A Satiric End of the World

What might the end of the world be like?  According to Michael Simms in his debut novel, Bicycles of the Gods: A Divine Comedy (Madville Books, $ 19.95), it could happen a bit like a “screwball comedy” as he navigates a wacky scenario by using “apocalyptic satire” to boldly comment on the troubled state of the world.  

Best known for his poetry, Simms also curates the progressive newsletter, Vox Populi, where he recently lent some insights on the literary angle he used to approach this heavy topic. In the interview, he says, “You don’t have to interpret the events from a religious point of view to see that widespread destruction of society is accelerating and the end of our civilization is imminent. Satire has always been a way to present unpleasant truths. Often people laugh when they suddenly make a connection they hadn’t seen before.”  From the get-go, this heady balance of hilarity and poignant truths allows Simms to bring to the surface issues like racism and environmental destruction through daring character choices.

Utilizing a wide-ranging cast in the same vein as the 1963 comedy, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Simms spreads the focus wide. But instead of greedy treasure seekers, readers get gods and angels including Jesus, Shiva and the Archangel Michael who’ve been tasked by “Dad” with bringing the end to humanity. What makes this interesting is that they’re depicted as more approachable versions with Jesse, Xavi and Mikey playing these roles as brown-skinned 12-year old boys who get around on e-bikes.  

Set in LA, Bicycles…opens with Xavi ready to strike the first match that’ll turn the City of Angels into conflagration. Xavi shares his insights as the eldest of gods saying, “Something tells me that these people don’t believe in divine intervention.” That Jesse stops him in order to do some “investigating” sets the tone of exploration that leans on witty dialogue to explore the modern-day human condition.

If a send-up provides Bicycles…the needed spectacle, it’s the characters of all stripes that add sprawl and perspective as Iraq war vets struggle to adapt, and the Virgin Mary is a single-mom backed by The Sisters of the Piston, a gang of leather-wearing nuns on Harley’s. There’s even a scene where a pack of wild dogs attack members of the Proud Boys. Perhaps, Simms is correct when he says, “After all, who wouldn’t love a story about badass vigilante nuns and the end of the world, right?” Praise be.