Worst Person Ever

 WORST PERSON EVER

Definitely a candidate for banning the annals of Books for Bigots.  Brad Zaun would be pleased to be able to list this novel among those prohibited from all schools, libraries, and any other depository of learning.  Douglas Coupland in Worst Person Ever, A Novel, has truly given us a man, Raymond Gunt, a person to avoid.  Mr. Gunt is, as some would describe, disgusting, which according to Senator Zaun, is the criteria for determining whether a work of fiction, or any other work for that matter, is to be allowed into our libraries for the possible perusal by our younger and undeveloped minds.

I personally found Mr. Gunt disagreeable to an extent that although not unparalleled in the history of literature, ranking right up there in fictional characters I wouldn't want to hang with.  Unfortunately for the Senator, all works of fiction, including this one, usually have some idea of what they want to portray to their readers and often it is, in fact, a sense of disgust and dismay that the world could possibly include such disagreeable people.  One must point out, again, some books are not for the purpose of simply portraying agreeable people but to give us a perspective on just how disagreeable people can be and then to avoid, if possible.

What our good Senator does not understand, since he obviously does not read books and is therefore unfamiliar with their purpose, is to provide perspective where none currently exists.  In this particular book, our author, Mr. Coupland is giving us a really good example of obnoxiousness, along with, I might add, an insight into reality TV.

I would suggest that Senator Zaun read this book and then ban it.  He will not only be acquainted with a superbly disgusting human being, but a view of reality TV, which presumably, the Senator watches.  The good Senator may not be aware of the criteria for choosing participants to camp out in the jungle or wherever the filming may occur.  The criteria will not meet with the Senator's approval and he will be appalled at the treatment given by the author of the selection process.  

As with all novels, American novels (Canadian actually)  especially, that portray Americans, it would do the Senator some good to have some understanding of the people who may reside in his district so that he could deliver the proper tone.  Although Mr. Gunt is British and therefore, possibly to Mr. Zaun, more obnoxious inherently than the average American, this novel is bona fide since most of the supporting cast are American and show Americans as some really fine specimens.  It would also give the Senator the opportunity to indicate his displeasure in a Canadian writing a novel about obnoxious Americans - - as if they know anything about Americans!

What may be beneficial, our good Senator could probably be able to increase his vocabulary considerably by reading this book.  I will presume, once again, that the Senator's vocabulary is strictly limited as a result of not reading  modern novels.  Mr. Gunt's vocabulary is highly amusing in places and could assist a person in vocalizing slurs, vilifications, and insults; hence could be a valuable resource for one such as the Senator when dealing with people of different opinion from his own.  He might even be able to refine his literary criteria of disgusting.

In conclusion, Worst Person Ever, a Novel is clearly a candidate for banning.  This, once again, is based on the understanding that Brad Zaun would not approve and clearly declare it not appropriate.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo