Customer Reviews

Mind Games

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These intensely compressed and acutely funny pieces are often more probing and layered than they first appear. The author's tagged a humorist, but that probably sells him short. Much of this stuff ("You Want a Piece of Me?" "Dreamer" and the title story in particular) displays an impressive mastery of style and considerable storytelling skill. "Dreamer" is striking. It's a hilarious yet emotionally intense assault on reality that (rather brilliantly) all but "dismisses itself" to drive its final point home. The shorter vignettes, filler in most similar collections, are especially well-crafted and laser sharp at times. Sort of like crossing John Hodgman, Philip K. Dick and classic old issues of Mad Magazine. 4.5 stars is more like it!

After finishing this book I SERIOUSLY felt like I needed to sit in the shower for two hours, rocking and holding myself - in the GOOD way. This book is demented and hilarious. And VERY re-readable. I love this writer, but I'd be scared to hang out with him (scared in the GOOD way.)

David Gianatasio successfully walks a difficult line: the intersection of humor and poignancy. He shows brilliant comic timing in "High-Anxiety Alphabet," disturbing hilarity in "Little Lies," beauty in "Free Spirit" and brilliance again in "...Post-Modern Geography Spelling Bee."

While I'm less enamored of the short "commercials," stories such as "You Want A Piece of Me?" make *Mind Games* a memorable--and worthwhile--read.