Shelf Life: Books For Those In Need Of Laughter

Recently a piece on the Internet reported many Americans suffering stress and depression from this craziest of elections. Perhaps you find yourself in that condition. For others, including some of my family and friends, the precursors of winter—the cold rain of November, the leafless trees, the paling sun—can cast a shadow of gloom on their days.
           
​We cannot hold back the change of season. If we could distance ourselves from the presidential race—by distance I mean pitch camp on Mars—we might take amusement in the antics of the candidates and their red-faced, screaming followers. You have to admit: if you held no stake in the government, if the election truly had no impact whatsoever on you, you might regard the presidential race as a riot of unintended comedy.

But since you and I do have to live with the consequences of this election, and since December, January, and February are right around the corner, we must look elsewhere for an antidote for our black mood.
           
Hence, the books below:

1. John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces takes the reader into the crazy life of Ignatius J. Reilly, denizen of New Orleans, obese, unemployable, a crank extraordinaire who spouts medieval theology and philosophy, tries to lead a workers’ revolt, castigates modern culture, and loves to eat hot dogs and drink Dr. Nut. In addition to Reilly, readers meet a host of other hilarious eccentrics. This Pulitzer Prize Winner should cheer you to laughter in your dark days.http://amzn.to/2fGuKCl
   
2. Mark Helprin’s Freddy And Fredericka tells the story of Freddy, heir to the throne of England, his wife Fredericka, who is nearly as much of a bubblehead as her husband, and their growth in their love for their country and for each other as they embark on a mission to reclaim America for England. Partly a spoof—Freddy and Fredericka are loosely based on Prince Charles and Princess Diana—and partly a celebration of both the English monarchy and the grandeur of American ideals and geography, Freddy and Fredericka had me laughing aloud. Read the account of the presidential election if you need some relief from our present fiasco. (If you dislike word play and puns, this may not be the book for you). http://amzn.to/2eGy3Zs
   
3. I had the honor of exchanging a few letters with Miss Florence King a couple of years before she died. Before her death, Miss King, who billed herself as an “old maid,” “a spinster,” “a misanthrope,” and “a monarchist,” was one of the wittiest of American essayists. Her take on culture, politics, sexuality, and other issues could be hilarious and withering, and though viewed as a conservative, she aimed her formidable pen at targets ranging from the Clintons to Republican Populists. Read her essays for some laughs and some wisdom. Avoid The Florence King Reader, which contains dross as well as gold. Begin instead with Reflections In A Jaundiced Eye.  http://amzn.to/2fGkUEf

Buck up, dear readers. Spring always follows winter, and if we can laugh at our politicians, even they may eventually crawl away and leave us in peace.

Best wishes and happy reading!

If you enjoyed this piece, please like and share. If you decide to order one of the books, or find out more about them, copying or pasting the link at the end of each short review will take you to Amazon.