Boots Riley

This book was packed in with McSweeney's #48, but I'm reviewing it separately. I have to say, it's the star of the show. Written by Boots Riley, the lead vocalist for the 'political hip-hop' group The Coup, it's a screenplay about an African-American man named Cassius Green who gets a job as a telemarketer for the "WorryFree" corporation, which offers lifetime employment and security to the masses, but with hidden downsides. Cassius gets really good at his job after taking a tip to use his show more 'white voice', and soon finds himself torn between his friends and ascending in what is almost exclusively a white man's world.

I loved this book. The points Riley makes while satirizing capitalism and race relations are heavy, but he doesn't do it in a heavy-handed way. It's light, smart, and funny. I loved the dialogue. There is an interesting science-fiction/futuristic/absurd bent to it which reminded me in tone of Soviet writers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (in a good way, if you're not familiar with them). It had great pace and editing - to the point, and without a bit of unnecessary action. Definitely worth buying #48 specially for, and I only wish I knew a Hollywood producer who I could foist this upon, after first slapping the banana daiquiri out of his hands. show less

I picked this up because I really liked the movie and wanted to know more. Unfortunately, there wasn't more to learn. The movie followed this screenplay pretty much dead on. It still was fun to read, as the writing is pretty dang witty! I also liked Riley's letter at the beginning and his thank you page and bio brief. Also pretty dang witty!