Oskar Submerges

by Zachary Tanner

Oskar Submerges is the first true sea novel ever set on a Jovian satellite. The interplanetary year is 2193. With the help of a massive inheritance, Cletus II of Luna, aspiring kapellmeister, has taken a job as a janitor in an infamous brain health clinic on Europa, ice world of entheogens and polysexual cyborgs, seeking inspiration and artistic actualization in the abjection to be gained from proximity to end-of-life patients. Cletus soon befriends Oskar, an aged paper architect who suffers from an endemic neurological disease, aka "french maids," which is contracted by those exposed to the bioluminescent blue-green algae native to the subsurface ocean. In a series of increasingly-disorienting psychotic episodes, Cletus attempts to ethically navigate the Zoroastrian sex politics of this kinky new world and learn to love more perfectly before going insane, not understanding that love is the madness madder than the rest.

Genres: Science Fiction

525 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Rick Harsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cletus is a sensitive guy. After more than 500 pages of sci fi in the book Oskar Submerges, I can sum it all up just like that. Cletus is a sensitive guy. Unfortunately, this means that for Cletus the examined life may not be worth living. For the reader, it means, again unfortunately, that she, he or cyborgian, will come to realize that he, she or cybothian, will not be able to comfortably ignore the implications of a world in which the mind moves in an infinity of amoebal ways, mysteriously, constantly, and has no purchase anywhere. Like Steven Moore, who in blurbing this book noted he had read little science fiction, I have read little science fiction. But I recognize that this book is not of the brand of sci fi that flings technological nightmares into their inevitable futures where humans are no longer recognizable or, perhaps in most of the worst cases, too recognizable. In this case, Cletus just happens to be in a sci fi novel, and he is beyond recognizable, he's on to the precise dilemmas that humans have been avoiding for millenia in order that they not go mad.
So what the author, Zachary Tanner, has created a year 2193 that is designed as an acid trip made good, and flung his composer Cletus into that environment, which should have been perfect, but illustrated why it cannot be. Cletus is writing his confessions, and he is very much a JJ Rousseau, if more insightful, and it is that off hand confessional tone that lulls the reader into a state of comfort sustainable through much of the book's orgies, Cletus' apprehensions, Oskar's wisdom (Oskar is an old man of many utile talents unrealized, and a charm that lures the loveliest of ladies to his centenarian buttcrack, a man whom Cletus befriends and maladopts as a sort of mentor), while a menacing subconscious state builds into a finale that is truly disturbing - powerful, brilliantly written, and..disturbing.
The original title of the book was French Maids of the Connemara Chaos. I'm not sure why Tanner decided not to use that, but I will leave that as a clue for prospective readers.

[Kevin Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that feeling you had as a young reader? Loving a book so much that you spoke to your friend about it, you told your parents. You maybe picked up other books that the author wrote. I had that feeling with Oskar Submerges. One of the most original and incredible first novels ever. Ever.

I personally felt the influence of Le Guin for its otherworldliness. Richard Powers for the musical and “humanist” aspects. Vollmann for its shear creative output and research. And Pynchon for well, everything. Its astounding dialogue and vocabulary. Its playfulness in the writing. And as I’m sure you’ll all aware theses are some of the greatest writers ever. Zachary Tanner is on the way of joining these writers. I was amazed and the novel could’ve been 1,000 pages. And I hope the author continues to write. Highly recommended!!!

Special shout-out to Corona Samizdat Press. Rick continues to provide the world with outstanding literature and writers. The world is in great hands with these books.

[Steven Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read many sci-fi authors, but “Oskar Submerges” evokes two I have, Samuel Delany and Ursula LeGuin, in its treatment of pansexuality and utopianism. Set in the 2190s, the novel has a 1960s vibe—drugs, free love, self-actualization, “a hint of incense and peppermints” (p. 177)—but the quest for love and artistic fulfillment dramatized here is timeless. It’s a treat for music lovers: the bildungsromantic protagonist is a composer, so music references abound. (In fact, “Cletus at the Clavichord” would have been an apt, Wallace Stevensian title for the novel, though it can’t beat Tanner’s original, Kilgore Troutian title, “French Maids of the Conamara Chaos.”) Another treat is Tanner’s prose, which, like Cletus’s taste in clothes, “blended the sleek latex sensibilities of today with the excessive rococo frills, spotted fir, and peacock plumes of baroque times” (p. 403). Add cosmic vistas and a guitar-slinging bisexual cyborg named Ophelia and you have a winning novel.

