[reviews]
[masthead]
George Saunders, Pastoralia
reviewed by Joe Vanderhyde
George Saunders' Pastoralia is filled with a biting repugnant humor that side-shows all things held high and holy by those in the good ole’ U S of A. Throughout this eccentric collection of stories he paints twisted images of American life through the use of his unique voice, unrefined metaphors, irreverent dialogue and uncensored zombie goo. All of his characters are wounded and floundering in different states of recession, struggling to stand up straight with what little gumption they have left in their guts. They have been stifled by circumstance, and are trying to better those around them even though they are confined to dead-end jobs as male strippers, pretend cave people, solderers, barbers and drug store greeters.
In the title story, the narrator gives his all to avoid being terminated from his demeaning job as a pretend caveman during a Staff Remixing, so that he can continue to provide for his family. His life is methodical and dictated by Reserve Crackers, Partner Performance Evaluations, and pink human refuse bags. He has to deal with the stress of his sick child and his cranky partner, Janet, who does not seem to want to be in the cavewomen business anymore as she replaces grunts with English expletives and pretending to catch and eat flies with smoking Marlboro lights.
In “The End of FIRPO in the World” a little kid with big visions, who is constantly tormented by his bullies, neighbors, and family, plans ultimate revenge with a wooden lozenge and a garden hose before he is hit by overwhelming tragedy. And in “Sea Oak” a mediocre male stripper, who is too afraid to show off his “stuff,” is woken up by the sudden death of his Aunt. It is her death and her unlived life, with which she did nothing but care for those around her, that inspire him to show his goods and move his sisters, their potty-mouths, and their babies into a nicer apartment complex.
Pastoralia is one of the most unique and entertaining collections of short stories ever written. Saunders has breathed life into characters that have only previously been experienced in dreams and on acid trips. They are a combination of sorrow, animation, sniffles, and smirks. In the world of Pastoralia, a societal apocalypse appears to have taken place and Saunders bears witness for all those victims who still remain and who continue to strive for something better.
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George Saunders will be reading with Jason Ockert at Eastern Michigan University at the Sponberg Theatre, 6pm
FEATURED:
An Interview with Peter Ho Davies