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Avoiding Mortimer
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Mortimer has tried his whole life long to avoid everything. He's estranged from his undead family, stuck in a shitty job, and his only friends are ants. Mortimer decides to avoid the rest of living. But it turns out there is much more to avoid after suicide-Eternity in a body-making factory, a soul-hungry ant blob, God and his minions, the Afterlife, and even what lies beyond it. Aided by a sentient pile of dreadlocks, his acquired skills, and dumb luck, Mortimer attempts to avoid everything-and does a miserable job of it. A bizarro adventure story about life, the afterlife, the after-afterlife, and avoiding it all-especially the parts like working as an aglet-biter, or drinking shots of Holy Fuck.
Mortimer has tried his whole life long to avoid everything. He's estranged from his undead family, stuck in a shitty job, and his only friends are ants. Mortimer decides to avoid the rest of living. But it turns out there is much more to avoid after suicide-Eternity in a body-making factory, a soul-hungry ant blob, God and his minions, the Afterlife, and even what lies beyond it. Aided by a sentient pile of dreadlocks, his acquired skills, and dumb luck, Mortimer attempts to avoid everything-and does a miserable job of it. A bizarro adventure story about life, the afterlife, the after-afterlife, and avoiding it all-especially the parts like working as an aglet-biter, or drinking shots of Holy Fuck.
90 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2012
1 person is currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
J.W. Wargo
1 book3 followersJ.W. Wargo started writing in 1991 at age six to amuse himself. Numerous short and silly stories followed.
He began taking his writing more seriously in 2005. He moved to Portland, Oregon and honed his craft with screenplays, short fiction, and poetry.
In 2008, he discovered Bizarro Fiction and a home for his unique style of literature.
From 2009-2014, he was an International Traveling Street Performer, hitchhiking across twenty countries and storytelling on the street corners of hundreds of cities from Honolulu, Hawaii to Budapest, Hungary.
He also composes music, plays bass/guitar/drum/keyboard, draws MS Paint doodles, writes personal essays about his travels, and produced a series of short films featuring his street performance character Cat-Man Lawyer.
He currently lives in Hawaii.
He began taking his writing more seriously in 2005. He moved to Portland, Oregon and honed his craft with screenplays, short fiction, and poetry.
In 2008, he discovered Bizarro Fiction and a home for his unique style of literature.
From 2009-2014, he was an International Traveling Street Performer, hitchhiking across twenty countries and storytelling on the street corners of hundreds of cities from Honolulu, Hawaii to Budapest, Hungary.
He also composes music, plays bass/guitar/drum/keyboard, draws MS Paint doodles, writes personal essays about his travels, and produced a series of short films featuring his street performance character Cat-Man Lawyer.
He currently lives in Hawaii.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 24, 2013
Mortimer, a man who's been avoiding life his entire... life, rejects undeath and runs away from home. When his life consisting of working at the aglet factory and playing with his ant farm proves to be too much, he kills himself, only to find the afterlife isn't all it has been cracked up to be. Can he avoid an eternity of servitude as he avoided everything else in his life?
First off, it's Mortimer that's doing the Avoiding. We are not meant to Avoid him.
In this entry in the New Bizarro Author series, J.W. Wargo tackles a familiar subject, the afterlife, and turns it on its ear in a way I've pondered more than once. Considering the afterlife is going to be populated by the same jackholes we deal with every day, why would it in any way resemble paradise?
Mortimer is an Arthur Dent-style protagonist, taken to the nth degree. His life consists of avoiding pretty much everything. He goes to work, comes home, and goes to bed. He has seven identical suits and does everything he can to avoid being noticed. Death almost seems like a mercy at first.
Wargo's afterlife is one of servitude if your life's worth is low or lounging if one's life worth is high. Mortimer soon rejects his new job at the earlobe factory and meets other avoiders, these intent on avoiding participating in the afterlife. Mortimer proves himself to be the avoidingest avoider that ever avoided and saves the day. Oh, and god is a hobo. And there's a character called Ant Blob. And some sentient dreadlocks. All of that is true but it's a Bizarro book so I can pretty much say anything and you'd believe it.
Any complaints? Not a one. This is my favorite book in the 2012-2013 New Bizarro Author series so far.