[L.S. Popovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's physically impossible to write a better review than Phillip Freedenberg's (the Intro) so all that is left is my opinion. My opinion is that you should read it. Bits of Philip K. Dick, plus otherworldly elegance. Music theory. Retrosynth soundtrack. Trippy in the same way my Outrun screensaver is.

[Josh Doughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always had apprehension starting a novel in the “sci-fi” realm. However, do not let Zachary Tanner’s debut novel keep you from reading it.

You experience a futuristic yet somewhat antiquated universe through the eyes of Cletus 2, a janitor who attempts to find love on a new planet “Europa” where things are vastly different from what the character has known. The main character meets Oskar and a few others (Jose and the cyborg Ophelia) which often yields to a plethora of laced drinks and libertine activities that Cletus is completely unprepared for.


Cletus 2 is also heavily musically inclined. Throughout the novel, you will experience many passages of synthesizers and electronic terminology and the struggles of finding the perfect timber. The perfect patch. I enjoyed that as an electronic musician myself. The struggle is definitely shown throughout.

I was worried of how big this pocket book was, but after about 30 pages, you get pretty use to the feel. And this is definitely a page turner. There is juicy drama and soul crushing existential dread throughout this narrative.

So does Oskar Submerge? Yes, but in multiple ways. It is up to you to find out what the title means to you.

Based on my somewhat arbitrary knowledge of reading, this is for fans of let’s say Marquis De Sade, William S Burroughs, and Donna J Haraway (which I will be reading later in this year!

There are also at least two Melville references for all you Moby Dick fans out there.

I am looking forward to more works from Z.

[Christopher Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I wrote my review of Gravity’s Rainbow, I said that the closest piece of art that I could think of comparing it to was Frank Zappa’s 1979 album Joe’s Garage. The absurdity and surreal nature of the 70s along with its balance of high and low brow entertainment really match that same feeling while offering metafictional commentary on their respective artforms. I bring this up, not because I believe Oskar Submerges also hits this same stride but because of how much it matches Joe’s Garage aesthetically.

For those unaware, Joe’s Garage is a 2 hour rock opera/concept album, that feels as if it is loosely pieced together by the 3am jokes of Mr. Zappa. While ridiculous and absurd, it somehow comes together to offer an experience that I personally hold to be one of the best records of all time. The narrative starts as a parody of the humble beginnings of starting a band and being on the road and quickly devolves into a Sci Fi satire of Scientology, sex toys, and further commentary on the music industry.

Why I bring this up here is that Oskar Submerges gives me a lot of the same feelings. Oskar Submerges is a Science Fiction story that follows Cletus, a janitor at an old folks home who falls in with a polycule filled with various characters. His feelings as he experiences love and heartbreak are explored with deep emotion and offer one of the greatest highlights of this work. Author Zachary Tanner really knows how to write these scenes and explore these feelings in such a natural and universal way.

From my brief description you may notice this is not your typical SF story. I think this is also one of this book's strongest points. Instead of falling into tropes of rebelling against an oppressive regime, post apocalyptica, or innovative tech Tanner offers a more slice of life narrative. The stakes of this world are very low and instead focus on the relationships of the characters.

This makes for a story that most non Sci Fi readers will find accessible while still being something different and fun. Much of this world is not that different from our own. Many of the settings are akin to someplace you’ve probably been to and the technology is often dated, even by our standards. This makes for an interesting world to spend time in. One of my favorite parts was following these characters as they spend their time in the Science Fiction equivalent of a Great Wilderness Resort.

Another great element of this book is the attention to detail around Cletus’ hobby of modular synthesis and the musical performances he attends. Tanner offers a lot of great passages detailing these compositions and performances which is a treat to read. While this may limit the enjoyability for the average reader, this book seems to have found its niche and works well to appease these sensibilities.

