Reviews

The Banana Massacre by Jim Yoakum

djdimond's review against another edition

4.0

This is the first of Jim Yoakum's books that I've had the opportunity to experience. From what I read ahead it time, it seemed like a short humorous novel that would be enjoyable regardless of the quality. With this knowledge in hand, I was impressed with how much I actually enjoyed the book. The protagonist, Wilt Fusarium, is the classic straight man thrust into an endless torrent of absurd interactions and facetious situations. The story has all the charm, suspense, and intrigue of a classic spy novel with layers of dark humor and dramatic irony that recaptures the spirit of campy 80's comedies. It's not hard to imagine Chevy Chase or Bill Murray portraying the same interactions that Fusarium experiences throughout the story. As a satirical commentary on the heartlessness and encroachment of US industry within the fictional nation of Costa San Rico, The Banana Massacre comes across in a way that even those without knowledge of these situations will be able to understand. All in all, Jim Yoakum has done a tremendous job of creating a comedic novel that makes for an enjoyable read.