Read my interview with J.W. Wargo!
First off, it's Mortimer that's doing the Avoiding. We are not meant to Avoid him.
In this entry in the New Bizarro Author series, J.W. Wargo tackles a familiar subject, the afterlife, and turns it on its ear in a way I've pondered more than once. Considering the afterlife is going to be populated by the same jackholes we deal with every day, why would it in any way resemble paradise?
Mortimer is an Arthur Dent-style protagonist, taken to the nth degree. His life consists of avoiding pretty much everything. He goes to work, comes home, and goes to bed. He has seven identical suits and does everything he can to avoid being noticed. Death almost seems like a mercy at first.
Wargo's afterlife is one of servitude if your life's worth is low or lounging if one's life worth is high. Mortimer soon rejects his new job at the earlobe factory and meets other avoiders, these intent on avoiding participating in the afterlife. Mortimer proves himself to be the avoidingest avoider that ever avoided and saves the day. Oh, and god is a hobo. And there's a character called Ant Blob. And some sentient dreadlocks. All of that is true but it's a Bizarro book so I can pretty much say anything and you'd believe it.
Any complaints? Not a one. This is my favorite book in the 2012-2013 New Bizarro Author series so far.
Read my interview with J.W. Wargo!
May 9, 2013
This is a 4.5 review.
Review snippet: This subtly weird little book is perhaps my emotional favorite of the bizarros I’ve read for this themed-week. It’s got its gross moments – vomit, biting into insects and earlobes – but even the grossness was sweetly restrained given what I have come to expect from the Bizarros. But it must be said that sweetly restrained bizarro is not going to be awesome in and of itself. No, I’m far too sophisticated to be taken in by sweetness. But I do have to say that it is nice to be able to read a bizarro book that I can describe to my mother without making her cry. (And Mama Oddbooks is no lightweight. She was the chief text editor for Deutschland Erwacht when it was published in the USA in the 70s. She knows some stuff. She’s seen some shit. And I still hesitate to share most bizarro plots with her. In short, most of you are monsters.)
The main reason I like this book so much is because I get Mortimer. I’m an Avoider, though I don’t experience anything close to Mortimer’s level of neurotic and thanatotic depression. I love avoiding people. Not because I’m mean or cruel but because I am introverted on a genetic level. It’s actually considered a psychological disorder on my part but I sort of don’t care, even though I enter therapy for it every few years. I prefer not to leave my house and, interestingly, “I prefer not to” is a perfect way to sort of ground yourself when reading this book. There is something very Bartleby about this novella. Though Mortimer ultimately finds a way to stop preferring not to, at least when it matters, folk who just feel tired and itchy around other folk have a hero in Mortimer, whose essential nature is eventually how he manages to become a hero.
You can read my entire discussion here.
Review snippet: This subtly weird little book is perhaps my emotional favorite of the bizarros I’ve read for this themed-week. It’s got its gross moments – vomit, biting into insects and earlobes – but even the grossness was sweetly restrained given what I have come to expect from the Bizarros. But it must be said that sweetly restrained bizarro is not going to be awesome in and of itself. No, I’m far too sophisticated to be taken in by sweetness. But I do have to say that it is nice to be able to read a bizarro book that I can describe to my mother without making her cry. (And Mama Oddbooks is no lightweight. She was the chief text editor for Deutschland Erwacht when it was published in the USA in the 70s. She knows some stuff. She’s seen some shit. And I still hesitate to share most bizarro plots with her. In short, most of you are monsters.)
The main reason I like this book so much is because I get Mortimer. I’m an Avoider, though I don’t experience anything close to Mortimer’s level of neurotic and thanatotic depression. I love avoiding people. Not because I’m mean or cruel but because I am introverted on a genetic level. It’s actually considered a psychological disorder on my part but I sort of don’t care, even though I enter therapy for it every few years. I prefer not to leave my house and, interestingly, “I prefer not to” is a perfect way to sort of ground yourself when reading this book. There is something very Bartleby about this novella. Though Mortimer ultimately finds a way to stop preferring not to, at least when it matters, folk who just feel tired and itchy around other folk have a hero in Mortimer, whose essential nature is eventually how he manages to become a hero.