This attention to detail around music also helps it fit nicely with my comparison with Joe’s Garage. On a more technical basis, I find the literary prowess of Tanner and the musical talent of Zappa to offer a similar counterbalance to some of the more ridiculous and juvenile aspects. Tanner really writes in an enthusiastic way utilizing a great vocabulary to flesh out these scenes.

This emotional and carefree narrative really was a joy to spend time with and proves that original Science Fiction can still be written. This really feels so different from the vast majority of the genre and something I would recommend to anyone looking to be well rounded in the genre.

If I had any major complaint it would be dealing with the pacing of this narrative. While the story has its intense and high energy moments, I found that it was too quickly paced for what was going on. Oftentimes I found myself revisiting sections as I flew past certain elements of the story. I also found some sections much more engaging in terms of prose and narrative than others making for a more uneven reading experience.

Beyond this, I still really enjoyed this book and found it to be a truly impressive first novel. Tanner’s voice comes through really clear and is already well established. I’m excited to check out more and see what else is to come!

[Justin Zigenis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creativity smorgasbord in the guise of literary science-fiction. A water-locked distant planet occupied by polysexuals and cyborgs. Psychedelics and orgies and synthesizer-wielding minstrels all mashed together in this sexy, self-aware, operatic narrative that touches on everything from extraterrestrial sea-life to submersion tank experiences to mescalin cocktails to still-life paintings to the sticky complications of open relationships.

[Phillip Freedenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a pleasure to share with the goodreads community the introduction that I wrote for Zachary Tanner’s extraordinary novel Oskar Submerges. In many ways, I believe that this introduction may also serve for new readers as a thoughtful review of a novel that I highly recommend.

Zachary Tanner has authored a synesthesia-induced, musically kaleidoscopic, artfully imagined, cosmological novel packed full of transcendent exotic nebula, cyborgs, interplanetary cognitive hysteria, aspiring composers, non-binary high-camp intergalactic erotica, madness-inducing bioluminescent holotropic algae blooms, as well as an entire new possible world of ideas populated by artists and dreamers, all brilliantly nested within the pure vibration of the unified field that will not only ask you, the reader, to re-imagine your own perception of the world, but it will also have you asking… What does it mean to be a human being located deep within the cold, existential, dark center of a vast and mysterious universe?

Tanner’s euphoric, kink-boiled, radically speculative, cosmogenic, high-camp aesthetic is beautifully composed with a brilliantly sprawling, hyper articulate, literary-minded erudition which, as it unravels the preconditioned expectations of the reader’s traditional imaginative potential of the operational mechanics of our cultural designs on the world, Tanner also—in a rich, compulsively readable, deconstructive process—prepares the reader for launch into a newly mapped distant world far beyond our own, where the antiquated norms of civilization begin to loosen in the potential of their omnipotence in which only then are we capable of immersing ourselves fully into the much freer, less limiting world of Oskar Submerges.

In the existentially fractured ideological political constellations of a deeply divided America, which in this novel we quickly leave, light-years behind us, in the frenetic, dizzying, axial precession of the equinoxes, on a strange planet called Earth, in which it seems that an anthropologically grand devolution of the innate forms of prosocial behavioral altruism has begun to occur, which once, in theory, not only hoped to unify individuals, but also sought to bind communities together in a utopian expression of categorically transcendent plurality, if such an ideal were possible, inclusively illuminated by the imagination inspired by diversity as well as a fascination for, rather than a fear of, “otherness,” that has now mutated into a cultural dystopia, fueled by bigotry and tribal ostracism, which has obscured our social imagination from empathizing with the many possible intersectional formations existing beyond the ever present primary sense of self.

In Oskar Submerges, Tanner euphorically erects a literary, utopian, space-opera superstructure, where we, as human beings, may once again experiment with imagining a world in which “otherness,” in this case, is possibly experienced as an extraterrestrial, transhumanist, science fiction game theory, where the long unknown, culturally distanced “other,” once again through the experimental vision of this novel, instead becomes a sphere of pure love, and beauty, whereas individual readers or we, as a species, bear the responsibility to once again learn how to transcend the often times fearful isolation of our own primitive singularity to discover that truth, and real human connections often arise in complex forms other than our own.

