The Pinball Theory of Apocalypse

by Jonathan Selwood

For years, painter Isabel Raven has made an almost-living forging Impressionist masterpieces to decorate the McMansions of the not-quite-Sotheby's-auction rich. But when she serendipitously hits on an idea that turns her into the "It Girl" of the L.A. art scene, her career takes off just as the rest of her life heads south. Her personal-chef boyfriend is having a wild sexual dalliance with the teenage self-styled "Latina Britney Spears." If Isabel refuses to participate in an excruciatingly humiliating ad campaign, her sociopathic art dealer is threatening to "gut her like an emu." And her reclusive physicist father has conclusively proven that the end of the world is just around the corner. Now, with the Apocalypse looming—and with only a disaffected Dutch-Eskimo billionaire philanthropist and his dissolute thirteen-year-old adopted daughter to guide her—there's barely enough time remaining for Isabel to reexamine her fragile delusional existence . . . and the delusional reality of her schizophrenic native city.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Novels, Humor

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mr. Rendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title had me thinking this book would be in the vein of Haruki Murakami because everyone who is into Haruki Murakami knows pinball machines are now forever connected to his literature (if curious, read the rat books). With that being said, this book did not disappoint. I must proclaim the following though, this book will only appeal to those that appreciate great, crappy literature. What I mean is this, I could both place this book among literary great, but also those backpack copies I keep everywhere for when I want a quick read.

The main character is vulgar. If I'm being honest, all the characters in this thing are vulgar, but that's the appeal. If you live in Los Angeles, the setting too will feel familiar. The novel goes just a few centimeters short of caricature, but with a purpose. Through the main character's art the novel explores what it really means to sell out and why being fake in LA might be a form of copying mechanism.

Overall, this book is a fun quick read that leaves the reader feeling as if they just consumed something truly insightful, which really is the point of "Literary Fiction."

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was tons of fun! A hellish, nightmare setting full of outlandish people doing the craziest things! The main character Isabel is the most normal person in the book, and she spends the entire book convinced something is wrong with her. I'd love to read more about Isabel, see if she builds a relationship with Alex and if her art career continues to grow.

[Christina M Rau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, a novel that finds the humor in the world coming to an end. Jonathan Selwood’s The Pinball Theory of Apocalypse (Harper Perennial, $13.95) tells the story of a twenty-something artist, her boyfriend chef and the sixteen-year-old Latina pop star with questionable talent he leaves her for, her ill-tempered agent, her hippie mom and physicist dad, her lecherous-like super, and tar, lots of tar and animal bones, bubbling up into the landscape during a series of huge earthquake aftershocks. Selwood crams all this unbelievable mischief into a quick read that makes it all come to life as if it could actually happen. Since the setting is Los Angeles, it probably can. Complete with pop-culture references from Lindsay Lohan to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, this sarcastic novel is refreshing and fun. Also, at the end, a whole post-section is dedicated to a quasi-real interview with the author and a list of things to discuss with a book club such as Did anyone actually read this book? Hil. Air. Eee. Us.

[Eli]

This book felt like a feverish attempt to make a statement that “sticks it” to LA culture. Which, I get why someone would want to do that. The ugly side to LA culture is frustrating. I live here. I see the ugly side. But, this book ended up feeling like a string of unrelated events centered around an apathetic character who had no direction or motivation. It read like the author was really into their own voice and wants to be edgy. It was boring despite having an interesting title. I really had to push myself to finish this one. It might be for other people, though! I didn’t like it. In fact, I liked it so little I did some research on the author to see what he’s up to. The only info I found on him felt outdated which implies he hasn’t done much since this book. I hope he’s out there writing and getting better at his craft. I’d really like him to make a comeback after this book.

[sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut novel from an LA native who managed to escape, it uncovers the superficial exterior of LA to reveal its even more superficial gooey center, managing to find some depth in all the shallowness. It's absurd in the same way as the show "Entourage" in that, if you've spent much time in LA, you know it's not absurd at all. I set up a reading for him at Black Oak Books and he was very, very funny.

[http://www.jonathanselwood.com]

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. Fun, witty, just believable enough to be hilariously awesome. The main character, Isabel, paints copies of art masterpieces with the people replaced by famous Hollywood stars. The story follows a few days in her life after an earthquake in Los Angeles. From her agent to her building manager, the characters are all crazy, but Isabel thinks she's the one that's losing her mind. The dialogue is snappy, and the plot entertaining.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I really did like this for what it was. It's a clever book that you grab when you want a quick easy read. It's a funny and dark page turner that made me laugh out loud a couple times. It won't be nearly as funny in a year but if you have a long plane ride in the near future pick this up.

[Turi Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up in a bookstore in McMinnville, OR because I was running out of reading material, and I was in kind of a "wacky fiction" mood after that last book. And it was - wacky, fun, and a pretty quick little read. It's the story of a southern California artist who is struggling with selling out within the crazy culture down there. Kind of unpolished, but fun.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book in which the main character seems to be the location, not the people who inhabit it. In this case, it's L.A. The book was well-written, amusing and quick. But it reminded me of a far better "L.A. story", AM Homes This Book Will Save Your Life.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book in which the main character seems to be the location, not the people who inhabit it. In this case, it's L.A. The book was well-written, amusing and quick. But it reminded me of a far better "L.A. story", AM Homes This Book Will Save Your Life.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason I enjoy books about 20 something angst. The Pinball Theory of Apocalypse, despite having a female protagonist, really hit home. It was damn funny, entertaining and matter of fact at the same time. This was one of the best books I have read all year.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an amazing read, but certainly fun and interesting as a quick summer book. It's a little bit overzealous, but entertaining and has some real gems sprinkled throughout. A very satisfying ending, and surprisingly, the characters really grow on you.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like Cosmopolis, without the character development.

[Teree · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost interest and stopped reading it after about 90 pages. Sorry!

[Ellenjsmellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy story, quick read.

[Celeste · Rating 1 out of 5]

This would make a good in-flight read. Especially if you're flying to LA. Otherwise, skip it.

[Gigaber · Rating 3 out of 5]

sensory overload, yet fast and readable

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sexy, arty, fun read. It reminded me a little bit of Delacorta.

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great airport read. Like a peanut butter cup, there's at most one or two bites here, but genuinely satisfying...unless you don't like peanut butter cups, in which case I have to ask 'Why?'

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

mediocre. The back cover review makes it seem like it would more outlandish than it actually was

[Ruthie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I reread this. Or why it was still on my bookcase. Oh well, at least it was short?

[Soham Chakraborty · Rating 4 out of 5]

TBD

[Jorie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, but this just wasn't for me. The overall concept was good I think, but the sense of humor was lost on me for sure.

[Pan Ellington · Rating 4 out of 5]

So very Los Angeles and true to the city. Made me miss it.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So ridiculous and hilarious. A great short read - perfect for a long flight.

[Greg Olear · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Crying of Lot 49" meets "Et Tu, Babe," but funnier.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious and dark. I couldn't put it down and wanted to read it again after I finished it.