You can read my entire discussion here.
November 22, 2012
If you like some social anxiety mixed in with your bizarro, this is the book for you.
Mortimer avoids everything. He avoids life. He avoids relationship. He avoids his family. Mortimer simply exists but does nothing with it. When he lets his guard down once and does something other than avoiding things, it ends in disaster and...well, so does Mortimer. But that's not the end of the story in Avoiding Mortimer by J.W. Wargo.
Actually, it's a very touching story. Mortimer is in a constant battle with the world, but in reality is in a constant battle with himself. Mortimer is a walking, talking anxiety disorder, and he has to overcome his reason for being (or not being as it were) to save himself, his friends, and the all of life, not mention the afterlife. There's more to that, but it would give too much away.
A common complaint that I have with bizarro books and independent writers is that the editing can leave a little to be desired. That is not the case with this book. The editing is sublime and clean, making it easy to read. I wish more independent writers and publishers would take a little more time to clean things up a bit, because it makes a huge difference. Kudos to the author and editor for this.
If I have a complaint about this book, it's that it beats you over the head with the theme a little bit. Yes, Mortimer has a generalized and social anxiety disorder (although come to think of it, that's never explicitly said in the book). And yes, I know it's the theme of the book, but sometimes I felt like I just wanted to move on to the next subject. Move the story forward. Keep the character development going. I'll point out that there is indeed character development and growth, and it feels kind of deep for a bizarro book. It's almost comes off like a modern bizarro fable.
Something to note about this book is that, for a bizarro book, it's actually relatively tame. While most bizarro books include lots of sex and violence, and while there is some in this book, it's very lightly done, and Wargo takes a much gentler hand with the reader, focusing more on great plot and character development over shock value. It's kind of refreshing.
Avoiding Mortimer is part of the 2012-2013 class of the New Bizarro Authors Series, which means that this is Wargo's first published novel. And it's an excellent start. I'll be looking forward to Wargo's future work.
Avoiding Mortimer by J.W. Wargo earns 4.5 shots of love out of 5. Since half star reviews aren't allowed, it gets the benefit of the doubt and is awarded a full 5.
Mortimer avoids everything. He avoids life. He avoids relationship. He avoids his family. Mortimer simply exists but does nothing with it. When he lets his guard down once and does something other than avoiding things, it ends in disaster and...well, so does Mortimer. But that's not the end of the story in Avoiding Mortimer by J.W. Wargo.
Actually, it's a very touching story. Mortimer is in a constant battle with the world, but in reality is in a constant battle with himself. Mortimer is a walking, talking anxiety disorder, and he has to overcome his reason for being (or not being as it were) to save himself, his friends, and the all of life, not mention the afterlife. There's more to that, but it would give too much away.
A common complaint that I have with bizarro books and independent writers is that the editing can leave a little to be desired. That is not the case with this book. The editing is sublime and clean, making it easy to read. I wish more independent writers and publishers would take a little more time to clean things up a bit, because it makes a huge difference. Kudos to the author and editor for this.
If I have a complaint about this book, it's that it beats you over the head with the theme a little bit. Yes, Mortimer has a generalized and social anxiety disorder (although come to think of it, that's never explicitly said in the book). And yes, I know it's the theme of the book, but sometimes I felt like I just wanted to move on to the next subject. Move the story forward. Keep the character development going. I'll point out that there is indeed character development and growth, and it feels kind of deep for a bizarro book. It's almost comes off like a modern bizarro fable.
Something to note about this book is that, for a bizarro book, it's actually relatively tame. While most bizarro books include lots of sex and violence, and while there is some in this book, it's very lightly done, and Wargo takes a much gentler hand with the reader, focusing more on great plot and character development over shock value. It's kind of refreshing.
Avoiding Mortimer is part of the 2012-2013 class of the New Bizarro Authors Series, which means that this is Wargo's first published novel. And it's an excellent start. I'll be looking forward to Wargo's future work.
Avoiding Mortimer by J.W. Wargo earns 4.5 shots of love out of 5. Since half star reviews aren't allowed, it gets the benefit of the doubt and is awarded a full 5.
