BuzzFlash Reviews

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS

What an amazingly delightful and overlooked book, the brain child of literary prodigy, Dave Eggers.

More than 200 authors, artists and musicians collaborated to put together this now collectors item in 2004, with the proceeds going to progressive organizations to help defeat Bush. Obviously, the goal was not achieved, but the marvelous, whimsical, diverse, art lives on.

As typical of Dave Eggers, the concept is inventive and intriguing. As his publishing house, McSweeney's, noted at the time it came out: "This book was conceived as a way to bring almost two hundred authors and artists together to promote progressive causes in the November 2004 election. The book is an imagining of what a dictionary might look like about thirty years hence, when all or most of the world's problems are solved and our current president is a distant memory. The book is by turns funny, outraged, utopian, and dyspeptic."

Each dictionary of the future entry is written by a different noted writer, and the book is filled with playful,whimsical art work.

To top it off, a CD of original songs by recording artists such as Tom Waits, David Byrne, R.E.M., and other contemporary edge bands is included -- 22 cuts in all.

This is a real treat that delights you with every page of "future dictionary" entries, the art work, the songs.

Because it was done to raise money for the 2004 election, its value as a unique collaboration of authors, artists and singers somehow got forgotten.

When we recently discovered it, we were totally taken by its droll wit, its concept, and its celebration of collaboration.

The humor is wry, the artwork is fanciful, and the songs are great.

What a find!

And since it is allegedly the "sixth edition" of a dictionary begun in 2016, when Bush and his ship of dangerous fools are long gone, it is hardly dated in 2007.

If you love droll humor, political art and good contemporary music, "The Future Dictionary of America" is for you. If "American Pie" and "Beerfest" are your cup of tea, this is not the book and CD that you want.

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS