Disillusioned by a series of unreasonable events following the release of a student’s video that quickly went viral, a disgruntled schoolteacher steps away from his calling and begins searching for a remedy for the unusual feelings ailing him. Diagnosed as having something called absurdity neurosis, he discovers that the only cure is to identify something even more absurd in order to put his experiences back into perspective. Luckily, there is a place even more unusual than his hometown of Paradox, USA, and the schoolteacher travels to observe what could possibly surpass the absurdity that seems to be unrelentingly encroaching upon him from all sides.

This darkly humorous tale examines real life events from an absurdist perspective, introducing readers to a fictional land that is somehow more unusual than the place from which the narrator hails. Told primarily in the first person from the narrator’s perspective, the story speaks frequently to the reader as events are experienced, which pulls readers more deeply into the story. Readers familiar with events from 2016 to the present day in the United States will recognize many of the references in this novel, which leads it into the realm of absurdist political satire. Though the specific catalyst in this story is fictional, many of the repercussions are not. This allows readers to investigate true events through a different lens while enjoying a lighthearted and quirky adventure.

Highly conversational, this is a tale that reads with ease and is accessible to young adults and full-grown adults alike. Because it is so politically driven, there may be some resistance from the more conservative end of the spectrum, especially as it references several platforms relevant to this group. However, the overall presentation of the novel is intended to be a remedy for those on the more liberal end of the spectrum who may more acutely recognize the beliefs and behaviors referenced in this narrative. The story flows smoothly, but there are times when the plot could move more quickly by utilizing less detailed descriptions. Overall, however, politically savvy readers with an interest in stories that offer unique and intentional descriptions of the world through atypical lenses will appreciate both the design and storytelling found in this book. This novel is best suited to young adult readers and up.