, I guarantee some fun. (Heather Ball)
zine/story,16 pages, $3, Kevin Barry, 179 Wychwood Ave Apt #2, Toronto ON, M6C 2T4