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As COVID-19 begins its assault through America, the book’s narrator, a logophile and verbivore, is visited by the Masked One who “formulated out of the atmosphere” and implores him to follow and support the Diversity Officer, Basil Dekay, and “disrupt the dominant discourse.” But what is the dominant discourse? As the narrator surveilles Basil, her sexually confused husband, and her radical daughter, he expounds on the meaning and etymology of words, exchanges jokes with Portland’s elk statue, and comments on racism, queer theory, gender roles, social justice, and the Baboon President. As quarantine gives way to weeks of rioting in reaction to the murder of George Floyd, the narrator wonders if the looting and destruction in the city is indeed justice. But should he question the dominant discourse that says the anarchists are right? And what is the penalty for doing so?
This novel of speculative fiction is a delightful challenge with its unnamed narrator who questions whether justice can be achieved through the destructive forces at work during the riots in Portland, Oregon. The book is over 600 pages in length, including endnotes and over 500 illustrations, adding to its surreal narrative. Its characters are compelling and diverse, and the premise is intriguing as the narrator, prompted by the Masked One, wanders the city by following Basil and her family. He ponders the city’s destruction and its leaders’ reactions to it. The book is poignant and gives the reader much to think about with its social satire. It is a fun read with jokes that can be both hilarious and cringe-worthy. It gives one the opportunity to contemplate the meaning of justice and how it could/should be obtained. There are no definitive answers to its questions, but that is possibly the point. This is a read which shouldn’t be missed.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
A 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award Nominee