Laugh out loud with Thunderbird (#bookreview)

Thunderbird by Jon Konrath 

Paperback, 186 pages

Published June 7th 2013 by Paragraph Line Books

Synopsis:



Absurdist writer Jon Konrath returns with another collection of hilarious and demented flash fiction. Descend into a manic world of Kafkaesque insanity and paranoia including FDA drone strikes against weight-loss clinics, amputee porn, a celebrity kickboxing match between Yo Yo Ma and Manuel Noriega, and hobby shop exorcisms. The author of the cult classic Rumored to Exist continues his surreal nonlinear journey through a nightmarish terrain of Jeff Spicoli-themed restaurants, indian casino abortion clinics, and an apocalyptic landscape laced with insane humor and nonstop non sequitur references to pop culture, medical technology, military machinery, and extreme heavy metal. This collection of 26 short stories and flash fiction pieces explores the human element through deranged comedy in what demonstrates Konrath's bizarre style of experimental writing. Bonus: The paperback edition of Thunderbird also includes the short story "The Zombies of Kilimanjaro," an undead parody of the Hemingway classic.





Review:



I really didn't want this book to end. I wish it was one of those 365 day calendar things that gives you a word of the day. Instead a quote from this book just to let out a laugh.



The Long John Silver Vinegar Douche Abortion Attempt, Death Metal Taco Bell, Bearded Woman Crapping on Tables.



It's all in here and much more. Jon Konrath is a laugh out loud, rant of pure absurdist literature. Tons of pop culture references that will have you laughing or just saying what the hell did I just read. O need to buy the paperback copy, just so I can say here read this when someone is looking at my bookshelf.

(as posted by Donald on Goodreads)

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Heading Down the Rabbit Hole with Juan Pablo Villalobos (#bookreview)

Down the Rabbit Hole: A Novel by Juan Pablo Villalobos

Paperback, 70 pages

Published October 2nd 2012 by FSG Originals

Synopsis:



Tochtli lives in a palace. He loves hats, samurai, guillotines, and dictionaries, and what he wants more than anything right now is a new pet for his private zoo: a pygmy hippopotamus from Liberia. But Tochtli is a child whose father is a drug baron on the verge of taking over a powerful cartel, and Tochtli is growing up in a luxury hideout that he shares with hit men, prostitutes, dealers, servants, and the odd corrupt politician or two. Long-listed for The Guardian First Book Award, Down the Rabbit Hole, a masterful and darkly comic first novel, is the chronicle of a delirious journey to grant a child’s wish.





Review:



The story is told from a little boys perspective about his father's life as a gang member. And how much he wants a pygmy hippopotamus. The boy believes he is a samurai and also wants a sword.



The heart warming ending and the story itself is great, think of a seven year old trying to explain how heads are severed and gangs do there business.



Another writing trick the author used was all the main characters were Nahuatl names that translate to an animal. That fit the characters personality.

(as posted by Donald on Goodreads)

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Tirza by Arnon Grunberg (REVIEW)

Tirza by Arnon Grunberg

Published February 19th 2013 by Open Letter 

Paperback, 452 pages





Synopsis:



Jorgen Hofmeester once had it all: a beautiful wife, a nice house with a garden in an upperclass neighborhood in Amsterdam, a respectable job as an editor, two lovely daughters named Ibi and Tirza, and a large amount of money in a Swiss bank account. But during the preparations for Tirza's graduation party, we come to know what he has lost. His wife has left him; Ibi is starting a bed and breakfast in France, an idea which he opposed; the director of the publishing house has fired him; and his savings accounts have vanished in the wake of 9/11.



But Hoffmeester still has Tirza, until she introduces him to her new boyfriend, Choukri - who bears a disturbing resemblance to Mohammed Atta - and they announce their plans to spend several months in Africa. A heartrending and masterful story of a man seeking redemption, Tirza marks a high point in Grunberg's still-developing oeuvre.





Review:



I received a copy of Tirza by Arnon Grunberg from Open Letter Press in exchange for review.



Jorgen Hofmeester is a father of two daughters and lives the life as a publisher and a landlord. Renting out the upstairs of his house to locals or travelers. After losing his first daughter to growing up and moving out. He has his last daughter left "Tirza"



Throwing a going away party for his daughter takes a few unexpected turns, including his wife returning after 3 years of not being around. She tries to come back into Tirza and Hofmeester's life and gets a cold shoulder.



After a Tirza leaves to travel to Africa with her boy friend. Who her father thinks looks like Mohammed Atta (the man behind the plane crash of the world trade center) Hofmeester goes to Africa for a surprise visit.



The surprise is what he confesses to a nine year old girl he meets in Africa. A huge twist I was not expected, well worth the 400+ page read.

(as posted on Goodreads)

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