June 2, 2013
The author and I occasionally interact on various social websites. He is a rather amazing and happy person. He has this enviable life traveling around the country, doing what he wants, and pretty much answering to no one. I am the opposite of him, and closer to being a Mortimer type person. I hide out in my room, afraid of everything and avoiding life.
So, I am simply flabbergasted at how accurate J.W. Wargo was in describing the avoidant personality.
Poor Mortimer and his family do almost everything to avoid chances, the unknown, living, and hell, dying. His family end up choosing various forms of un-death. Mortimer goes out into the city and has a different, avoidant type of not-quite-living. He works in a factory, eats dry foods, and has an ant farm.
Mortimer ends up dying ahead of schedule-it involves an ant smoothie and a electrical cord. He is then subjected to an afterlife that is kind of BEETLEJUICIAN and DEFENDING YOUR LIFE-ESQ, except not nearly as pleasant. He ends up creating an a new form of sentience, taking shots of emotions, meeting other Avoidants, and uhh the Administrator, finding what the Void is really like and making several major changes. He turns out to be a bit-sorry to sound so sappy and trite-inspirational in way.
I should take after Mortimer and maybe have a shot of LIFE or COURAGE.
So, I am simply flabbergasted at how accurate J.W. Wargo was in describing the avoidant personality.
Poor Mortimer and his family do almost everything to avoid chances, the unknown, living, and hell, dying. His family end up choosing various forms of un-death. Mortimer goes out into the city and has a different, avoidant type of not-quite-living. He works in a factory, eats dry foods, and has an ant farm.
Mortimer ends up dying ahead of schedule-it involves an ant smoothie and a electrical cord. He is then subjected to an afterlife that is kind of BEETLEJUICIAN and DEFENDING YOUR LIFE-ESQ, except not nearly as pleasant. He ends up creating an a new form of sentience, taking shots of emotions, meeting other Avoidants, and uhh the Administrator, finding what the Void is really like and making several major changes. He turns out to be a bit-sorry to sound so sappy and trite-inspirational in way.
I should take after Mortimer and maybe have a shot of LIFE or COURAGE.
November 26, 2012
As a matter of course, most people avoid conflict, sticking to the safest pathways through life, avoiding difficult choices. Mortimer is no different. He avoids his family. (Can you blame him? They're a bunch of mindless zombies.) He avoids conflict at work. His only friends are the ants living--and working--in his elaborate ant farms. But after a social outing and suicide attempt go horribly awry, Mortimer discovers that there's plenty worth avoiding in the afterlife as well.
Perhaps the most openly philosophical of this year's New Bizarro Author Series offerings, Avoiding Mortimer dares to ask difficult questions while never losing sight of the absurdity of the answers. This novel is social anxiety disorder done Bizarro style, and is a hilarious romp through life... and afterlife! Recommended.
Perhaps the most openly philosophical of this year's New Bizarro Author Series offerings, Avoiding Mortimer dares to ask difficult questions while never losing sight of the absurdity of the answers. This novel is social anxiety disorder done Bizarro style, and is a hilarious romp through life... and afterlife! Recommended.
Read
September 11, 2018I picked this up when it first came out and put it on my shelf at work. I just found it while cleaning the other day.
I could talk about minor problems the book suffered from here, but it suffers from almost the same exact problems my NBAS book.
It shines in many ways. I like the concept. It reminded me of Beetlejuice a bit in all the good ways.
Some fun social critique in here as well.
I wish Wargo would publish more.
I could talk about minor problems the book suffered from here, but it suffers from almost the same exact problems my NBAS book.
It shines in many ways. I like the concept. It reminded me of Beetlejuice a bit in all the good ways.
Some fun social critique in here as well.
I wish Wargo would publish more.
June 25, 2013
I finished J. W. Wargo’s delightful debut Avoiding Mortimer a few days ago, but I’ve been avoiding writing this review. I could have sat down immediately after finishing it, in one sitting, but I wasn’t sure I’d be impartial, having just traversed Wargo’s world, and maybe I’d be projecting. The next day, I almost wrote it, but then I worried that maybe I wouldn’t be able to find the words, and then I’d get mad at myself, and maybe even become suicidal or something, because I’d feel like a failure as a reviewer. So I decided to continue avoiding the task before me, and yet, Avoiding Mortimer stayed bouncing around in my brain. Relentlessly. I realized: I was doing the same thing Mortimer tried to do. I was avoiding life. So I sat down and let my experience pour out here on the page, and do I feel better? You bet. You will too when you crack the spine and dive into the pages of Avoiding Mortimer.
