Friday Fiction: Election Reads by Alex Snider

Well, this was a depressing list to compile considering how many cautionary novels and satires have actually described events that we're going through right now. But still, if you aren't furious enough about the state of democracy in Canada then read these! Then vote, for fuck's sakes!

1984 by George Orwell -- Fun fact, I haven't read it!

The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollop -- A government that can't function because of partisan divisions. Hahahahahaha!

The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon -- Set during the cold-war, a Korean War veteran is brain-washed to kill a Presidential candidate. Hmm... Gabrielle Griffiths??

Wag the Dog by Larry Beinhardt -- Another satire that has pretty much come true. Someone needs to start writing a novel about future politics where democracy works and politicians aren't actively trying to screw their constituents. 

It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis -- A satire about witch-hunts and extreme right-wing politics with a healthy dose of Catch-22 stirred in, would be hilarious if it wasn't actually happening here.  

All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren -- Hot damn, this is a fine novel! Please read it? Pretty please? I will lend you my copy? IT IS SO GOOD! I wish I could read it again for the first time.

The Ugly American by Eugene Burdick -- Cautionary tale about American politicians who go to war then fail miserably because they don't give a rat's ass about the people who they are supposed to be 'saving'.

Election by Tom Perrotta -- A palate cleanser.

Happy Friday?