Race Me in a Lobster Suit
Absurd Internet Ads and the Real Conversations that Followed
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This collection of prank Craigslist ads and the real email exchanges that followed is “hilarious, good fun” and the perfect gift for fans of offbeat humor (Huffington Post) When New York City copywriter Kelly Mahon started posting fake gig ads online as a creative outlet, she was surprised to find that there was someone interested in every bizarre job offer she dreamed up. Race Me in a Lobster Suit collects Mahon’s funniest posts, along with the improvised email exchanges with would-be cocoon knitters and lobster racers. Some correspondents became suspicious, while others seemed willing to play along. The result is good-natured comedy gold and a kind of collaborative entertainment that could only exist in the internet gig economy. Irreverent illustrations by cartoonist Graham Annable (creator of the Harvey Award nominated Grickle comics) ensure that this small book offers outsize laughs. A quick, hilarious read, Race Me in a Lobster Suit is perfect for anyone who needs a bit of absurdity to brighten their day.
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Many years ago in Greece, there was a superbly hilarious TV show, a political and social satire. One of my favourite sections in each episode was dedicated to real advertisements found in newspapers and magazine. There was no Twitter or Facebook back then. Those adverts were so illogical, so utterly out of hand that it was difficult to believe they were genuine. And yet, they were. This book by Kelly Mahon brought these memories back to mind. Our current times are even more delirious and out of hand and I am certain that many 30-plus-year-olds who are going to read Race Me In A Lobster Suit will come to think that maybe this world has derailed to the point of no return in terms of intelligence and decency.
Anyway, this quirky little book was an absolute fun. Mahon created fake advertisements and initiated the completely crazy conversations with the people who were brave (or foolish, it depends on the way you look at the subject...) enough to answer her call. I found out that there are people who are willing to become a human piñata. To play dead for the sake of a couple's fantasies. To knit a jumpsuit- human cocoon. To organize a fashion snow for 78 snakes. To volunteer for a cryotherapy programme. To provide urine samples. To become a canvas for someone to practise tattoos when that ‘'someone'' is a completely inexperienced amateur. And many more stories...
This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. Or one of the most disconcerting. I don't know. I'll place an advertisement asking for a decisions helper. Who knows?
Many thanks to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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