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ste3ve_b1rd's reviews
233 reviews
Catastrophically Consequential by Stephen C. Bird
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The kindred spirit / doppelgänger / protégé of "Hideous Exuberance". Incorporates non-linear plots, comical rants, unsettling inner monologues; stream of consciousness dream sequences, surrealistic scenarios and time-traveling characters. Revel in the chaotic confusion of sociopathic celebrities, suburban swingers, suicidal trust fund girls, decadent jet setters; medieval princesses, Evilangelists, D-list standup comics and disreputable, vindictive lost souls that search in vain for metaphysical clarity.
From G to PG to R to X by Stephen C. Bird
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sunnie and Brother mourn Mother; an apparition visits Sunnie. Mother appears in Sunnie's disturbing dreams. In one dream, Sunnie meets Momma Leg, a vicious dominatrix … Comedy writers Pamm Demmyck and Remmy Dessyvyr then appear. Pamm is the boss; Remmy fights back. Remmy has principles; Pamm just wants to write jokes … Amourrica Profunda descends into political chaos caused by endemic polarization. The nation is in peril; Amourrica Profunda becomes "Mourrzicka" … Pamm and Remmy find success with their musical in the Triplethreat District of Megalopola … The Anarchic Rebel Patriots take over Mourrzicka which becomes "Isolamicka" … Turmerico Inflammatorio and his wife, Curcuma Moulu, develop a best-selling product called "Turmerican Wonder Fabric". Turmerico's daughter, Francka Inflammatorio, expects her eight-year old daughter Deandra to become a predatory capitalist; Deandra defies her Mommy … Sunnie's brother Bobbie encounters Chester, a "shaman for good". Bobbie helps Chester investigate a nearby cult ceremony. Two women wait for the ceremony to begin. Female One, a "hustler", is more dominant; Female Two is more passive and academic. They converse. At the ceremony, a collection of perverse and eccentric characters is gathered by a pit, lit up with torches. At the bottom of the pit, an older man and a middle-aged woman lay side by side on two cement slabs. The woman is dressed as a scarecrow; the man as a clown … Bobbie flees the cult ceremony; he drives to his friend Tommie's home. Tommie's not there; Bobbie finds a haunted house. Bobbie enacts a destructive plan. A space goddess appears; two witches greet Bobbie … A cataclysm occurs.
Trainwreck: My Life as an Idoit by Jeff Nichols
3.0
"......... When life gives you lemons, not everyone makes lemonade, but in the case of "Train Wreck", Jeff has done just that. Thank the Universe (or whatever cosmic deity you choose) this book is politically incorrect, because if it wasn't, it would have been a bore. As someone who has spent years in the NYC alternative comedy / performance art / Way Off Broadway lowest level of show business (lower than Jeff), I understand how cruel, bleak and depressing the reality of being a writer / performer / performance artist / comedian can be. Whenever Jeff experienced yet another failure, real or imagined, I could relate to having been there -- to the horrible, soulless day jobs -- and to his struggle to persevere. He laments that life ultimately ends up being a series of administrative tasks.
Regarding Jeff's background -- the grass is not always greener in the world of the cold, unhappy, moneyed WASP and his non-giving "holding pattern". And as much as I respect the fact that 12 Step programs have saved countless lives, I am so grateful to my Higher Power that Jeff made fun of how ridiculous, indulgent and hypocritical 12-Steppers can be (including himself), in the process showing himself to be an independent thinker, and not just another maxim-spouting participant in the herd mentality. Through all of this, "Train Wreck" vividly portrays the absurdity of the "Broadway Danny Rose" nature of the New York City demi-monde. If you want to stay sober, read this book!!!!! (JUST KIDDING -- go to a meeting -- LOSER!!!!!) ..........
-- Stephen C. Bird, author of "Hideous Exuberance: A Satire""
Regarding Jeff's background -- the grass is not always greener in the world of the cold, unhappy, moneyed WASP and his non-giving "holding pattern". And as much as I respect the fact that 12 Step programs have saved countless lives, I am so grateful to my Higher Power that Jeff made fun of how ridiculous, indulgent and hypocritical 12-Steppers can be (including himself), in the process showing himself to be an independent thinker, and not just another maxim-spouting participant in the herd mentality. Through all of this, "Train Wreck" vividly portrays the absurdity of the "Broadway Danny Rose" nature of the New York City demi-monde. If you want to stay sober, read this book!!!!! (JUST KIDDING -- go to a meeting -- LOSER!!!!!) ..........
-- Stephen C. Bird, author of "Hideous Exuberance: A Satire""