The Flying None

by Cody Goodfellow, Betty Rocksteady (Illustrator)

“Goodfellow delivers a highly entertaining weird fiction tale situated at the intersection of punk rock and religious philosophy. […] This slim, punchy volume can be read in one go, but readers will find it worth multiple readings to unpack the sheer volume of its theological insight. Unruly, funny, and wildly original, this rebel’s take on the quirks, pitfalls, and ironies of religious devotion sings.” —Publishers Weekly

Gala Murowski wasn’t really looking for God when she joined her local nunnery, but when an ecstatic out-of-body experience sets her spinning through a godless cosmos, she becomes an avenging angel on a rogue crusade against the hypocrites who prey on the innocent in His name.

Believing only in herself, Gala proves that while faith may move mountains, only doubt dethrones douchebags. But her reign of unholy terror makes her an outlaw and plays into the hands of fanatics hell-bent on making her into the deity she doesn’t believe in…and a tool to remake the world in their image.

Genres: Fiction

130 pages, Paperback

Published May 25, 2021

About the author

CODY GOODFELLOW has written nine novels and five collections, and has won three Wonderland Book Awards for Bizarro Fiction. He wrote, co-produced and scored the short Lovecraftian hygiene films Stay At Home Dad and Baby Got Bass, which have become viral sensations on YouTube. He has appeared in numerous short films, TV shows, music videos and commercials as research for his previous novel, Sleazeland. He also edits the hyperpulp zine Forbidden Futures. He “lives” in San Diego. Find out more at codygoodfellow.com.

Reviews

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may offend some, and you will know who you are either from the synopsis or from the minute you open the book and see the dedication to "everyone who's had enough of thoughts and prayers." whether or not this book is for you.

Maybe God is everywhere, or nowhere at all. Maybe people believe in God because God is real or maybe God is real because people believe. One thing is for sure, prayer is not meant for the purpose of getting God to do your bidding, especially if you think you are on a mission to control others.
Gala isn't sure what she believes or what she is looking for when she decides to stay at a convent of sorts. What she discovers is how to believe in herself.
This was a quick and quirky read that I would recommend to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary.
3.5 stars that I will round up to 4 out of 5

I received a complimentary copy for review.

[Benoit Lelièvre · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oddly life-affirming little novella about an embattled nun with superpowers.

Yeah, you've read right.

If you're not familiar with the weird, expansive mind of Cody Goodfellow, this is as good a place to start as any. It's easy to see an indictment of organized religion in this book because it is what this book is about, but there's a lot more to it. The Flying None is a book about truly being special in a world where everybody thinks they are. What it entails. What sacrifices are required and how it's not all it's cracked up to be. It could've been a wildly depressing affair, but Goodfellow's inventive snark and Wes Anderson-on-heavy-drugs imaginary give in this healthy glow it wouldn't have if anyone else had written it.

Superman on religion and quaaludes. This is what it is, basically. It's a lot of fun.

[Ian Welke · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Cody Goodfellow books are the ones where his sense of humor is allowed to run free and mix with his sense of frustration with the world as it is. His best work reads a bit like if Hunter S Thompson wrote genre fiction. And the Flying None captures this combination perfectly. I like this as much as I liked Repo Shark and Unamerica, and I loved both those books. This is almost to the level of my favorite of his, All Monster Action.

[Moon Captain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable.

Hard to write a review, because I'm a big fan of the man and all his work. Just whip-smart fun reading with a heart of gold.

[Joseph Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like books poking fun at religion, Popes, Bishops etc. Look know further, this little gem of a book will have you thinking, laughing and turning the pages.

When Gala Murowski, went to live at a nunnery she wasn’t really expecting to find God. Though she does when an out-of-body experience sends into the cosmos. Then she learns of the religious evils and wants to set things straight.

