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Hyperbole
The most violent comedy since The Bible.
DC gets destroyed.
Harland gets wasted.
America gets the leader it deserves.
This pitch-black satire follows a disillusioned pothead and his friends navigating an American minefield of domestic terrorists, power-grabbing opportunists, and meaningless dead-end jobs. Philosophical, irreverent, and sometimes oddly hopeful, Hyperbole explores what might become of the laymen when America's head gets chopped off.
Fans of transgressive fiction and dark humor should grab this book with both hands and not eat or sleep until it's consumed.
"Hyperbole" is the debut novel by author Ryan Parmenter, who has performed in and around Detroit, Michigan as a comic improviser, a teahouse musician with JRS, and as leader of the defunct progressive band Eyestrings.
DC gets destroyed.
Harland gets wasted.
America gets the leader it deserves.
This pitch-black satire follows a disillusioned pothead and his friends navigating an American minefield of domestic terrorists, power-grabbing opportunists, and meaningless dead-end jobs. Philosophical, irreverent, and sometimes oddly hopeful, Hyperbole explores what might become of the laymen when America's head gets chopped off.
Fans of transgressive fiction and dark humor should grab this book with both hands and not eat or sleep until it's consumed.
"Hyperbole" is the debut novel by author Ryan Parmenter, who has performed in and around Detroit, Michigan as a comic improviser, a teahouse musician with JRS, and as leader of the defunct progressive band Eyestrings.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2012
21 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Parmenter
5 books116 followersRyan Parmenter began writing in elementary school, to begrudgingly fulfill the required daily journal quotas. A typical conclusion to an entry read: “There, 3/4 of a page. Are you happy?”
In high school Ryan began recording music using MIDI sequencing, as well as performing in his high school's annual Pop Concerts. He released his first solo album, “Helvetica” under his initials RCP, at age 17.
As he graduated from the University of Michigan with an English degree (which degrees, he likes to joke, can be found on rolls next to the toilet), he began musical jamming with friends, which led to the founding of the progressive band Eyestrings. Eyestrings played Metro Detroit venues and found some fans in the eastern United States, playing the first Rites of Spring festival in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania in 2005, and twice playing Orion Studios in Baltimore, Maryland. Eyestrings released the albums “Burdened Hands” (2004) and “Consumption” (2005).
The band broke up and Ryan turned back to prose, completing his first (and yet unpublished) novel “Hole Filler” in 2007. Ryan released the solo albums “The Noble Knave” (2006) and “Sad Men” (2009).
He joined the Second City improvisation training program, graduating from the Second City Conservatory program in 2009 along with the woman who would become his wife. Ryan performed as an improviser and wrote and performed in original stage shows, including the bizarre variety show “Shim & D’rothy” (2009, again with his future wife) and the one-man character revue, “Jerks” (2011) at Go Comedy in Ferndale, Michigan.
He has played live music as part of the trio JRS since 2010. Ryan also wrote the musical score for the satirical “RoboCop: The Musical,” which had two successful runs at Go Comedy.
In 2010, Ryan began writing what became “Hyperbole,” a novel exploring themes such as terrorism, divorce, suicide, meaningless employment, relationship fidelity, and happiness. He e-published the novel in 2012 along with a 7-song album, “Hyperbole: The Original Novel Soundtrack,” based upon song titles mentioned throughout the novel.
Ryan then produced and recorded the audiobook version of the novel. In 2013, “Hyperbole” got its first print release under the imprint Rype, along with the audiobook and e-book.
In high school Ryan began recording music using MIDI sequencing, as well as performing in his high school's annual Pop Concerts. He released his first solo album, “Helvetica” under his initials RCP, at age 17.
As he graduated from the University of Michigan with an English degree (which degrees, he likes to joke, can be found on rolls next to the toilet), he began musical jamming with friends, which led to the founding of the progressive band Eyestrings. Eyestrings played Metro Detroit venues and found some fans in the eastern United States, playing the first Rites of Spring festival in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania in 2005, and twice playing Orion Studios in Baltimore, Maryland. Eyestrings released the albums “Burdened Hands” (2004) and “Consumption” (2005).
