A Cure for Cancer

Infobox Book |
name = A Cure for Cancer
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Dust-jacket from the first edition
author = Michael Moorcock
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = Jerry Cornelius
subject =
genre = Science fiction novel
publisher = Allison & Busby
release_date = 1971
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback)
pages = 256 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-85031-026-1
preceded_by = The Final Programme
followed_by = The English Assassin

"A Cure for Cancer" is a novel by British fantasy and science fiction writer Michael Moorcock [http://www.complete-review.com/reviews/moorcock/ccancer.htm] . It is part of his long running Jerry Cornelius series [http://www.depauw.edu/sfs/backissues/8/willett8art.htm] .

The second novel of the sequence, [http://www.complete-review.com/reviews/moorcock/ccancer.htm] , is essentially a collage of absurdist vignettes, many of which first appeared in an eclectic range British and American magazines.

The lurid blurb of the original edition [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~jimthing/jerrycornelius.html] sets the scene in graphic terms "Up from the ocean depths comes the jet-black caucasian transvestite champion. Resplendant in warpaint, wampum beads and silk suit by Cardin, armed only with a tomahawk and vibragun, he returns to the napalmed ruins of London to resurrect his sister and wrest from the disgusting Bishop Beesley and his formidable henchwomen the black box which has diffracted the cosmos and set the world spinning at super-speed towards its own final solution. Lock up your daughters, hide your stash, keep to the shadows."

Jerry inhabits a world at war with itself and, armed only with an occasional 'vibragun' appears to fight 'against history' for the freedom of 'randomness' against the straitlaced conventions exemplified by his brother Frank. In the end Jerry's quest, oblique as it is, is perhaps more artistic than political.

"Jerry didn't mind the bombs as much as the rock scene. He wouldn't care what they sent so long as it wasn't Simon and Garfunkel."

References

*cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Internet Speculative Fiction Database
work =
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date =
url = http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?CUREFCNC1971
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-12-16
*cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Moorcock's Miscellany
work =
publisher =
date =
url = http://www.multiverse.org/imagehive/v/bookcovers/books/mikebooks/album62/
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-12-16
*cite web
last = Brown
first = Charles N.
authorlink = Charles N. Brown
coauthors = William G. Contento
title = The Locus Index to Science Fiction (1984–1998)
work =
publisher =
date =
url = http://www.locusmag.com/index/b341.htm#A4880.39
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-12-16