Tanner’s novel explores the oppression of the potential of our collective imagination, which may be the result of a vast, culturally hegemonic, immersive, all-occupying cultural rapture, which may be what constricts and conforms our general human perceptions from daring to imagine the potential of human expression, transcendent of the traditional historical patterns of our antiquated, dominant power structures. In some regards, our failures of imagination on behalf of the human species to collectively dare to constructively dismantle the various, seemingly omnipotent tyrannical power structures, that occlude the conventional pathways of upward mobility relative to the evolution of the human imagination, must not obstruct the foundation for the human species to experiment with new models of creative thinking and combinatory play, which may help us imagine new possible worlds for our species to euphorically inhabit , not only ten years from now, but one hundred years from now. These dangerous ideals, if left unchallenged, may be just the type of limitations that constrict our human flirtation with someday possibly one day inhabiting a far more vast, hierarchically elevated level of collective consciousness.

In Oskar Submerges, Zachary Tanner achieves, in many ways, what only great speculative literature allows us to explore, and that is a panoptic view of the world that resonates with a scope of a novel that includes the reach of the entire species as well as the birth and death of the universe, which is interested in entropy and collapse by placing the urgency of these themes in the context of not only the sustainability of the species, but also the grand prospects of the durability of a grander evolution, which may include progress and transcendence at the level of pure consciousness beyond the limitations of both our biology and technology.

Psychologist, author, and psychonaut Timothy Leary has stated in Musings on Human Metamorphoses: that, “Science fictions are suppressed only when likely to contribute more knowledge and freedom than the defensive orthodoxies they challenge.” At the center of Oskar Submerges, we, the readers, find an author daring to argue for a new metaphysical ontology which not only strives to dismantle the traditional “defensive orthodoxies,” but the book also asks us to not only reinvent the alignment of our individual perceptual orientation to the world, and it also asks us to explore the intellectually creative abundance of ideas packed into this novel, so that one day, we may create a future, possible world, that, in so many ways, improves upon the antiquated traditions that we have for too long relied upon to inhabit the world of today.

In Oskar Submerges, Zachery Tanner asks the question, “What is life without love like dancing in dreams?” The beauty of Oskar Submerges—, as I experienced it and as, I hope that you will too also experience it—, is to blissfully move forward into your reading of the novel, knowing that you will unquestionably leave behind you the rigors and limitations of the world around you, to submerge your imagination into a book, that strives to achieve what all great books strive to achieve, and that is to offer the reader entry into a new possible world that maintains a love that feels so much like dancing that the energy of such joyful literary arabesques will leap off of every page of this book in such a way that you won’t ever want to put it down, for by the time you finish this book, a small part of both your heart and mind may forever drift curiously within the unique, phantasmagorical, beautiful orbit of a place we collectively once dreamed, known only as Europa.

Phillip Freedenberg
August 1, 2021
Buffalo, NY

[Mike Migdall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immensely maximalist and neurodivergent Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, as written by PKD, meets Sealab 2020/2021, as written by Timothy "Speed" Levitch, meets nothing I've ever read before. This book has impeccable vibes. The invention and nonstop motor of this book made it very hard for me to sit down and read this book cover to cover because I kept having to pause to stew in its ideas and let its imagery wash over me like the psychoactive fluorescent algae blooms of Europa. Oskar Submerges taught me it was okay to be weird <3

[Davis Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A science fiction novel with the promiscuity and scope of the mammoth novels before its time. I was absolutely absorbed by the prose surrounding drug use, the euphoric experiences of art and not to mention sex that made me throb.

[R. Moores · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times I loved it, others I hated it. Definitely a "vibe" read, whatever that means, no idea why I would even say that?

The creativity of the world of Europa is off the charts, the writing is very good, Tanner is a real talent for sure. The verbosity is both a strength and a weakness. Sometimes the phrases are magnificent and memorable, other times I felt like I was just reading endless lists and I would lose track of what was going on because of the stream of consciousness style. Still, that's a minor quibble, and maybe more of a reflection on me. And, of course, this author doesn't deal in conventional narrative structures, I knew the deal I was getting into.

I never really got the characters, but again, maybe they were meant to be that way. They were certainly alien in ways that transhumanist people living under the sea, in a gigantic pleasure palace, and forever taking powerful hallucinogens and engaging in orgies while living on Jupiter's distant moon would be.