The band broke up and Ryan turned back to prose, completing his first (and yet unpublished) novel “Hole Filler” in 2007. Ryan released the solo albums “The Noble Knave” (2006) and “Sad Men” (2009).
He joined the Second City improvisation training program, graduating from the Second City Conservatory program in 2009 along with the woman who would become his wife. Ryan performed as an improviser and wrote and performed in original stage shows, including the bizarre variety show “Shim & D’rothy” (2009, again with his future wife) and the one-man character revue, “Jerks” (2011) at Go Comedy in Ferndale, Michigan.
He has played live music as part of the trio JRS since 2010. Ryan also wrote the musical score for the satirical “RoboCop: The Musical,” which had two successful runs at Go Comedy.
In 2010, Ryan began writing what became “Hyperbole,” a novel exploring themes such as terrorism, divorce, suicide, meaningless employment, relationship fidelity, and happiness. He e-published the novel in 2012 along with a 7-song album, “Hyperbole: The Original Novel Soundtrack,” based upon song titles mentioned throughout the novel.
Ryan then produced and recorded the audiobook version of the novel. In 2013, “Hyperbole” got its first print release under the imprint Rype, along with the audiobook and e-book.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 23, 2014
Some time ago, I decided it might be fun to start doing reviews of contemporary authors’ work. This is actually kind of a stretch for me because 1) I acquire most of my books used for $2/bag at my local library’s twice-annual sale and 2) It’s rare for me to read a book that’s less than ten or twenty years old. However, I see so many free e-book promotions on Twitter nowadays that it seems a shame not to read some more modern works, and in addition, I thought it would be the best way to get a handle on what’s happening in the indie author community.
The only problem is, most of the books I’ve acquired so far – how can I say this politely – stink. It turns out that there are, in fact, some solid reasons why indie authors don’t get the respect that traditionally published ones do, and it’s precisely because so much of the work that’s being released is so poorly done. It’s not just bad writing; I’ve begun books that were so rife with grammatical and spelling errors that they made me want to contact the authors and beg them to let me edit their work just so no one else on the planet would ever have to be exposed to such abominable English. Oftentimes you can see the beginnings of a good story, but the mechanics simply aren’t there to support it. And to me, I don’t care how great the plot is - if it’s torture for me to try to muddle my way through the bad language, I’m not going to force myself to keep reading. And it makes me very sad just how many of these books I’ve had to stop reading.
Hyperbole by Ryan Parmenter is the exception. An exception, and a truly exceptional work. Here is a book that is so professional, on every level, that it is virtually indistinguishable from a traditionally published book. Indeed, any publisher should have been honored to print it.
I don’t know why Parmenter chose to go the indie route instead. Perhaps he suffered the usual indignities heaped upon debut authors seeking publication, or perhaps, like me, he simply tired of all the waiting. What I do know is that Hyperbole has moved on to the second round for Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award. And having read the book, I can tell you that this doesn’t surprise me in the least.
Parmenter has dubbed his novel “the most violent comedy since The Bible.” While this description does not do it justice, it does paint a very accurate picture of the author’s satirical and incredibly witty sense of humor, which prevails throughout the book. There are countless passages that are so well-written, so brutally clever, that there were times in which I was jealous, actually envious that he wrote them and I didn’t. And that is perhaps the greatest compliment one author can pay to another.
Don’t get me wrong. Although there are moments that will make you laugh out loud, the book has its dark side, too, and a very dark one it is. Hyperbole takes place in the aftermath of the tragedy of “7/11,” in which Washington D.C. was obliterated, leaving a tremendous vacuum not just in the government, but in the lives of everyday Americans. The results of this catastrophe? A group of characters who might best be described as “slackers,” youngish people who lack drive or purpose and spend a great deal of time getting high. Indeed, whether it was intentional or not, there’s a definite Generation X/Y sensibility about the book. It reminded me quite forcibly of my own youth, in which many of us never bothered to make long-term plans because we figured that with the Cold War and all, the world was going to end before we grew up anyway. Imagine our surprise when the Soviet Union broke up and we suddenly had to find something to do for the next several decades, and you’ll understand how lost the characters in the novel feel in their own meaningless lives.
Yet they do find meaning. In strange, circuitous, unexpected ways, Harland and his friends somehow manage to do something, to contribute something to their vastly altered universe. And although they ultimately fail to accomplish their intended goal, such as it is, in the end what matters is that they make the effort. They find a reason to be, to continue to be. And that, it turns out, is enough.
Some readers might not enjoy Hyperbole. They may not appreciate the often dark sense of humor, or they may be offended by the rampant pot smoking, or they may not even care for the somewhat roundabout path by which the plot and the fate of the characters unfolds. But those readers will be the exception. And even to them I say, give it a try. Whether you like it or not, it’s an important book and it’s worth reading, even if it’s only to see, to feel what many people in this country are feeling. To understand the apathy and hopelessness of our generation, to comprehend how we, too, are struggling to find meaning. And most importantly, to recognize, as Hyperbole does, that the choice of who we want to be, of how we want to live, is ultimately ours. We merely must choose to make it.
It’s not a book for everyone. But everyone should read it.
http://lorilschafer.com/
The only problem is, most of the books I’ve acquired so far – how can I say this politely – stink. It turns out that there are, in fact, some solid reasons why indie authors don’t get the respect that traditionally published ones do, and it’s precisely because so much of the work that’s being released is so poorly done. It’s not just bad writing; I’ve begun books that were so rife with grammatical and spelling errors that they made me want to contact the authors and beg them to let me edit their work just so no one else on the planet would ever have to be exposed to such abominable English. Oftentimes you can see the beginnings of a good story, but the mechanics simply aren’t there to support it. And to me, I don’t care how great the plot is - if it’s torture for me to try to muddle my way through the bad language, I’m not going to force myself to keep reading. And it makes me very sad just how many of these books I’ve had to stop reading.
Hyperbole by Ryan Parmenter is the exception. An exception, and a truly exceptional work. Here is a book that is so professional, on every level, that it is virtually indistinguishable from a traditionally published book. Indeed, any publisher should have been honored to print it.
I don’t know why Parmenter chose to go the indie route instead. Perhaps he suffered the usual indignities heaped upon debut authors seeking publication, or perhaps, like me, he simply tired of all the waiting. What I do know is that Hyperbole has moved on to the second round for Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award. And having read the book, I can tell you that this doesn’t surprise me in the least.
Parmenter has dubbed his novel “the most violent comedy since The Bible.” While this description does not do it justice, it does paint a very accurate picture of the author’s satirical and incredibly witty sense of humor, which prevails throughout the book. There are countless passages that are so well-written, so brutally clever, that there were times in which I was jealous, actually envious that he wrote them and I didn’t. And that is perhaps the greatest compliment one author can pay to another.
Don’t get me wrong. Although there are moments that will make you laugh out loud, the book has its dark side, too, and a very dark one it is. Hyperbole takes place in the aftermath of the tragedy of “7/11,” in which Washington D.C. was obliterated, leaving a tremendous vacuum not just in the government, but in the lives of everyday Americans. The results of this catastrophe? A group of characters who might best be described as “slackers,” youngish people who lack drive or purpose and spend a great deal of time getting high. Indeed, whether it was intentional or not, there’s a definite Generation X/Y sensibility about the book. It reminded me quite forcibly of my own youth, in which many of us never bothered to make long-term plans because we figured that with the Cold War and all, the world was going to end before we grew up anyway. Imagine our surprise when the Soviet Union broke up and we suddenly had to find something to do for the next several decades, and you’ll understand how lost the characters in the novel feel in their own meaningless lives.
Yet they do find meaning. In strange, circuitous, unexpected ways, Harland and his friends somehow manage to do something, to contribute something to their vastly altered universe. And although they ultimately fail to accomplish their intended goal, such as it is, in the end what matters is that they make the effort. They find a reason to be, to continue to be. And that, it turns out, is enough.
