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The
Politics of
Meaning: by Daniel Graham, Jr. (Preview Press, 1995.) Reviewed by Jonathan Dolhenty, Ph.D. I have become thoroughly convinced that only libertarians and conservatives have a sense of humor anymore and can write good satire. I can't think of a single liberal writer who's writing satire at all, much less good satire. Liberals just don't seem to have a sense of humor. They seem to suffer from a chronic case of psychological constipation. It is with a great deal of pleasure that I introduce you to Daniel Graham, Jr. and his latest novel The Politics of Meaning. I suspected I was in for a reading treat when I first opened the book and read the disclaimer: "The characters and situations portrayed in this book are fiction and not intended to resemble anyone living or dead. The author maintains that nobody as incompetent, amoral, and ridiculous as the characters in this novel could under any circumstances achieve success in American politics." Then I knew I was in for a reading treat when I saw the author's dedication: "I can't find anyone to dedicate this book to. My mother declined after threatening to wash my mouth out with soap. My wife immediately sought an injunction to protect herself and our kids from the honor. No better luck with my fair-weather friends." After more explanation of why he couldn't find anyone to dedicate his book to, Graham allows the reader to fill in a blank and dedicate the book to anyone of his own choosing. I can't say I've ever seen this technique before and it gives you a clue as to the author's unique style of humor. Anyway, the novel is a satire on contemporary American politics and a good one at that, guaranteed to tickle your funny-bone. It follows a married couple, Jim Potter and Leslie Rhodes, from their college days to their involvement in high politics, achieved through means most of us would not want to be associated with. Leslie, a lawyer with the law firm of Rosewater, is the brains behind the political intrigue and Jim, who by dubious means keeps getting elected to higher and higher office, is the bumbling instrument she uses to achieve political power. Of course, Jim is really busy with more personal activities and Leslie has her hands full keeping him on track. There are many memorable characters that Jim and Leslie meet on their path to ever higher political office. Mac Doodle is planning to build the Blue Mountain Ski Resort and involves the pair as small investors. Doodle plans to buy a small savings and loan to help raise the money for the investment. As Doodle explains it to Jim and Leslie: "We use the S&L to raise money through customer savings accounts and by selling certificates of deposit, about twenty million in the first year. Then Blue Mountain Ski Resort borrows the funds at a competitive rate." As Leslie points out: "You make money on both sides of the deal!" Other characters include Tony Androgynophilus, a personal aide to Jim but secretly under the total control of Leslie, and Randy "Scooter" Scott, a law partner of Leslie's with whom she is secretly having an affair. What happens to Scooter toward the end of the book will be familiar to you and, while shocking in a way, will force you to decide whether this is life imitating art or art imitating life. I won't give you a clue as to the situation involving Scooter but it is certainly as fresh as today's news. Leslie Rhodes is the most powerful character in the novel and gives expression to that old saying once part of an advertising campaign: "You've come a long way, baby!" Her rationalizations for what most of us would consider amoral behavior are no surprise to those of us who continuously scrutinize the political scene. Graham does an excellent job of making these rationalizations believable. I guarantee the end of the book will catch you off guard. I didn't expect the book to end as it did but, after thinking about it for a few minutes, I shouldn't have been surprised at all. It is the only logical ending to Jim's political career considering the way in which he allowed it to be conducted. The book is a dark comedy just as the author says. But I disagree with him on one point. When Graham says in his disclaimer that nobody as incompetent, amoral, and ridiculous as the characters in his novel could achieve success in American politics, he is dead wrong. They have and they do. The Politics of Meaning may be fiction but it could serve just as well as an introduction to political science in most of America's colleges. I urge you to get this book and read it. It is both informative and entertaining. I know you'll enjoy it and it's a fine example of contemporary satire. You may purchase a copy from Amazon.com by clicking HERE. Enrich your life with a book about politics and current events... Enrich your political & social life with a politics or news magazine... |
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