elharts

Andersen Prunty is a weird guy. I assume. I mean, I don't know him personally, but anyone who has this stuff inside their brain can't be normal, right? The Overwhelming Urge is chock full of strange people doing even stranger things. The stories are brief -- sometimes only a couple of paragraphs -- so it has the feel of an overheard conversation or catching something bizarre out of the corner of your eye as you drive down the street. The main themes here seem to be alienation and sorrow -- the wisest man in the world comes to your house and craps on your rug, a new haircut changes a man's life, a walk to the mailbox ends in tragedy . . . I'm not sure what any of it means, but it sure is fun trying to figure it all out. My favourite story was "The Bright Side", where the narrator discovers his father has turned into an antelope. I'm not sure why, but I found the idea charming, and Prunty's description of the transformed father was exactly how I image a human/antelope would be. This book is a very fast read, perfect for keeping in a car or purse for something quick to read while waiting at the bank, carpool line, etc. Highly recommend, especially for fans of Bizarro.

2022-11-14 18:39