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spill
SPILL, in which a fired English teachers scams the political system, gets the girl, the money and a killer skaterboarder video game.
Long
SPILL, in which a fired English teachers scams the political system, gets the girl, the money and a killer skaterboarder video game. Big Oil + Sex = Game On
If you can't imagine one thing Rush Limbaugh and Keith Olbermann could agree on, you need to read a novel both sides of the political spectrum will find laughing-out-loud funny. Our toxic political atmosphere could use a few grins.
Fred Underwood, a failed English teacher fired long before retirement age, now makes his living as a package deliveryman. Seeing a gasoline station advertising its per gallon price at $4.15, an idea strikes him—how to use the political system to get rich. He will run as a Democratic candidate in an all Republican area for the state’s House of Representatives on an ultra-liberal campaign of nationalizing the oil industry, socializing medicine and banning handguns. His accomplice, Zoe, the female bartender he lusts for, will run against him so there will be a Democratic primary. He theorizes his campaign will encourage Big Oil and other special interests groups to donate money to her campaign and they will share the proceeds.
Thus begins a wild and very funny read.
Long
SPILL, in which a fired English teachers scams the political system, gets the girl, the money and a killer skaterboarder video game. Big Oil + Sex = Game On
If you can't imagine one thing Rush Limbaugh and Keith Olbermann could agree on, you need to read a novel both sides of the political spectrum will find laughing-out-loud funny. Our toxic political atmosphere could use a few grins.
Fred Underwood, a failed English teacher fired long before retirement age, now makes his living as a package deliveryman. Seeing a gasoline station advertising its per gallon price at $4.15, an idea strikes him—how to use the political system to get rich. He will run as a Democratic candidate in an all Republican area for the state’s House of Representatives on an ultra-liberal campaign of nationalizing the oil industry, socializing medicine and banning handguns. His accomplice, Zoe, the female bartender he lusts for, will run against him so there will be a Democratic primary. He theorizes his campaign will encourage Big Oil and other special interests groups to donate money to her campaign and they will share the proceeds.
Thus begins a wild and very funny read.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2011
1 person is currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Randy Attwood
44 books65 followersI grew up on the grounds of a Kansas insane asylum where my father was a dentist. I attended the University of Kansas during the troubled 1960s getting a degree in art history. After stints writing and teaching in Italy and Japan I had a 16-year career in newspapers as reporter, editor and column writer winning major awards in all categories. I turned to health care public relations serving as director of University Relations at KU Medical Center. I finished my career as media relations officer of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Now retired, I am marketing the fiction I've written over all those years. And creating more.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 11, 2012
Note: Read 10/7/2011; reposting review in preparation for a giveaway on my blog next week
Book Info Genre: Satire, quirky humor Reading Level: Adult
My Synopsis: Fred Underwood, a former English teacher and current delivery carrier, is fed up with the high price of gas. He believes the oil companies are price gouging and decides to take a stand. Together with his friend Zoe X. Quinn (that X is important – read the book and you’ll understand), he hatches a plot to not only get some attention to the problem with the oil companies, but to make a bit of money in the process. What he doesn’t expect is for the Big Oil companies to sit up and take notice …
My Thoughts: Filled with intriguing characters, and an amusing subplot involving skateboarding gamers, Spill is a comic tour de farce that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys political satire, generally humorous story-lines, and great writing. Randy has outdone himself on this one – give it a read as soon as possible!
Book Info Genre: Satire, quirky humor Reading Level: Adult
My Synopsis: Fred Underwood, a former English teacher and current delivery carrier, is fed up with the high price of gas. He believes the oil companies are price gouging and decides to take a stand. Together with his friend Zoe X. Quinn (that X is important – read the book and you’ll understand), he hatches a plot to not only get some attention to the problem with the oil companies, but to make a bit of money in the process. What he doesn’t expect is for the Big Oil companies to sit up and take notice …
My Thoughts: Filled with intriguing characters, and an amusing subplot involving skateboarding gamers, Spill is a comic tour de farce that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys political satire, generally humorous story-lines, and great writing. Randy has outdone himself on this one – give it a read as soon as possible!
May 4, 2016
A bit of a spoof on the condition of our world, when Fred Underwood has a proposition for Zoe Quinn, she is a bit confused but then goes along and the two become candidates against each other in a run for the democratic seat for the house of representatives. Of course politics makes for strange bedfellows and also corrupt practices as the donations start coming in and the story takes readers on a fun filled ride behind the world of politics and more. I found the writer has a good style that readers will like and the story a quick, but sometimes humorous look at life.
October 28, 2015
A fun and funny social commentary
In this clever, hysterical novel, by Randy Atwood, absolutely nothing is sacred. Sometimes political spoof, often a parody on big business, Atwood even takes a swipe at the health/insurance industry. ALWAYS a satire on life, Atwood takes us on a riotous journey that begins with one man, Fred Underwood's, dream for riches. This means running for political office. His scheme gets him far more than he bargained for but it is not the center point of this plot.
His his running platform is "we don't trust big oil." This becomes a near mantra, not only to Fred's political career...I love the debate scene... but to a whole new, young generation by sending them the message in the form of a video game--a language they understand--which may sound sad, but I believe they are a stewing pot just waiting to boil. All it will take is the right person sending the volatile message. And that's how our political system was created, isn't it? It's not set in stone. It is a wondrous creation, a huge social experiment.
But this book clearly shows us how deeply broken this system really is and how close to an oligarchy we truly are. One of my favorite quotes in this book is: "If Jefferson were to hear that football teams worth multi-millions of dollars charge ticket prices high enough that a working family can’t attend a game and couldn’t build their own stadiums without the people’s help, he’d puke."
