Full Description
15 Bytes Book Award
2021 Independent Publisher Book Awards, Gold Medal Winner
In English disparate means "different" or "miscellaneous"-apt descriptors of these essays by Patrick Madden. In Spanish, however, disparate means "nonsense," "folly," or "absurdity,"-words appropriate to Madden's goal of undercutting any notion that essays must be serious business. Thus, in this collection, the essays are frivolous and lively, aiming to make readers laugh while they think about such abstract subjects as happiness and memory and unpredictability.
In this vein, Madden takes sidelong swipes at weighty topics via form, with wildly meandering essays, abandoned essays in honor of the long tradition of essayists disparaging their own efforts, and guerrilla essays-which slip in quietly under the guise of a borrowed form, abruptly attack, and promptly escape, leaving laughter and contemplation in their wake. Madden also incorporates cameos from guest essayists, including Mary Cappello, Matthew Gavin Frank, David Lazar, Michael Martone, Jericho Parms, and Wendy S. Walters, much like a musician features other performers.
Disparates reflects the current zeitgeist by taking on important issues with a touch of cleverness, a dash of humor, and a little help from one's friends.
Contents
/disparate/
Writer Michael Martone's Leftover Water: Imbibe literary genius (dozens of authors) in one swig!
Nostalgia (feat. Lawrence Sutin)
Insomnia (feat. Lina MarÍa Ferreira Cabeza-Vanegas)
Unpredictable Essays
Laughter (feat. Jericho Parms)
Order
Memorizing the Lyrics
Repast
Happiness (feat. Amy Leach)
Memory
Alfonsina y el Mar
Mea Culpa
Expectations (feat. Desirae Matherly)
Freewill (feat. Joe Oestreich)
In Step with . . . Montaigne (feat. David Lazar)
Timing
Inertia
Thumbs (feat. Elena Passarello & Wendy S. Walters)
Smells (feat. Stephen Haynie)
The Proverbial __________
Poetry
Old Time Rock and Roll (feat. Michael Martone)
The Arrogance of Style
Distance (feat. Joni Tevis)
Beat on the Brat
Against the Wind
Pangram Haiku
Plums (feat. Matthew Gavin Frank)
Solstice
Listening (feat. Mary Cappello)
