The Thought Gang

If you love philosophy and have an appreciation for the absurd you will probably enjoy this book. Tibor Fischer has written a novel that I found dependable in producing humor evidenced by my smiles and more often than not outright laughter.

The story demonstrates the sublime absurdity of a middle-aged philosopher who is running from his academic publisher and others; and while doing so finds himself in France about to join with a semi-successful thief (the thief has recently been released from prison) ultimately entering into a series of adventures. Coffin uses a first-person narration (numbered in sections, like a philosophical treatise) that is not terribly mellifluous, but becomes fun through the use of wisecracks about Epictetus and show more Zeno--as well as Coffin's unexplained fascination with words that begin with the letter Z. The style gets to you (at least it did for this reader). He juxtaposes intellectual metaphysics and juvenile gangster fantasy as evidenced by the line, ``The thing about a gun is, it's like being on the right side of a Socratic dialogue."

The result of the philosophical and adventurous mish-mash is a delightfully wacky book that has echoes of Tristram Shandy and other books of that sort. Read it at your own philosophical risk. show less

A hilarious, darkly comic novel about a professor who turns to bank robbing with a one-armed accomplice. This is sort of an existential comedy, with lots of bizarre philosophical musings and digressions. Like all of Fischer's books, it can get a bit precious, but the humor is really gut-busting at points. All of his books are worth checking out, but my least favorite is "Voyage to the End of the Room." This or "Under the Frog" is #1. Both are recommended (but very different)!

A lot of fun. Feels a little of-its-time, but not necessarily dated. Very strong, convincing voice (better than Amis, with whose early work this book (particularly the earlier parts) must often be compared). Curiously inspiring. Get zet.

L'idea è geniale. Un filosofo cialtrone, truffatore e amante della bella vita incontra un rapinatore menomato ma affamato di conoscenza, e i due si uniscono per rapinare banche allo scopo di riempirsi le tasche e diffondere la zetetica (onorata branca della filosofia).
Il libro è divertente, ma purtroppo spesso ripetitivo e i tentativi di risolvere alcune situazioni con un fraseggio mirabolante alla lunga stancano.
Da leggere, ma difficilmente da rileggere.

A lazy, aging, out-of-work British philosopher becomes partners with a one-armed robber. Together they travel through France robbing banks and wondering what they should do next. Tibor Fischer has a unique writing style which really makes the book what it is. Between his dry sense of humor and use of words beginning with the letter "z" the reader will find themselves caught up in something they're not completely sure they understand. Be warned, if weird, off-kilter books aren't your thing, this probably isn't the book for you. However, if want something that's like nothing you've ever read before, dive right in. This is definitely one of those books that you can read a second time and discover just as much as you did the first time.

"I smell a nosebleed."

I'm always a sucker for smart writers doing really elaborate lowbrow kick-in-the-nuts/cheap pun type humor. And, TTG has more adjectiveized verbs than any other book I own.

A madcap romp involving a highly unlikely gang who commits robberies based on the principles of various philosophers. The characters are off-center and engaging and the plot is loopy and fun.