Review: Delusionism by Anthony Marais
Monday, December 15, 2008
Delusionism
by Anthony Marais
Balneum Books, 2008
119 pages, ISBN 0977479218
$11.95/Paperback
In "Delusionism", Anthony Marais presents roughly sixty-nine micro-essays, whose two sections (Culture vs. Nature and Art vs. Life) are divided by a hundred aphorisms. This is a forked-tongue-in-cheek exploration and oration, marketed as philosophy/self help--somewhat in the vein of Bierce's "Devil's Dictionary", but intending more to drive thought through humor than humor through thought.
The book is filled with thoughts--and thoughts about thoughts--and I was tempted to refer to its points heavily in this review. I was, in retrospect, surprised to not find an essay on Conversation or Discussion, though it's likely there was a fitting aphorism I'm not recalling. Regarding Genius, Marais says:
Has the reader ever noticed that thinking is easy? For most of us it's more difficult not to think than the contrary. It seems that with every turn of the head our brain showers us with thoughts, flashing across our mind's sky like fireworks. Indeed, the rush of ideas is a delightful feeling. Sometimes it seems to palpably flow through our body in a euphoric, almost tickling sensation. Interestingly, it's often ideas we perceive as untruths that tickles us most: absurd, ridiculous thoughts that produce outrageous images. People who, with a haphazard turn of the head, stumble upon these thoughts sometimes find themselves giggling aloud in public, or walking with a silly, conspicuous skip. This is genius: the ability to produce freely and easily new thoughts. And the sensation is pleasurable.
It is genius, this genius, that Marais seems to strive for with this book; and from how often I laughed along, I think he often hit his mark. With a wink and a nudge, he delivers essays on topics ranging from Originality and The Quest For Happiness to Pet Rocks and Books vs. Movies. Some play straight, some verso--and others strive for double duty, contradicting not only convention, but, subtly perhaps, themselves as well.
Of course, some insights are more clever than others--some are obvious, some simply plain, and some a bit muddled. But the overall attempt, I think, makes a very worthwhile platter of intellectual finger food that could well be grown into a banquet given the right crowd. I found myself half wanting to keep notes as I read, to argue back with the author and see where more thoughts led--so perhaps this is a book better read with a friend. But I suspect the author would be pleased even with my reaction to those essays I was not moved by, or felt were less than a hundred percent presented: I thought.
If this sounds interesting, you might also consider our review of The Cure, a novel by Anthony Marais.
25 comments; 17 subscribers
Intimidates the brave, degrades the great.
Samuel Johnson
George Washington Carver
It Takes A Bigger Man To Laugh At That Man
Jack Handy
-Sandra Marais
Author Unknown
~Author Unknown
Ambrose Bierce
pantslearson@yahoo.com
Gloria Steinam
"Y'know, everytime I think God can't screw me any worse, he pulls out the ol' Black & Decker and twists a little harder." -Becker
"Interesting. You're being persecuted by a God you don't believe in." -Margaret
"That's why he's after me, Margaret." -Becker
Marcel Achard
Robert Graves
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ladycat713
Everyone else--if you like quotes, aphorisms, thoughts, and such--go out and get yourselves a copy, too (or ask your local librarian!). :)
And check out "A Guide to Surreal Botany" for another chance to win :)
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