Can we, little men and women, still win? Will we take back our own governmental reins and save ourselves and the world we are so recklessly destroying in the name of, "Big Business?" I think so, if we just take a giant step away from our own tiny comfort zone and make our collective voices heard and scream..."Take that, Big Oil!"
In this clever, hysterical novel, by Randy Atwood, absolutely nothing is sacred. Sometimes political spoof, often a parody on big business, Atwood even takes a swipe at the health/insurance industry. ALWAYS a satire on life, Atwood takes us on a riotous journey that begins with one man, Fred Underwood's, dream for riches. This means running for political office. His scheme gets him far more than he bargained for but it is not the center point of this plot.
His his running platform is "we don't trust big oil." This becomes a near mantra, not only to Fred's political career...I love the debate scene... but to a whole new, young generation by sending them the message in the form of a video game--a language they understand--which may sound sad, but I believe they are a stewing pot just waiting to boil. All it will take is the right person sending the volatile message. And that's how our political system was created, isn't it? It's not set in stone. It is a wondrous creation, a huge social experiment.
But this book clearly shows us how deeply broken this system really is and how close to an oligarchy we truly are. One of my favorite quotes in this book is: "If Jefferson were to hear that football teams worth multi-millions of dollars charge ticket prices high enough that a working family can’t attend a game and couldn’t build their own stadiums without the people’s help, he’d puke."
Can we, little men and women, still win? Will we take back our own governmental reins and save ourselves and the world we are so recklessly destroying in the name of, "Big Business?" I think so, if we just take a giant step away from our own tiny comfort zone and make our collective voices heard and scream..."Take that, Big Oil!"
May 16, 2013
This darkly satirical comedy, depicting a failed schoolmaster’s attempt to take on the American political system evokes memories of Our Man in Havana. Mr Attwood has the true comedian’s lightness of touch, and there is hardly a dull moment in it. Particularly fine were the descriptions of Our Hero’s experiences as a schoolmaster. The action moves well throughout the book, and although I found the ending a little abrupt, on reflection I don’t know that the more conventional, drawn-out epilogue chapter would have added anything worthwhile to it.
Comic fiction lives or dies by its characters, and this is a particular strength in Spill. Even minor characters are lovingly drawn; no cardboard cutouts here, they are all real and alive. A traditional third person narrative is used, with subtle shifts to its tone depending on the point of view. I have always felt that it is in his use of narrative that a writer shows his true quality, and Mr Attwood passes this acid test with flying colours.
There were a very few proofreading errors, but by and large the book’s presentation is excellent, providing a good, clean read.
All in all, the book is a joy to read, and will particularly appeal to anyone who has worked in the education system, or in politics.
Comic fiction lives or dies by its characters, and this is a particular strength in Spill. Even minor characters are lovingly drawn; no cardboard cutouts here, they are all real and alive. A traditional third person narrative is used, with subtle shifts to its tone depending on the point of view. I have always felt that it is in his use of narrative that a writer shows his true quality, and Mr Attwood passes this acid test with flying colours.
There were a very few proofreading errors, but by and large the book’s presentation is excellent, providing a good, clean read.
All in all, the book is a joy to read, and will particularly appeal to anyone who has worked in the education system, or in politics.
December 10, 2014
Spill by Randy Attwood is a political comedy. It is far different than his other books I’ve read. I was expecting something different not to say Spill isn’t an enjoyable read because it was. In this novel Fred comes up with a brilliant idea and gets Zoe the bartender/ single mother involved. They both run for the same political office in efforts of making money. Zoe’s son ends up designing a skateboarding game in which players work on destroying big oil.
The plot in this hilarious novel was like a tiny snowball that grew as it rolled downhill climaxing with a huge mess when the snow ball impacted against the side of a mountain blasting snow everywhere. It reminded me of the movie Fargo as most characters bungled their way through leaving a trail of laughs in their wake.
Through description, dialogue, and private thought he captured the essence of his characters and brought them to life as if I was watching them on the big screen. They stumbled through each page. A few got lucky. A few did not. The young man seemed to be the most intelligent of the bunch and used his wits and business skills to design a lasting memento.
Spill is an entertaining read. Expect giggles and laughter as you read.
The plot in this hilarious novel was like a tiny snowball that grew as it rolled downhill climaxing with a huge mess when the snow ball impacted against the side of a mountain blasting snow everywhere. It reminded me of the movie Fargo as most characters bungled their way through leaving a trail of laughs in their wake.
Through description, dialogue, and private thought he captured the essence of his characters and brought them to life as if I was watching them on the big screen. They stumbled through each page. A few got lucky. A few did not. The young man seemed to be the most intelligent of the bunch and used his wits and business skills to design a lasting memento.
Spill is an entertaining read. Expect giggles and laughter as you read.
January 19, 2015
Fred Underwood asked Zoe Quinn to be his accomplice and run against him for the 27th seat in the state’s House of Representatives. Therefore, the entanglements that surge around Fred and Zoe's political adventure unravel the ugly truth of several characters while they try to be politically correct, with cleverness and humor.
Fred Underwood with all his misfortunes and flaws is the catalyst of such an entertaining tale, showing the imperfections of this society in its entire splendor.
ARC provided through NetGalley.
Fred Underwood with all his misfortunes and flaws is the catalyst of such an entertaining tale, showing the imperfections of this society in its entire splendor.
ARC provided through NetGalley.
December 21, 2014
My, what is this? A genuinely fun book? Are these still being made? It isn't perfect. The last chapter or so feels like the beginning of a new book, but I snickered repeatedly at his Christopher Buckley sort of humor.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews