The Multicultiboho Sideshow: A Novel

by Alexs D. Pate

In this provocative and searing satire, young, unpublished, African American author Ichabod Word captures and holds hostage unsuspecting law officer Bloom. Icky proceeds to regale Bloom with a rambling tale of anger and woe about Dewitt McMichael, a benefactor of artists of color who is now a garbage bag-wrapped corpse in the corner of his living room. Even if it proves to be his last, desperate act on this earth, Icky is determined to vent in full the bizarre circumstances that led to the latter's demise -- a mind-boggling chronicle of power, immorality, money, political stratification, racial discrimination, brilliant creation, and desecration. Alternately sobering and screamingly funny, Alexs D. Pate's The Multicultiboho Sideshow is a blistering and remarkable work that spares nothing and no one.

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Alexs pate is an Assistant Professor in African American and African Studies at the University of Minnesota, where he teaches courses in writing and black literature, including a course on “The Poetry of Rap.” He also teaches fiction writing at the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast M.F.A. program in Portland, Maine.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is well-worth reading in the current atmosphere, following the despicable attack on African-Americans in South Carolina. The story, however, is set in Minnesota and features a parody of its foundations dealing with the arts community, particularly artists of color. Satire or not, I have to believe that Pate, who teaches at the University of Minnesota, is laying bare his own personal concerns regarding the struggles we still face as we strive for racial equity.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marvelous surprise of a book. The craft is impressive and the story is captivating, but the way it manages to unfold is amazing. It is so different than what I thought I was getting into, so much fresher and more significant, and afterwards I wouldn't have wanted it to go any other way.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a Minnesotan, I was amused to try to piece together which satirical pieces belonged to what organizations (Shrubbery Foundation = Bush Foundation, etc.). But alas, I am not a good reader of satire, as I found myself more annoyed than anything else with the pervasive ego and didactic dialogue. The form of the book also felt lumpen: there was the action of the police kidnapping, the backstory that was often disrupted by said action, an incredibly long debate/discussion between the bohos, an improbable conclusion to the grant process (yes, part of the satire, I am sure), a zip-up closed / little wall-hitting, which made it actually feel as if it would have been more effective as a two- or three-act play than it would have been a novel. Beyond this, the language was riddled with cliche, when I feel it hadn't meant to be.

In contrast, I *did* enjoy West of Rehoboth, which I read shortly after having Alexs Pate as a professor.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story told by an African American transplant to Minneapolis, and his artistic cohorts. A mystery wrapped in a hostage situation, death, laughs, tears and redemption. Alexs D. Pate does a good job of poking fun at what's typical about Minnesotans while the seriousness of the central story of raw conflict intensifies.

[Shreela Sen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this the singularly most distasteful book I came accross. Other reviewers here mention that it is a Satire, something I TOTALLY FAILED to figure out by myself. Maybe this book is not intended for international audience. I was just dumbfounded by a book rationalizing a planned murder.

[Elisa Gusdal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudos to Alex again!

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The satire is biting and so real. Pate really takes on "diversity" and "multiculturalism" and asks what it really means and why it's important. I read the book in one sitting. That's RARE for me!