The Divine Comedies

Critics went crazy for Bicycles of the Gods! Now read the sequel!

A devilishly conceived satire that mashes the soft-centered potato of religion with the ham-fisted yam of politics into a steaming mush of mock-turtle soup which might have easily been concocted by Nathaniel West had he heeded his doctor's advice and cooked a bit more with hallucinogenic mushrooms.-Ariana Mohajeri Petersen, The Minderbinder Review of Books

Bicycles of the Gods achieves a roaring finale-no more spoilers will be given here-in which the borders of Earth and the afterlife come down, brave and inevitable sacrifices are made, and much that has been hidden is revealed. Readers, buckle yourselves in for a wild ride.-Angele Ellis, Cultural Daily

Simms has created a wild, syncretic ride refashioning old stories in a contemporary light. Will Jesse succeed? Will the world end? Spoilers: As the poet George Herbert wrote, "But Love and Grace took Glory by the hand / and built a braver palace than before."-Kristopher Collins, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Simms still expresses hope for humanity and so does Bicycles of the Gods. While he doesn't consider himself conventionally religious, he does think we'd do well to follow some core teachings of Jesus, as they are laid out in his novel.-Bill O'Driscoll, WESA

Bicycles Of the Gods is an apocalyptic saga that is always riveting, always thought provoking, and alternately funny and sad. It is refreshing to read a novel that, while satiric, takes seriously the spiritual journey. One of the truly surprising parts of the novel is that, while religion is satirized, it is never disrespected. It's a real accomplishment.-John Samuel Tieman, Live Encounters

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 attacks 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.-Fred Shaw, Pittsburgh Quarterly

Michael Simms's great American novel offers lessons and not just escapism. It substantiates the dream that all people are created equal, whatever the color or creed, that hope is not only eternal but also that the Second Coming can offset any Apocalypse-if we are willing to pay a price that is worthy of our freedom and an integrally righteous way of living our lives.-Wally Swist, Your Impossible Voice