Some readers might not enjoy Hyperbole. They may not appreciate the often dark sense of humor, or they may be offended by the rampant pot smoking, or they may not even care for the somewhat roundabout path by which the plot and the fate of the characters unfolds. But those readers will be the exception. And even to them I say, give it a try. Whether you like it or not, it’s an important book and it’s worth reading, even if it’s only to see, to feel what many people in this country are feeling. To understand the apathy and hopelessness of our generation, to comprehend how we, too, are struggling to find meaning. And most importantly, to recognize, as Hyperbole does, that the choice of who we want to be, of how we want to live, is ultimately ours. We merely must choose to make it.
It’s not a book for everyone. But everyone should read it.
http://lorilschafer.com/
February 4, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It takes a very dark premise (post-apocalyptic) but looks at how 'normal' people move on with their lives... or don't. We follow Harland --- a very real character... not necessary a hero and not necessarily the most likable guy... a guy much like people you know --- as he deals with the world and his life in it.
When I started, it was a little hard to get into possibly because of how bleak the world was. It pays off, though, so I strongly recommend going beyond the sample.
When I started, it was a little hard to get into possibly because of how bleak the world was. It pays off, though, so I strongly recommend going beyond the sample.
February 1, 2014
Great book. Awesome writing unlike any I've read before, but other reviewers have compared Parmenter to whatshisname who wrote Fight Club.
This story unfolds like a slowly opening accordion, seeping out a steady stream of fascinating and compelling notes. Unfortunately, I felt that the ending was like the accordion being slammed shut, with a mild re-opening.
But the journey to reach the ending... fantastic. I was enthralled with the author's skill and approach at describing things and the insight that shows the workings of a brilliant and observant mind.
Somewhere I read that the book was about Harland and his friends going on an adventurous quest or something along those lines and I wish I hadn't read that because the whole time I was reading, I kept waiting for this journey to begin. (Not that I wanted it to. I was reading the book despite it allegedly being that type of story.) I wish I knew where I read that because it's completely false.
The characters do take a trip near the end of the book, but the story is not about that trip or based on it. It's more of the climactic event.
Read this book if the idea of something dark, sarcastic, cynical and uniquely funny appeals to you.
Highly recommended!
This story unfolds like a slowly opening accordion, seeping out a steady stream of fascinating and compelling notes. Unfortunately, I felt that the ending was like the accordion being slammed shut, with a mild re-opening.
But the journey to reach the ending... fantastic. I was enthralled with the author's skill and approach at describing things and the insight that shows the workings of a brilliant and observant mind.
Somewhere I read that the book was about Harland and his friends going on an adventurous quest or something along those lines and I wish I hadn't read that because the whole time I was reading, I kept waiting for this journey to begin. (Not that I wanted it to. I was reading the book despite it allegedly being that type of story.) I wish I knew where I read that because it's completely false.
The characters do take a trip near the end of the book, but the story is not about that trip or based on it. It's more of the climactic event.
Read this book if the idea of something dark, sarcastic, cynical and uniquely funny appeals to you.
Highly recommended!
April 21, 2017
I really really really tried to get into the book because of all of the great reviews, but unfortunately I couldn't. It was funny and I did enjoy the sarcastic humor but the story itself didn't really capture my attention. Some of the stuff that happened were a little random and I don't know I guess I was just hoping for more when it came to the end.
Try it. I never say to NOT read a book because everyone has their own opinions, but for me, I didn't really enjoy it.
Try it. I never say to NOT read a book because everyone has their own opinions, but for me, I didn't really enjoy it.
June 5, 2015
I went into this book expecting something humorous and lighthearted. Maybe a satire, maybe just plain old pokes at the weakness of human nature.
But what I got into while reading this book was nothing short of brilliant and heartbreaking dark humor. I got depressed and almost cried a couple of times. My life was filtered through the thoughts and personality of Harland (the main character) and I couldn't shake him off. The writing was so powerful and so engaging that the only way for me to get out of the character's head (or push the character out of my head) was to finish the book and get to the Resolution.
I won't give away anything from the plot - the mysteries and twists are very satisfying - and I won't even say much about the characters.
Only one thing: If you're into dark humor, read it. Guaranteed to love it and cherish it among your favorites.
