Boomsday
by Christopher Buckley
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Book Reviews of Boomsday
Book Review: Great Humor With A Serious Message
Summary: 5 Stars
If official DC is a royal court, then Chris Buckley is its chief jester because he is both funny and clever.
He's funny in Boomsday because of the ridiculous situations he puts his characters through in the book. There is something to chuckle or laugh out loud about on nearly every page.
But Buckley's more than a gag man. He's also clever because he makes some serious points, namely that Social Security will soon bankrupt this country without reform. That's no joke and Buckley handles both the comedy points and the policy points well here.
So, if you are interested, get this book. You will have a great time reading it. But afterward, it also will give you something to think about. Not a lot of humor books do that. Boomsday does.
Book Review: Some Great Moments Dragged Down by the Blunt Hammer
Summary: 3 Stars
Buckley is an entertaining satirist and while I enjoyed this book fairly well, I have to knock a star off due to the heavy handed and at times insultingly simplistic manner in which he deals with his BIG THEMES.
In order for satire like this to really work, one must believe that things could actually occur in the real world, and that's where this fell apart. It just wasn't clever enough to pull of its conceit and was so improbable that it was impossible to suspend disbelief.
And then - the story just ends - bang - it's over. The ending felt like Buckley simply tired of the story and simply quit.
Thank You for Smoking was wonderful and it's clear that Buckley has a great talent - it's just not on full display here.
Book Review: Original, poignant and funny, but a little uneven
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the first Christopher Buckley novel I have read, but I did see the movie Thank You For Smoking (which I loved). Boomsday was much as I expected it would be. Biting and original satire in the same vein as Thank You For Smoking. I did find it a bit slow moving at first and there are some passages that are a bit too obvious as set ups for background. Although I haven't yet read any other Buckley novels, I sense this one wasn't his best.
Still, I admire Buckley's writing style and there were several instances where I couldn't help laughing out loud. His writing is to the point, scathing, edgy, and entertaining. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. I, for one, will be reading more from Christopher Buckley.
Book Review: There's a Little Truth in All Humor
Summary: 5 Stars
Christopher Buckley has nailed it with Boomsday. It's entertaining, informative, thought-provocating and laugh-out-loud funny. Don't read it for any great insight into the new "age wars" it has helped fuel, between entitlement-oriented Boomers and independent-minded Gen Xers. Buckley doesn't get into any of the underlying reasons for the generational rift. Instead, he plays it straight, simply letting his story tell the story.
The characters are, well, characters, and by the time you're not even half way through the book you feel as if you know them. I found the book a delight and fun.
Anyone who takes it too seriously needs to have his or her funny bone examined. Buy it, read it, enjoy it.
Book Review: Oderint Dum Metuant
Summary: 5 Stars
It means "let them hate so long as they fear". It is a needlepoint pillow in one of the main character's mother's living room. This book is a scream. Very, very funny, very prescient, better than "Smoking". the antagonists (there are no protagonists) are kind of insane, and just believable enough. The plot is genius: the day comes when everybody starts to retire at once. The economy groans while younger people turn out in violent demonstrations against the boomers. Various wacko solutions are offered - but are they really wacko? Look for details in 10 years. As usual Buckley - our own Thomas Swift - is just a half step ahead of the headlines. And like the man said, "all great ideas begin as a joke". Run get it.