Poor Mortimer. Growing up in a household where his entire family was terrified of everything (until they decide to go undead to try to avoid death, at least) obviously had quite an impact on him. As an “adult,” he tries his best to avoid everything: doing things, feeling things, talking to people, being outside, living, dying. What’s that? You can’t avoid dying? Mortimer does. Sort of. And this kind of avoidance of everything not only provides wonderful comical and philosophical fodder for Wargo to explore, but also makes for a perfect bizarro premise due to its impossibility. How can one avoid everything when everything is something, even nothing?
I admit, I have a certain fondness for afterlife comedy, especially when its weird. Avoiding Mortimer joins such stories as Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens and Gina Ranalli’s Suicide Girls in the Afterlife on the list of unique and fascinating treatments of what happens to us after we die. Being a bizarro book, of course there are strange flourishes here and there. Supporting characters such as a sentient wig made of dreadlocks and a soul-sucking blob of half-digested ants add to the chaos while giving Mortimer other beings to interact with – despite his avoidance issues. Even God makes an appearance, although he’s certainly not what you might expect. Or maybe he is, if like myself, you’re a fan of existentialist and absurdist lit. The combination of these elements is where Avoiding Mortimer truly thrives. Wargo has a talent for layering strange, wild and funny storytelling over top of a psychologically exploratory and philosophically deep treatise on how he sees the universe. Those readers who follow his blogs and online writing will be familiar with Wargo’s fascination with the id, the ego and the super-ego, all of which are utilized to their utmost both as concepts and as quasi-characters. All of these elements together are entertaining and incredibly explosive. Don’t avoid picking this one up, as its a rare combination of thoughtful and silly that will appeal to any and all fans of weird fiction.
Poor Mortimer. Growing up in a household where his entire family was terrified of everything (until they decide to go undead to try to avoid death, at least) obviously had quite an impact on him. As an “adult,” he tries his best to avoid everything: doing things, feeling things, talking to people, being outside, living, dying. What’s that? You can’t avoid dying? Mortimer does. Sort of. And this kind of avoidance of everything not only provides wonderful comical and philosophical fodder for Wargo to explore, but also makes for a perfect bizarro premise due to its impossibility. How can one avoid everything when everything is something, even nothing?
I admit, I have a certain fondness for afterlife comedy, especially when its weird. Avoiding Mortimer joins such stories as Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens and Gina Ranalli’s Suicide Girls in the Afterlife on the list of unique and fascinating treatments of what happens to us after we die. Being a bizarro book, of course there are strange flourishes here and there. Supporting characters such as a sentient wig made of dreadlocks and a soul-sucking blob of half-digested ants add to the chaos while giving Mortimer other beings to interact with – despite his avoidance issues. Even God makes an appearance, although he’s certainly not what you might expect. Or maybe he is, if like myself, you’re a fan of existentialist and absurdist lit. The combination of these elements is where Avoiding Mortimer truly thrives. Wargo has a talent for layering strange, wild and funny storytelling over top of a psychologically exploratory and philosophically deep treatise on how he sees the universe. Those readers who follow his blogs and online writing will be familiar with Wargo’s fascination with the id, the ego and the super-ego, all of which are utilized to their utmost both as concepts and as quasi-characters. All of these elements together are entertaining and incredibly explosive. Don’t avoid picking this one up, as its a rare combination of thoughtful and silly that will appeal to any and all fans of weird fiction.
May 14, 2013
Words alone are not enough to convey what I just read. Wow, WOW. Franz Kafka's The Trial meets Beetlejuice. In a scene near the beginning of the book, Wargo illustrates the absurdity of factory work by making it just a step more absurd, and makes us realize that's actually how they act, like they're either scalding a disobedient dog or rewarding it with a dog biscuit.
Read as Mortimer returns from the void as his Id and Ego compete for dominance.
His ant farm becomes a sort of guardian in the afterlife, which he affectionately refers to as 'Ant Blob'.
