Synopsis: Welcome to Inner Horner, a nation so small it can only accommodate one citizen at a time. The other six citizens must wait their turns in the Short-Term Residency Zone of the surrounding country of Outer Horner. It’s a long-standing arrangement between the fantastical, not-exactly-human citizens of the two countries. But when Inner Horner suddenly shrinks, forcing three-quarters of the citizen then in residence over the border into Outer Horner territory, the Outer Hornerites declare an Invasion in Progress- having fallen under the spell of the power-hungry and demagogic Phil.
So begins The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil. Fueled by Saunders’ unrivaled wit, outlandish imagination, and incisive political sensibility, here is a deeply strange yet strangely familiar fable of power and impotence, justice and injustice – an Animal Farm for our times.
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I picked up this short book (130 pages 1.5 spaced) from the library because it sounded interesting. Indeed it is. There are monster-like creatures who are squeezed into a nation too small to because considered a home, let alone a country, power-thirsty ruthless Phil who comes up with politcal moves not unlike what we see in this world, and ridiculous personalities that crack you up with their deadpan humour and ignorance. I particularly like a certain clause Phil enacted, however politically incorrect it is:
“When Disloyalty occurs (to be determined at the discretion of PHIL), the consequence for that Disloyalty will be determined by PHIL and PHIL alone.” — p. 108
I’m not going to ask you if it sounds familiar, but don’t you think that pretty much sums up what a legal system essentially is? Well, in a negative sense, at least.
I found the book to be a joy to read. It’s entertaining yet kinda smart (in a way). Hmm, not sure why I posited that binary, but let’s leave it as that.