[Chanel Chapters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over Old Testament sky daddy - the Truth Fairy is here, and she’s bringing a reckoning.

https://youtube.com/@chanelchapters

[Jesse Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

In world where rampant disease, political strife, and climatic disaster threatens humanity at every turn, the eternal question remains: Where is God in all of this? Released in an era where its subject matter rings as timely as ever, The Flying None is Cody Goodfellow’s latest book, and out of all of his books I’ve read, it’s the silliest and most satirical. Yet it poses some of the deepest, biggest questions about religion: what is God’s true nature, and what is humanity’s relationship to Him/Her/It? If one were suddenly blessed with God-like powers, how should a person go about trying to fix the world? Where does free will, sacrifice, and self-forgiveness come into play in the grander scheme of things? For such a slim novella, there’s a lot going on under the hood here. It’s a very weird, wacky, and ambitious work, and it’s almost certainly the kind of thing that would benefit from multiple readings just to catch all of the various theological arguments, viewpoints, and in-jokes. Another fine addition to Cody’s growing body of work. Also, Betty Rocksteady’s delightful illustrations really add to the experience.

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Where are we going, where have we been? What am I doing here or there?! Part philosophy, part exploration of human inventions by design, this book offers a tour of some of life’s biggest and most mysterious questions. I think if I read this again I will find more here to examine and consider. If you are open to the exploration of faith, religion, and a healthy dose of snark and sarcasm this will fit right into your back pocket. Gala was a trip, literally 🖤.

[Andrew Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly entertaining satire on God and religion as a whole, not just Catholicism or other sects of Christianity. The Flying None is a quick read and a story of the importance of love and what love is / can be. A beautiful book and a brutal exposé of the absurdity of all forms of religion while simultaneously empathizing with the all-too human need for a higher power. Highly recommended. One of my favorites I've read from Goodfellow so far.

[Tomasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody slipped the leash and went for the jugular. Again.
Which is why I come back for more Cody, again and again.

[John Baltisberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable book, short, well paced and a fascinating look at philosophy and theology.

[Johann_tor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great piece of propulsive prose, with the expected unexpected hard swerve beautifully executed.

[cosima. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
this is about an angry girl who just wants to know if there is a higher power and do something about the injustices of the world. relatable fr.
this is also an entertaining satire about religion, abuse of power, and what it means to forgive.

loved the parts about the truth fairy, the ending fell a lil bit flat for me (although maybe i'm just too jaded to accept the ending of "love conquers everything")

She’d always thought she must be slightly insane because the world seemed insane and there was no place for her in it, and the whole world couldn’t be insane, could it? Eating itself, beating itself and stomping around in its own ashes, pumping its fists and shooting selfies while everything good burned and rotted and fell away. No, it must be her, because she couldn’t get with the program, couldn’t strap on a bib and compete in the pie-eating contest of eternal misery.

[Klissia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot to find stories out of ordinary like of this book offer to a reader with no borders in thinking about faith,religion, cults and the usual hateful,absurd,tragic comic and weird things tha happen to the human life. This is a story of a woman living in a dilema or a nun with super powers, the human drama is good but I'm not a fan of the acid trip type of story that turned out to be in the half of the book. I really like Gala, her personality and strong convictions even if cetical about everything:god, love etc.... A character who remember me of Karin Boye ,a swedish writer and her book Crisis, almost the same dilema although more depressing.
A interesting book.

[Aranza (grumpy version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I don’t know how I feel about this one. Definitely in the “wtf am I reading” category. Gala was a unique character with an interesting story and a surprising reflection and learning experience.

The author took the phrase “love will free us all” to the next level.

[Aaron McQuiston · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars. Did not connect with this one.

[Tom Coombe]

I know Goodfellow is well-regarded in horror/weird fiction circles but after this and Sleazeland I can say he's not for me.

[eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisitely funny.

[ivy · Rating 1 out of 5]

sembrava di leggere il diario di una 13enne che stava scoprendo per la prima volta le ingiustizie del mondo invece aveva 20qualcosa anni ???