...
And to think, this all arose from a clerical error in which the Social Security Administration listed Joseph Wargo as 'deceased'. This is the goods. I'm serious, folks.
Read as Mortimer returns from the void as his Id and Ego compete for dominance.
His ant farm becomes a sort of guardian in the afterlife, which he affectionately refers to as 'Ant Blob'.
...
And to think, this all arose from a clerical error in which the Social Security Administration listed Joseph Wargo as 'deceased'. This is the goods. I'm serious, folks.
July 31, 2013
J. W. Wargo's Avoiding Mortimer was like a darkside Phantom Toolbooth meets Albert Camus The Stranger. Lushness and emotional depth in minimalism always impress me, because it usually hits me like a salt shower does a snail, and I recoil from the verba burn. The wry humor is delightful and the existential journey of this character is throught provoking and stimulating. Reading this book is like takin a shot of pure angst spiked with everything you want to avoid, with a wonderfully surprising aftertaste of holy shit! I feel like I just got dunked in icy afterlife waters. If this book doesen't make you wanna live like every moment is your last, you are probably a corpse. Delightful. Elegant. Inspired!
June 4, 2013
Mortimer has avoiding everything in life; Family, work, people and death. But when death comes early he finds himself on an adventure of social anxiety in the depths of Hell, the purgatory and Limbo. Wargo's characters are very likable and Avoiding Mortimer is one of the best in the NBAS series to date.
If you like movie "Beetlejuice" then you will love this book. From a boring life, to a vomited pile of ants; looking for a soul, boding making factories and a strange Bizzaro after-life this is one hell of a read.
J.W. Wargo is an author to watch for I am sure he has some more stuff up his sleeve, and may be in your town, he is a hitchhiker wandering person.
If you like movie "Beetlejuice" then you will love this book. From a boring life, to a vomited pile of ants; looking for a soul, boding making factories and a strange Bizzaro after-life this is one hell of a read.
J.W. Wargo is an author to watch for I am sure he has some more stuff up his sleeve, and may be in your town, he is a hitchhiker wandering person.
July 29, 2019
That bizarro is weirdness for the sake of weirdness is a common misconception. In fact, some of the most cerebral fiction is coming from this genre. Authors like D. Harlan Wilson, Jeremy Robert Johnson, Cody Goodfellow, and Andersen Prunty, to name a few, work in bizarro and produce some of the most unique and intelligent writing out there. Now the genre welcomes a new author to the list of weird, smart voices: Andersen Prunty.
Wargo's first novel, Avoiding Mortimer, was published late last year as part of the 2012 New Bizarro Author Series. The story follows Mortimer, a man whose sole purpose in life is avoiding. He avoids work, thoughts, and interaction. His entire family is full of avoiders, but after his dad insists on un-death as a way to avoid death, Mortimer starts avoiding them. Lonely, tired, and stuck in an awful job biting worm feces all day long in shoelace factory, Mortimer decides to kill himself. Unfortunately, the afterlife is not what he thought it'd be. Facing an eternity working on a body-making factory, Mortimer starts to think instead of avoiding. What follows is a wild ride through the bureaucracy of the afterlife in which a soul-hungry ant blob, a sentient pile of dreadlocks, nothingness, and God will all play major roles in what becomes of Mortimer.
You can read Gabino's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
Wargo's first novel, Avoiding Mortimer, was published late last year as part of the 2012 New Bizarro Author Series. The story follows Mortimer, a man whose sole purpose in life is avoiding. He avoids work, thoughts, and interaction. His entire family is full of avoiders, but after his dad insists on un-death as a way to avoid death, Mortimer starts avoiding them. Lonely, tired, and stuck in an awful job biting worm feces all day long in shoelace factory, Mortimer decides to kill himself. Unfortunately, the afterlife is not what he thought it'd be. Facing an eternity working on a body-making factory, Mortimer starts to think instead of avoiding. What follows is a wild ride through the bureaucracy of the afterlife in which a soul-hungry ant blob, a sentient pile of dreadlocks, nothingness, and God will all play major roles in what becomes of Mortimer.
