Karim Berrouka, known from stories like 'Fées, weed & guillotines', 'Le Club des punks contre l'apocalypse zombie', the short-story collection 'Les ballons dirigeables rêvent-ils de poupées gonflables ?' (see my review here), and more, has combined forces with graphical artist Zariel, who's responsible for various book covers for Éditions ActuSF, but also put out a few of his own works.

That collaboration - and as a duo, these guys form a perfect team: Karim the words, spiced with humour, and Zariel to bring the characters to life - resulted in 'Pam Pam au pays des merveilles' or loosely translated: 'Thumper in Wonderland', and not 'Alice in Wonderland'. Yes, they took the rabbit from 'Bambi' to play the lead part in Alice's Wonderland.

The humorous touch already starts with the colourful artwork on the cover. It's a story that simply had to be published under ActuSF Graphic, as the illustrations are as important as Karim's words. Or rather, a loose translation/interpretation (from Rabbit) of original writer Lewis Carrott, eh, Carroll, pun most definitely intended on the first pages of the book.

The story that Thumper (or Pam Pam, as he's called in French) decided to tell, was written in first person, for obvious reasons. Otherwise, he couldn't have given account of the craziness he had experienced. It was a hot summer's day, and Pam Pam was considering his options: Spend time with his spouse, Hildegarde; enjoy the sunshine and what not with a bit of Chopin - Thumper is a cultivated rabbit, mind you; or take a nap under a tree. Oh yes, plants, trees, plains, grass, ... are of vital importance for a rabbit, not in the least for one like Pam Pam, who has a high appreciation for alfalfa and wild cherry.

On that hot day, a girl showed up, coming out of a tree, started to insult him and give him the finger. Flabbergasted, Pam Pam decided that this girl needed to be taught a lesson and started to go after her. Gone was his desire to spend the day in a relaxing way. Only, it would not be that easy to track her down.

As he entered that same tree, he arrived at a large plain and is welcomed by... a leek with moon boots. Zariel's splendid illustration depicted said leek and Pam Pam. As Pam Pam explained the reason for his presence, the leek was willing to guide him on... to his first mission/assignment. Because, yes, Pam Pam would have to solve many riddles to accomplish what he wanted to accomplish.

Be it swallowing a light bulb of a tube amplifier - warning: not just any lamp! The right lamp! (even if the Guardians of the Wall can be confusing in their explanation - solving a meteorological riddle, a train riddle, fighting punky creatures (Mr Berrouka is a punk artist, too, in his spare time), or something else, Pam Pam would have to use all his cunning to not only mislead his adversaries (of all sorts), but also find a way out of this Wonderland.

As he was faced with different missions, adversaries, and even a few allies, if only for a short period of time - Pam Pam was a stranger in Wonderland, after all -, said adversaries would have a hard time eliminating him one way or another. A special superpower and intelligent reasoning would allow him to escape an untimely or horrendous ending. His various adversaries, those having put him to the test, claimed, in the end, that injustices had been inflicted upon them. And so, Pam Pam would have to justify in court his presence and behaviour in Wonderland. A final hurdle he had to overcome, if he wanted to be able to return to reality. He who laughs last, laughs best, as the saying goes. And with that, the circle would be round. Or would it? In a sense, yes, but Pam Pam/Thumper would still not have found the girl, whom everyone in Wonderland knew, but somehow protected, as she was never punished for her behaviour. Another one of the riddles or pitfalls of Wonderland?

'Pam Pam au pays des merveilles' ('Thumper in Wonderland') is a highly recommended variation of Lewis Carroll's classic tale; it reminded me (at least) of, for example, Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' stories, Walter Moers's 'Die Stadt der Träumenden Bücher', and even a little of 'The Twelve Tasks of Asterix'. Karim Berrouka marvellously demonstrated his exquisite writing skills, topped with a large touch of humour. Zariel rounded everything off with his splendidly drawn characters and interactions between author, main character, and the reader. This is a story that offers perfect entertainment in today's fast-paced world, where time is of the essence (*pun intended*).

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I was sent this book by Éditions ActuSF for review. Many thanks to them for the trust. ( )