Review of “Zorgamazoo,” by Robert Paul Weston
“Zorgamazoo,” by Robert Paul Weston is a fantasy novel written in smooth, flawless verse.
The book begins with a delightful invitation:
Here is a story that’s stranger than strange.
Before we begin you may want to arrange:
A blanket, a cushion, a comfortable seat,
And maybe some cocoa and something to eat.
The main character in this poetical adventure is Katrina Katrell, a young girl with a strong sense of perception and the ability to see things that other people ignore. It seems as if everywhere she goes she sees strange animals and creatures that other people don’t see. But when Katrina tries to tell others about these odd beasts they think she is crazy.
Worst of all, when Katrina tries to tell her guardian Mrs. Krabone about a strange creature she sees in the subway tunnel Mrs. Krabone decides that Katrina has lost her mind and needs a lobotomy operation. Soon Katrina finds herself running away from home, chased by Mrs. Krabone and the evil Dr. LeFang, who has “felonious” plans for operating on Katrina’s brain.
Katrina’s escape finally leads her below the city, where she first saw the strange creature in the subway tunnel. Amazingly she discovers that an entire race of strange furry creatures called Zorgles live under the city. But it is one Zorgle in particular that will effect Katrina’s course in the story.
Morty is a relatively simple, normal zorgle. He enjoys watching Zorgally Ball and singing, though his neighbors don’t seem to appreciate his musical attempts. Morty works at a newspaper shop, but he does most of his work in the evenings because his days are spent with his dying father. Morty’s father was a great adventurer who is renowned among the Zorgles for his travels to distant places.
But Morty has none of his father’s adventuring spirit. Needless to say Morty is surprised and horrified when he is selected to be a part of the Zorgle’s Hero Selection Lottery. Morty doesn’t want to be a hero. It sounds like a dangerous job, and Morty plans to decline the offer.
But Morty’s father insists that his son accept:
He gazed at his son, looked him right in the eye.
“It’s true: Someday soon I will probably die.
Before then, I want you, my one only son,
To have an adventure…and maybe some fun!”
So Morty sets off reluctantly. Before long he has been chosen out of hundreds of other Zorgles to investigate the recent disappearance of the Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. An entire community of zorgles has disappeared without a trace. No one knows where they went, or if this disappearance could indicate a future danger for the rest of Zorgledom.
When Morty meets up with Katrina in the dark caverns below the city, it turns out that they will make the perfect adventuring pair. Katrina’s strong, bold personality is just what it takes to lead Morty on in his important quest.
But neither Morty nor Katrina could ever imagine just how far their investigation will take them!
“Zorgamazoo” is an excellent novel. I am quite impressed by the way Robert Paul Weston decided to write the novel in verse. Throughout the story the poetical voice is sure and stately. The lilting, alternating stressed syllables limit the pace of reading to a slower, steadier pace, but that is the perfect way for readers to savor the delightful details and careful plot. Certain portions of the story are also emphasized using varying fonts and text shapes to add interest.
I think the most accurate way to describe “Zorgamazoo” is as a mixture of Shel Silverstein and Roald Dahl. The poetry is what one would expect from Silverstein, while the quirky characters and pencil drawings reminiscent of those by Quentin Blake lend a distinctly Dahlish air to the story.
I am really looking forward to seeing what Robert Paul Weston produces in the future. “Zorgamazoo” is a fantastic story for junior readers, and I’m sure we can expect more books from this talented writer.
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