You can read Gabino's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
April 15, 2013
Mortimer tries to avoid life by killing himself, but it turns out that there is even more to avoid in the Afterlife, which is much like the life he'd just left. This is an enjoyable novella about a man who had to die in order to find himself. A promising debut by author JW Wargo and I recommend it.
October 7, 2014
"God is too drunk to fuck and you are his hangover".
This sentence seems to be coined specifically for Mortimer, an "avoider". He avoids work, family, people, fun, and in the end, he avoids life and afterlife. Running away from his home after his family decides to become undead to avoid death, Mortimer sees himself trapped in a tedious, routine job, which puts him in a monotonous cycle during the day, keeping any meaningful thought far away from his mind. In short, the perfect job for Mortimer. This changes when, after an outburst caused by a series of unfortunate events, Mortimer decides to take his own life. And he discovers that the afterlife is not a fun place to be. It's full of bureaucracy, hard work and the constant fear of being nullified, wiped out from existence. Mortimer decides to rebel against this system, finally avoiding avoidance.
The book is sensational, the metaphysical and philosophical questions are developed in a really elegant, smart way. The worlds created by Wargo are interesting, specially his afterlife. But his world of the living has the right amount of Bizarro to make us go "What?", slowly after reading his descriptions and concepts. Five stars, for sure. And pay attention to J.W. Wargo, his voice in the Bizarro world is far too strong and will echo for a long time.
This sentence seems to be coined specifically for Mortimer, an "avoider". He avoids work, family, people, fun, and in the end, he avoids life and afterlife. Running away from his home after his family decides to become undead to avoid death, Mortimer sees himself trapped in a tedious, routine job, which puts him in a monotonous cycle during the day, keeping any meaningful thought far away from his mind. In short, the perfect job for Mortimer. This changes when, after an outburst caused by a series of unfortunate events, Mortimer decides to take his own life. And he discovers that the afterlife is not a fun place to be. It's full of bureaucracy, hard work and the constant fear of being nullified, wiped out from existence. Mortimer decides to rebel against this system, finally avoiding avoidance.
The book is sensational, the metaphysical and philosophical questions are developed in a really elegant, smart way. The worlds created by Wargo are interesting, specially his afterlife. But his world of the living has the right amount of Bizarro to make us go "What?", slowly after reading his descriptions and concepts. Five stars, for sure. And pay attention to J.W. Wargo, his voice in the Bizarro world is far too strong and will echo for a long time.
August 20, 2024
First off, I love this book. The idea was brilliant and the writing was engaging from the first sentence. For the majority of this book, it was one of my favorite NBAS books. In fact, I've given other NBAS books 5 stars that I did not enjoy as much as most of Avoiding Mortimer (does that make sense? I'm tired as shit, sorry). The thing that bothered me with this one was its ending. I don't want to get into details because I don't want to give anything away. But essentially, it felt forced. There was great build up to a big ending and then the book just ended. I wanted more. Maybe the problem was that the ending happened too quickly, and I just needed more explanation for it to be more believable. I don't entirely know to be honest.
Overall, I guess my problem was I wanted to read more of Wargo's words. This is a great book and I recommend it to anyone, especially if you dig bizarro. Buy this book. J.W. Wargo's debut will make you happy. And maybe, you will learn to stop avoiding life, too.
Overall, I guess my problem was I wanted to read more of Wargo's words. This is a great book and I recommend it to anyone, especially if you dig bizarro. Buy this book. J.W. Wargo's debut will make you happy. And maybe, you will learn to stop avoiding life, too.
October 10, 2013
Better Than A Bowl Of Instant Brains
This book follows Mortimer as he transforms from the sort of guy who avoids everything, to the sort of guy who takes things head on. But wait, the story isn't quite that simple. Mortimer has to die and confront an onion-belching bum (err... God) in order to reach his epiphany. Oh, and there's ant blobs and walking, talking dreadlocks. It's all in fast-paced, action-packed, page-turning format right here.
This book follows Mortimer as he transforms from the sort of guy who avoids everything, to the sort of guy who takes things head on. But wait, the story isn't quite that simple. Mortimer has to die and confront an onion-belching bum (err... God) in order to reach his epiphany. Oh, and there's ant blobs and walking, talking dreadlocks. It's all in fast-paced, action-packed, page-turning format right here.
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