Boomsday

Title- Boomsday

Author- Christopher Buckley

ISBN -0446579815

Publication Information- Twelve, 2007

 

Plot Summary- Cassandra was accepted to Yale but was forced to join the army when her father lost all her college money in a dotcom start-up. While in the army she is responsible for the injury of Randolf Jepperson, a US Congressman and is dishonestly discharged. However, said Congressman offers her a job which eventually leads her to being a Washington spin doctor by day and a blogger by night. After a particularly frustrating vote on Social Security, Cassandra rails that her generation should rebel against the government and stop paying taxes so they no longer have to support the Baby Boomer generation. When that gets her in trouble with the FBI, she advocates that all people should commit state sponsored suicide by age seventy-five. The idea becomes popular and Jepperson uses it as the centerpiece to a run for President.

Critical Evaluation- This book a fun ride about an issue that will become a serious problem in short order. Buckley has clearly studied Jonathan Swift's Modest Proposal and has played with the concept here, making a serious criticism by proposing an absurd option. He is also makes insightful criticism of the inner-workings of the Washington political machine. Cassandra is developed to reflect the frustrations with the youth of today's society. Her father, a boomer, does the unthinkable in the name of selfishness and ruins her life. Her motivation as the novel progresses makes perfect sense. The secondary characters are equally entertaining. Mostly notably, Congressman Jepperson, who is a boomer himself, but who takes up the cause as a ploy to get elected, is simultaneously fun and indicative of the problems of Washington today. The novel elements combined, characters, plot, and theme, all make it a worthwhile read.

Reader's Annotation- The Baby Boomer generation is nothing but a long term drain on the youth of the country. Perhaps, just perhaps, they should kill themselves and save us all money.

Author Information- As the son of William Buckley, Christopher Buckley was bound to be a political satirist. He has published several novels of the genre. He has also written for virtually every major U.S. news magazine in the business right now, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, and The New Yorker.

Curricular Ties- Sociology, English

Genre- Political fiction, Realistic

Book talking ideas- Are Cassandra's motivations really politically motivated? Or are they entirely borne from frustration with her father? How does her proposal compare to Swift's Modest Proposal?

Challenge issues- Political issues, some sexual content, language

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 15-adult

Why I selected this piece-.My librarian and best teacher friends were having a laugh out loud conversation about his book, so I had to pick it up.