Here's a short intro into the action of the book, just so you'll get a taste of it: Harland works. But no, he actually pretends to work and uses his fertile imagination to pass the time. He ignores people and doesn't really engage them, even when they address him directly. His lover is a sweet young woman. Their bond is wrapped in realistic reactions and behavior fit of a couple that's been together for years. Harland's friend is a pothead. They fit nicely together. Wrap up this mix of ingredients with an alternate history bit and some SF, weird technology and you have the recipe for a great story, told in the best way possible.
Highly recommend it. Enjoy.
But what I got into while reading this book was nothing short of brilliant and heartbreaking dark humor. I got depressed and almost cried a couple of times. My life was filtered through the thoughts and personality of Harland (the main character) and I couldn't shake him off. The writing was so powerful and so engaging that the only way for me to get out of the character's head (or push the character out of my head) was to finish the book and get to the Resolution.
I won't give away anything from the plot - the mysteries and twists are very satisfying - and I won't even say much about the characters.
Only one thing: If you're into dark humor, read it. Guaranteed to love it and cherish it among your favorites.
Here's a short intro into the action of the book, just so you'll get a taste of it: Harland works. But no, he actually pretends to work and uses his fertile imagination to pass the time. He ignores people and doesn't really engage them, even when they address him directly. His lover is a sweet young woman. Their bond is wrapped in realistic reactions and behavior fit of a couple that's been together for years. Harland's friend is a pothead. They fit nicely together. Wrap up this mix of ingredients with an alternate history bit and some SF, weird technology and you have the recipe for a great story, told in the best way possible.
Highly recommend it. Enjoy.
July 22, 2016
Ryan Parmenter had me grinning and grimacing while reading Hyperbole, laughing through the bleakness of the comedy. In a dystopian “post-7/11” world, people swallow black boxes that reveal their deepest secrets when they die.
The book reveals and revels in the characters’ hedonistic tendencies, which cause them to mute out and erode their most important relationships. Scrutinizing the absurdity of everyday, the author provides a public service through revealing the contradictions of daily life. It spares nobody and nothing: religion, consumerism, romance, and the main character Harland himself are all punching bags for the literary whiz-bang of Parmenter.
I almost wrote “Palahniuk” in that last sentence, because Chuck’s style echoes eloquently in Parmenter’s prose. The tone was what made me sit up and really take notice of the very dry, dark humor. The jokes come from a place past the point of caring, which is entertaining and exciting while a little scary to imagine. Think: nihilism of Bret Easton Ellis with sociopathic twists of Martin Amis. Absurdism of Vonnegut also comes to mind, but Parmenter is more contemporary humor. Parmenter uses some of the best devices of mystery thrillers to create tension, pushing the reader to cliffhanger chapter endings, ready to dive into the next section.
The book reveals and revels in the characters’ hedonistic tendencies, which cause them to mute out and erode their most important relationships. Scrutinizing the absurdity of everyday, the author provides a public service through revealing the contradictions of daily life. It spares nobody and nothing: religion, consumerism, romance, and the main character Harland himself are all punching bags for the literary whiz-bang of Parmenter.
I almost wrote “Palahniuk” in that last sentence, because Chuck’s style echoes eloquently in Parmenter’s prose. The tone was what made me sit up and really take notice of the very dry, dark humor. The jokes come from a place past the point of caring, which is entertaining and exciting while a little scary to imagine. Think: nihilism of Bret Easton Ellis with sociopathic twists of Martin Amis. Absurdism of Vonnegut also comes to mind, but Parmenter is more contemporary humor. Parmenter uses some of the best devices of mystery thrillers to create tension, pushing the reader to cliffhanger chapter endings, ready to dive into the next section.
August 27, 2016
As appalled as I was by the behavior of some of the... or most of the... characters in this book, I couldn't help but keep on reading, because I HAD to find out what the dysfunctional, but weirdly lovable, bunch of disillusioned potheads was gonna do next. Once you start reading "Hyperbole," you'll quickly get sucked into their spiraling world of weirdness. (And that's no exaggeration!)
This story is definitely dark. And the writing is incredibly intelligent. And funny. Brilliantly funny. Parmenter has a deliciously twisted sense of humor, and a definite way with words of irony. This tale of people trying to pick up the pieces of their lives and carry on in the wake of the destruction of Washington, D.C. and in the midst of mass suicides and the election of a new president... who, by the way, happens to be in a coma... is an example of satire at its best.
