Max Apple

(3.5 stars)

In this short story collection, Max Apple take popular icons and refracts their universes so that their stories become a little bent from the ones we know. Howard Johnson, the restaurant/hotel maven, gets caught up in cryogenics. The charm of Gerald Ford must be combined with the consumption of a friend's doughnuts for him to rise to power. A "Let's Make a Deal"-type game show raises its contestants to such frenzy that their momentum carries them through even when the host is show more shot.

It's an approach I like (Jim Shepard does the same thing). And when Max Apple originally wrote these stories, I imagine they were cutting edge. The problem with time, however, is that cutting edge ideas become cliches and appreciation for the originator easily gets lost (even despite ourselves). The "Let's Make a Deal" story, for instance, is a satire on the hypnotic effect of television which can subvert basic human decency and values. Apple wrote that story sometime before 1974. Since that time, the theme has been rehashed in so many ways. (The movie "Network," which was judged outrageous in its time, was released in 1976.)

But let us praise the original thinkers, and remember Max Apple (to whom, I would guess, Jim Shepard also owes a debt). show less

I happened upon this on my book shelf and Max apple and his beloved Grandmother Gootie convinced me that I needed to read this book right away. And now I love Gootie too!! Max opens up a whole new world of interesting characters. As a clueless goy I was fascinated. The fact that these characters and events are real makes them that much more compelling. As often happens, I now want to read another book. "Roommates" is actually the first book in the tale. It tells more of Max's relationship show more with his Grandfather who is also a prominent character in "I Love Gootie" show less