Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans: The Best of McSweeney's Humor Category

Edited by Dave Eggers et al.

ISBN 10: 1400042240 / ISBN 13: 9781400042241

Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2004

About this Item

Stated First Edition. 239pp. Bright, clean & tight copy, unread, in AS NEW condition. "Now more than ever, Americans are troubled by questions. As sweaty modernity thrusts itself upon us, the veil of ignorance that cloaked our nation hangs in tatters, tattered tatters. Our 'funny bones' are neither fun nor bony. Glum is the new giddy, and the old giddy wasn't too giddy to begin with. [] What can be done to stop this relentless march of drabbery? Not much. Nothing we can think of. It's pretty much too late. The light of August turns to the overcast skies of autumn, and the taunting sting of winter cannot be far ahead on the highway of the road on the horizon. Who can sing a song without words? Maybe Bobby McFerrin, but is there anyone else? Where do we go when the party is over? Perhaps the afterparty. But what comes after the afterparty? [] Questions, there are so many questions, and then some queries, arriving via fax. To these we respond in the only way possible: Talk to the hand, because the face ain't listening. Nevertheless, we present the pages within as an offering of peace, as a message of hope, and as a perfumed hankie of love--a hankie drizzled with the intoxicating aroma that has only one name: ha-ha-oopsie." [jacket copy] Features playful work by Tim Carvell, Arthur Bradford, John Hodgman, Alysia Gray Painter, Tom Bissell, Michael Ian Black, Stephany Aulenback, Mark O'Donnell, Neal Pollack, Ben Greenman, many others. "In his introduction, McSweeney's founder Eggers says the goal of these short pieces, most of which originally appeared on the McSweeney's Web site, is to be 'funny without being humorous,' which is an open invitation for critical bashing. It's true that the short stories, essays and lists--oh, so many lists--tend not to have, or even try for, the sort of universal appeal that turns stand-up comedians into bestselling authors. Readers' reactions will depend on whether they share the same level of erudition and love for pop culture as the authors. Greg Purcell's spot-on impression of the deranged voice of Ezra Pound's later writings, for example, will work only for those who know Pound's work, while the 'Journal of a New COBRA Recruit' will be equally incomprehensible to people who didn't grow up with GI Joe in the 1980s. If you get the jokes, though, they can be side-splittingly hilarious. Of course, there are misfires, especially those that play with the idea of trying and failing to be funny."--Publishers Weekly. "Achieves the sensation of being hit by a hip, humorous train. . . Breaks mold after mold in hilarious fashion."--The New York Times. Pristine & handy hardcover w/brilliant corners & crisp edges, a square & tight binding, wrapped in a bright Chip Kidd design & Charles Burns illustrated intact jacket. Quite presentable.

Seller Inventory # RUB3016

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans: The Best of McSweeney's Humor Category
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1400042240
• ISBN 13: 9781400042241
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: As New
• Dust Jacket Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

A selection of top humorous pieces culled from the popular literary magazine includes, "Circumstance Under Which I Would Have Sex with Some of My Fellow Jurors," "Pirate Riddles for Sophisticates," and "The Ten Worst Films of All Time, as Reviewed by Ezra Pound over Italian Radio." 100,000 first printing.

About the Author

<i>McSweeney’s</i> is a small group that sells taxidermy equipment and also produces books, a literary quarterly, and <i>The Believer,</i> a monthly review. Based in San Francisco, <i>McSweeney’s </i>is also home to 826 Valencia, a nonprofit educational center for Bay Area youth.