The Nashville Scene featured John Egerton’s hilarious and provocative new book Ali Dubyiah and the Forty Thieves on their cover today, calling the political parody both “endless fun” and “unforgiving.” From the article:
The ugly side of America is the target of Ali Dubyiah and the Forty Thieves, Egerton’s debut work of fiction. At first glance, its premise seems even more at odds with his image than his fondness for Jim ‘n Nick’s barbecue. This careful historian has produced a futuristic satirical fantasy aimed squarely at the present state of American politics. The book, told as a fable, begins in “the night-darkened end of the third millennium” when a mysterious figure named Ibrahim Barzouni recounts the story of an ancient American king, Fratbush, who came to power unexpectedly, and by questionable means. His cronies include Dick “The Mole” Chaingang, Donald “Dr. Toughlove” Rumsfailed and Karl “Babyface” Machiavrovelli. As Ibrahim Barzouni tells the story, Fratbush (a.k.a. Ali Dubyiah) embarks on a power-mad quest for global domination, driven by a combination of unfettered ego and primitive religious ideology. He begins his stomp across the globe in pursuit of (who else?) former ally Osama bin Hiden, now an avowed enemy of America and leader of a “soulless band of homicidal fanatics.” When that quest fails, Fratbush turns his attention to attacking another repulsive ex-friend, Saddam Gomorrah, which doesn’t go so well, either.
Read the entire article online at The Nashville Scene.
Ali Dubyiah and the Forty Thieves will be available in mid-September 2006; pre-order now from NewSouth Books, Amazon.com, or your favorite local or online book retailer.
John Egerton will also appear this weekend at the Atlanta Journal Constitution Decatur Book Festival. To learn more, visit www.decaturbookfestival.com.