I read a book so you didn't have to, vol 2: Lucifer's Lexicon, by L. A. Rollins
Apparently you guys really like when I do book reviews, based on the singular review I’ve ever taken the time to write out, so this time I thought I’d do something a little more light-hearted.
That doesn’t mean its clean, mind you…
I had actually forgotten that I had ordered this book from Underworld Amusements. For those of you familiar with its spiritual predecessor, The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce, this book is very much in keeping with that strain of satirical sensibility.
The book begins with a preface by the publisher eulogizing the late author rather elegantly, while not shying away from the circumstances of his life. I could only hope to have similar treatment upon my own demise. It is followed by an introduction by someone by the name of MRDA, who I’ll admit I’m not personally familiar enough with for that name to have any personal significance for me, but they give an intriguing insight into the history of the book and its various drafts, as well as the author himself.
As for the actual contents of the book, you can literally open it to any page and find something to amuse and/or offend you. In fact, I would almost guarantee both. The author is an epic satirist of the classical order, and absolutely nothing is off-limits or sacred. The high likelihood of finding something in these pages that offends your personal sensibilities (albeit, eloquently so) is offset by the schadenfreude of reading things you know would offend people you find offensive.
Some particular examples of note that caught my own eye:
Atheist, n. One who is as omniscient as the deity whose existence he denies. One who does not believe in God but is still holier than thou. A Biblebanger-basher. A theist.
Civil Libertarian, n. A phony First Amendment Fundamentalist who pretends to defend our sacred freedom to complain about our slavery.
Lunchmeat, n. Meat that, by definition, one eats for lunch and not for any other meal.
Market, The, n. A mythical creature featured in the folklore of capitalism.
Patriot, n. One who loves a parade—and a charade. In the post-9/11 United States, one who wears an American Flag pin to show his love for Israel.
It quickly becomes apparent that absolutely nothing and no one is spared a literary skewering. Men, women, liberal, conservative, etc, are all present and accounted for proper lambasting. If you read and enjoyed the original Devil’s Dictionary, then this book will feel like a perfect contemporary to that work.
As a bonus, the copy I ordered from the publisher’s site came with a small booklet entitled “What God Has Revealed to Man", in what I can only describe as the kind of brilliant high-brow troll move that appeals to my sense of humor, the booklet’s contents are completely blank.
