Mysterion, February 2025
Reviewed by Eric Kimminau
“ANTU” by Derek Kho tells the tale of Father Vincent and his mission to the island of Borneo, where he discovers the Antu Rimba, “The Ghost of the Jungle.” For me, this story was both engaging and thought-provoking, though at times a bit confusing. There are at least four solid timelines within the story: Father Vincent as a child, in his youth, in manhood, and as an old man nearing death. These timelines define the stages of Father Vincent’s belief in and rediscovery of the Holy Spirit. The jumps from timeline to timeline required that I re-read this story several times to ensure I followed and understood it, but the fact I enjoyed each re-read is a testament to my engagement and enjoyment.
This tale contains fantastic imagery of what many with faith would consider an anathema: suicide, one of life’s darkest paths. For Father Vincent, he discovers that his hate for his father and the realization that his own atonement for his sin of ego have led him down the same path as his mother. Killing oneself, either by one’s own hand or the hand of another, still leads down the same path. But that path returns him to his youth, to his mother, to Hanna, and to the elimination of pain and the return of warmth and light. I sincerely enjoyed this read.
Eric Kimminau is a BBS geek turned IT professional seeking the next Great Adventure.