Animals of the Ocean, In Particular the Giant Squid is the third installment in a McSweeney's series from Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey (aka Dave and Christopher Eggers) in which the authors straight-facedly present page after page of their own loosely-related and bizarre scientific theories, beginning with an authors' introduction:
"The ocean has been on the earth for thousands of years. It is generally blue and nearly always viscous. Most people feel that the ocean is not interesting to study because of these factors, but I think the ocean is not so bad. I believe my partner Benny and I are the only scientists ever to explore what is in and under the sea. This book has been created for readers of all ages and levels of intelligence. Most of it, nevertheless, wil go over your head. Forgive me if I find you bothersome."
Brilliant in its nonsequitorial humor and lavishly illustrated to resemble nothing so much as a mid-twentieth century high school science text, Animals of the Ocean will sometimes have you laughing out loud, and by "you" I mean those of you who should perhaps purchase this book. Some of the page headings and examples include:
"The ocean has been on the earth for thousands of years. It is generally blue and nearly always viscous. Most people feel that the ocean is not interesting to study because of these factors, but I think the ocean is not so bad. I believe my partner Benny and I are the only scientists ever to explore what is in and under the sea. This book has been created for readers of all ages and levels of intelligence. Most of it, nevertheless, wil go over your head. Forgive me if I find you bothersome."
Brilliant in its nonsequitorial humor and lavishly illustrated to resemble nothing so much as a mid-twentieth century high school science text, Animals of the Ocean will sometimes have you laughing out loud, and by "you" I mean those of you who should perhaps purchase this book. Some of the page headings and examples include:
Squid Dating Dos and Don'ts
"Do Not bring up Hobbe's notion of Natural Rights."
Types of Dumb Dolphins
"Dolphins that look like they're smiling."
What Does Water Do on the Weekends
"He does not like to talk or think about horses or Congress or knives or the Falklands."
Shark Religion At a Glance
"There are no candles or stained glass in shark religion, but there is braised brisket. This is worn around the neck."
"Do Not bring up Hobbe's notion of Natural Rights."
Types of Dumb Dolphins
"Dolphins that look like they're smiling."
What Does Water Do on the Weekends
"He does not like to talk or think about horses or Congress or knives or the Falklands."
Shark Religion At a Glance
"There are no candles or stained glass in shark religion, but there is braised brisket. This is worn around the neck."
Animals of the Ocean is not a children's book, though it may resemble a children's book or even appeal to children. The misinformation within however will appeal to the adult reader with a particularly skewed sense of humor. I was initially attracted to the series by the wonderful illustrations, but I was hooked by the seriously academic nature in which the authors dish out their irreverent and irrelevant theories, oftentimes peppering them with movie references:
"When the animals of the ocean first encountered music, they thought it sounded faint. And sometimes muffled. Some rye bread is Jewish and some is Russian. In the movie called Tron, there are men and women in tight clothing who throw discs and drive cars. Their world is not so different than ours. Bless us all."
The other two books in the Haggis-On-Whey series are Giraffes? Giraffes! and Your Disgusting Head. These books are not for everyone, but if you've read this far it's likely that they are for you or at least would make a great gift for your weird friend.
"When the animals of the ocean first encountered music, they thought it sounded faint. And sometimes muffled. Some rye bread is Jewish and some is Russian. In the movie called Tron, there are men and women in tight clothing who throw discs and drive cars. Their world is not so different than ours. Bless us all."
The other two books in the Haggis-On-Whey series are Giraffes? Giraffes! and Your Disgusting Head. These books are not for everyone, but if you've read this far it's likely that they are for you or at least would make a great gift for your weird friend.
