zine review:
Les Carnets de Rastapopoulos #5-7
This zine is delightfully Canadian, written primarily in English but also laced with a smattering of French. In severe need of a spellcheck, this black-and-white zine offers random illustrations and typewriter-like font. While the presentation somewhat lacks, I think the content is worth it and speaks for itself.
Issue 5 contains amusing and fascinating stories on how humans go to so much trouble to make things their own. I really enjoyed reading the accounts of Rockall, Sealand, Cascadia and Madawaska. I found the people and countries involved ridiculous, hilarious and fascinating, and I really like how the author of the zine decided to write about it. Certainly I would have never known about it otherwise. In fact, the more I learned, the more I wanted to take a vacation in or around these places. It ends with some Nascar stuff that, unless you’re into Nascar, is more or less sort of boring. I really enjoyed this one!
Issue 6, in some places, comes closer to my heart. Watching planes and identifying them was one of the most cherished memories that I had as a child, so reading about someone else who enjoyed the same pastime was a treat. Although the issue was filled with random Nascar tidbits and pictures, which robbed a bit from the overall flow of the zine, the major points, including plane watching and an unusual species of pig, were still very interesting and fun to read about. I gather that the author likes to share what they learn, and in turn, we as the readers learn something as well. Which, I think, is really neat. (Tara Blackmore)
zine, Larch, Suite 2, Ottawa, ON, K1R 6W4