Over this past holiday weekend I also finished reading “The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil” by George Saunders.
From Amazon.Com’s book description:
Welcome to Inner Horner, a nation so small it can only accommodate one citizen at a time. The other six citizens must wait their turns in the Short-Term Residency Zone of the surrounding country of Outer Horner. It’s a long-standing arrangement between the fantastical, not-exactly-human citizens of the two countries. But when Inner Horner suddenly shrinks, forcing three-quarters of the citizen then in residence over the border into Outer Horner territory, the Outer Hornerites declare an Invasion In Progress–having fallen under the spell of the power-hungry and demagogic Phil. So begins The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil.
This is rightfully classified as a novella. And even at that, it’s short. It’s too long to be a short story though.
For such a short book, there is a lot going on here. Many political statements. Many statements about the media. And a statement (?) at the end regarding religion. Even with these, it is an interesting story. A very interesting concept. In the wrong hands this could have turned into a full fledged novel that would have caved in under the useless weight. The ever present wit also made it entertaining.
George Saunders
What can be said of any views Mr. Saunders is mentioning can be read in many various places on the internet. To be honest, I wasn’t looking for them. I didn’t want them, and ignored them. The story itself and the concept carried this for me. The ending, by many, could be seen as some allegory or even a statement for or against religion. I found it funny in most respects. More like a kid/adult playing fantasy and being upset that his “creations” are not playing nice. And it is ironic, too. It strikes against megalomania, labeling Phil as a monster, yet the creator is in many was one (a megalomaniac that is) as well.
It took over a year before this book showed up on BookMooch and I nabbed a copy of it. Though much shorter then I had hoped, it turned out better that way. And it was worth the wait. Especially since it was “free.”
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