There were a couple of moments I rolled my eyes, there were others when I said "shit, woah, this guy!" there were others when I just wanted Jose and Ophelia and everyone to stop being so damn petty and annoying. I never really felt Oskar was worth all the hoopla either.

So yeah, not sure where this review is going, I'll get to the point; if you're in the mood for Europa, it's a great place to hang out and contemplate the universe, if not, it's unbridled hedonism and at times ridiculous libertine attitudes might just drive you a bit mad.

Maybe I have French Maids now?

[Fergus Nm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those with a penchant for the more lysergic ends of the speculative fiction universe are strongly recommended to investigate Zachary Tanner's debut novel OSKAR SUBMERGES - the curious reader will find inside a delightful and tender tale featuring hallucinatory hedonism, multi-genitalia post-everything orgies, a co-dependent centenarian, soliloquys to the spirit of the Moog synthesizer, and much (much!) more, all taking place in the aquatic pleasure gardens of 22nd century Europa's subsurface ocean. Zachary Tanner is definitely an author to watch, and his lyrical prose is a delight to read.

Recommended for fans of the unsung modern classic Blue on Blue - more than a few (I imagine unintentional) echoes between these two great texts.

[Brent Hayward · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange little book, literally and figuratively. The watery space-opera setting is more of a disorder’s indication than galactic canvas. Cletus wants to complete his libretto and so takes a job at an old folk’s home on another planet, at the bottom of the ocean, to help clean the slate of his life and get away from everything for a while; he’d been having troubles on Mars, and suffered a bit of a breakdown as a result. On Europa, however, there’s an algae in the sea that causes madness and hallucination, a sex cult, plenty of drugs, and a certain sad resident at the old folk’s home who takes a shine to the romantic protagonist.
In subtle, pastoral prose, Tanner leads the reader slowly into the deep end, with plenty of ruminations along the way about falling in love, fucking, heartbreak, mental stability, art, and gender. Trippin’ balls as we go under--

[Bannon Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the few books I’ve ever read that I think I will read again at some point in the future. The setting was out of this world (literally) and the descriptions put me exactly in those places I have never and will never visit. It also opened my mind to a different way of analyzing emotions and interacting with others. 6/5 stars will read again and can’t wait to read more from the author

[Amélie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all
There is an Oskar Submerges playlist by Herman Chutters on Spotify. Highly recommend you take a listen to get the vibe right as this book is fulll of music references.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2GB...

It was a joy to immediately fall into this poetic and rhythmic Europan world, exploring the potentialities of a “free love” societal configuration, where it seems everyone is either an artist, an unethical scientist, or both.

Reading Oskar Submerges is really to submerge yourself in the mind, experiences, and perspective of Cletus, the main character, who also happens to be undergoing a mental health crisis. I often felt alienated from Cletus and frustrated by the details he chose to give and those he chose to overlook. What he lingered on. Creating this feeling that there is a plot (and maybe multiple conspiracies) that is constantly slipping through your fingers as a reader.

I ended the book with:
vivid and incredible dreamlike images of a futuristic undersea world, a greater empathy and understanding for people who are neurodivergent, and a desire to trip on some experimental drugs/cuddle with a bunch of friends while listening to the Oskar Submerges playlist.

[isaacq · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a compulsively readable breeze of a novel in spite of its thickness. this is one i plan on writing a better review for after re-reads, but just a couple points while i'm here.

1. i knew Zachary Tanner had me only a couple pages in, when a peripheral character appeared whose name referenced Peter Greenaway's brilliant and unhinged fake documentary The Falls. i mean, come on, how could i not love this.

2. somehow this was the first book i've read where a lot of non-binary folks have a lot of sex with each other. as a result, it was initially pretty jarring whenever this character kissed "the breasts" or that character touched "the penis" etc. i've given a lot of thought to this in the weeks since, and whether i would have found it more or less distracting if it had said "their breasts" / "their penis" instead. i'm still on the fence, but i love that this novel allowed my brain to go there.

[Andrew Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this intergalactic dream, and would recommend it to any fan of science fiction, the opera, centenarian friendship, hallucinogenic drugs, pansexual space orgies, and protagonists battling relatable anxieties of ambition and love