Is there some bad language in this book? Yep. And sexual fantasy. Lots of drinking to oblivion and pot-smoking, too. One character's "self-medication" gets so out-of-control, he can no longer discern reality from hallucination. But in spite of the bizarre behavior and situations, the vulnerability of these characters shines through. It's just under the surface, and it makes readers want to cheer for them, and want them to succeed. They're so darned flawed. And human.
This story is definitely dark. And the writing is incredibly intelligent. And funny. Brilliantly funny. Parmenter has a deliciously twisted sense of humor, and a definite way with words of irony. This tale of people trying to pick up the pieces of their lives and carry on in the wake of the destruction of Washington, D.C. and in the midst of mass suicides and the election of a new president... who, by the way, happens to be in a coma... is an example of satire at its best.
Is there some bad language in this book? Yep. And sexual fantasy. Lots of drinking to oblivion and pot-smoking, too. One character's "self-medication" gets so out-of-control, he can no longer discern reality from hallucination. But in spite of the bizarre behavior and situations, the vulnerability of these characters shines through. It's just under the surface, and it makes readers want to cheer for them, and want them to succeed. They're so darned flawed. And human.
February 28, 2014
I am often attracted by book titles which don’t tell much about the story inside. Most of the books of this kind have proved that they are ‘hiding’ a terrific reading experience.
Hyperbole is part of the above mentioned group. I’ve downloaded it out of curiosity: its title isn’t saying anything. And I was right again. It managed to amaze me because of some reasons which I will detail in the below mentioned lines.
First the humor: it’s dark, refined and very…powerful. Honestly, I didn’t imagine I will have quite some laughs during this read.
Then, the idea of this story: simple but yet so complex. I will not give any spoiler here but I have to highlight the fact that the roots of this story are deeply submerged in our present reality.
An excellent book which clearly deserves an excellent rating.
Hyperbole is part of the above mentioned group. I’ve downloaded it out of curiosity: its title isn’t saying anything. And I was right again. It managed to amaze me because of some reasons which I will detail in the below mentioned lines.
First the humor: it’s dark, refined and very…powerful. Honestly, I didn’t imagine I will have quite some laughs during this read.
Then, the idea of this story: simple but yet so complex. I will not give any spoiler here but I have to highlight the fact that the roots of this story are deeply submerged in our present reality.
An excellent book which clearly deserves an excellent rating.
March 6, 2014
I would not doubt for a minute that one day we’ll see Hyperbole by Ryan Parmenter turned into a movie or TV series of some sort! I couldn’t put it down and could even relate to some of the situations! You will be laughing your butt off as you read this well written book! Ryan Parmenter is obviously an intelligent and witty guy who is also a very talented writer! He made a huge fan out me and I know he’s going somewhere! The realness of the characters and the dark humor make this a book you will not want to put down and you’ll actually just feel good from it! I highly recommend Hyperbole by Ryan Parmenter!
April 26, 2015
Hard Work. This the slowest I've read a book in ages... It was like walking through treacle. The first 2/3 of the book didn't get me interested. It was just ramblings of a pothead... Not interesting ramblings either. I was tempted to give up, but there were moments that made treacle waking seem like it might be worthwhile. The last third of the book was where the plot was hidden & was very entertaining, until the end. All of the rebellion & madness drifted into an finale comparable to the endings of an average family American sitcom (yes I mean Different Strokes). This book had great me moments & an interesting plot (when it arrived), but not enough for my taste.
September 13, 2016
I just couldn't keep reading it. I don't know if it's me or the book but I just couldn't get into it and nothing stuck with me. Every time I picked it back up I would have to re-read the previous page to try and remember what was going on. And on more then one occasion I would have to re-read the paragraph I'd just finished because I would forget what I read instantly. Maybe I'll pick it up again one day to attempt to read and enjoy it.
April 28, 2014
I can't recommend this book. I get the exaggeration but shudder at being put through a ringer with mean and hateful characters.
June 28, 2014
Good Idea. Some very good parts. Very well written. Could have used some editing to shorten it up a bit.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews