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Catastrophically Consequential
This kindred spirit / doppelgänger / protégé of "Hideous Exuberance" incorporates non-linear plots; comical rants and disturbing inner monologues; stream of consciousness dream sequences; surrealistic scenarios and time-traveling characters. Revel in the chaotic confusion of sociopathic celebrities, suburban swingers, suicidal trust fund girls, decadent jet setters, D-list standup comics, medieval princesses, sinister passive-aggressive jokers, "Evilangelists", and a host of other lost souls and disreputable, vindictive losers, as they search in vain for metaphysical clarity.
Please refer to the Blog Posting on the Stephen C. Bird Author Profile Page for Quotes from Goodreads Reviews for "Catastrophically Consequential".
Please refer to the Blog Posting on the Stephen C. Bird Author Profile Page for Quotes from Goodreads Reviews for "Catastrophically Consequential".
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2012
22 people are currently reading
5177 people want to read
About the author
Stephen C. Bird
5 books367 followersStephen C. Bird is a fiction writer and visual artist. He has written the following books: "Hideous Exuberance" (2009, 2013); "Catastrophically Consequential" (2012); "Any Resemblance to a Coincidence is Accidental" (2015); "To Be to Is to Was" (2018); and "From G to PG to R to X" (2022). He was born in Toronto and grew up in Erie County, New York. Mr. Bird has lived in New York City for most of his adult life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 13, 2012
I won this book in a giveaway and received it yesterday. I read the first two chapters and was basically confused...was it deep? dark? ...what the heck...Then my 22 year old daughter came home from work. I had her read the first two chapters...she had the same look I had while reading it. Suddenly, she began reading the third chapter out loud to my family. We found ourselves laughing out loud at the sometimes brilliant, funny, and definitely strange ramblings! She read the entire book to us. It took on a whole new life and we were completely entertained by it. In the end, I am happy that I received this book and would recommend it to a select group of people. Fun night!
May 11, 2015
I received this book for free as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I'm going to be 100% honest here, if I hadn't won this book in the giveaway and subsequently felt that I should review it- I probably would have never picked it up.
I started reading this book on April 20th and managed to read two chapters that day. I then attempted to read the third chapter and felt so overwhelmed that I had to stop. I didn't pick it up again until the 24th of April. For four days I stared at Catastrophically Consequential and for four days I felt extremely frustrated. I'm not usually one to not finish a book, even if I don't really like it, and I didn't want my first Goodreads First Reads book to be one of them.
Once I picked it up again, this time focused on getting through the book, understanding as much as I could, I managed to make it through.
If you don't want spoilers I suggest that you don't read the next part.
My half star for the writing aspect of the novel combined with the four stars I want to give Stephen C. Bird for the main concept of the novel makes it hard for me to decide between a four and a five.
However, given the fact that I thought I was going to hate the book, after reading the first chapter, I'm going to round up to a five for surprising me with how much I actually like it.
I'm going to be 100% honest here, if I hadn't won this book in the giveaway and subsequently felt that I should review it- I probably would have never picked it up.
I started reading this book on April 20th and managed to read two chapters that day. I then attempted to read the third chapter and felt so overwhelmed that I had to stop. I didn't pick it up again until the 24th of April. For four days I stared at Catastrophically Consequential and for four days I felt extremely frustrated. I'm not usually one to not finish a book, even if I don't really like it, and I didn't want my first Goodreads First Reads book to be one of them.
Once I picked it up again, this time focused on getting through the book, understanding as much as I could, I managed to make it through.
If you don't want spoilers I suggest that you don't read the next part.
My half star for the writing aspect of the novel combined with the four stars I want to give Stephen C. Bird for the main concept of the novel makes it hard for me to decide between a four and a five.
However, given the fact that I thought I was going to hate the book, after reading the first chapter, I'm going to round up to a five for surprising me with how much I actually like it.
October 24, 2012
I encourage anyone who considers herself at all literarily adventuresome to dive into the weird world of the words of Stephen C. Bird. Like its predecessor Hideous Exuberance, Catastrophically Consequential plays with language to an extent seldom seen even in the most experimental fiction. The language reveals character and the author's relationship with his characters, and realities are toyed with to the max. There is time travel, there are explorations of extreme degradation, and people who are both poignant and pathetic. Sometimes the language is a bit too satirically impenetrable in an attempt to convey ignorant oafishness, but more often it is just delightfully strange. For all the bizarreness, characters and situations are often deeply recognizable, even including the medieval Princess Orca Media who is reincarnated as a stand-up comic. That should maybe give you an idea.
April 11, 2012
Brilliant!
If you a take the time to read this small book you will LOL many times(and I hate that acronym?) I did not really want to read a satire: a dead medium....but after I did I was refreshed and revitalized..There is still art being produced via words in this country. Bird is a bitter even nasty man but so fing smart you will be humbled. Keep in mind this book was written for art sake. With little or no encouragement....In another era before I pad 2's and we all (save people on this great site) decide to look at pictures... we would know Steve Birds name and sit around and quote his marvelous work...really Steve is that good. I cant imagine anyone not laughing or at least respecting a lot of the pros….although some of it is a tad tedious/redundant, (I still don’t get the somber critical first few pages but I am not well) as various languages are used…. (not for the A.D.D) push trough for the golden lines!….
“Be still with your waxing hysteria”
“Everything is going to be different once I acquire a wardrobe of rubber fetish gear”
“ They were the neighborhoods new hot couple” (possible mis quote)
“referring to a twelve step group as “Pal-o-non” “At pal-on-non she would share how she got into another toxic relationship” ( I am laughing hard right now) and how her “fellow co depedents would trash her at fellowship” Steve comes up w/ another word for fellowship.
“I have shattered the props of your wasted, meaningless lives of indolence: what were formally objects of luxury now represent the deformed ugliness of your grotesque hypocrisy”
Finally a woman has a break down and start screaming at a bunch of unsuspecting Euro trash at a NewYears gathering in So Ho…..
Then she jumped on the back of a woman (laughing again!!) of a woman she had identified as the female alpha whore”
BY the way….Bird nails the Lower Eastside scene and Martha Stewart, (GALIATH/ BRANDING) helps if you are familiar with BOTH.
If you a take the time to read this small book you will LOL many times(and I hate that acronym?) I did not really want to read a satire: a dead medium....but after I did I was refreshed and revitalized..There is still art being produced via words in this country. Bird is a bitter even nasty man but so fing smart you will be humbled. Keep in mind this book was written for art sake. With little or no encouragement....In another era before I pad 2's and we all (save people on this great site) decide to look at pictures... we would know Steve Birds name and sit around and quote his marvelous work...really Steve is that good. I cant imagine anyone not laughing or at least respecting a lot of the pros….although some of it is a tad tedious/redundant, (I still don’t get the somber critical first few pages but I am not well) as various languages are used…. (not for the A.D.D) push trough for the golden lines!….
“Be still with your waxing hysteria”
“Everything is going to be different once I acquire a wardrobe of rubber fetish gear”
“ They were the neighborhoods new hot couple” (possible mis quote)
“referring to a twelve step group as “Pal-o-non” “At pal-on-non she would share how she got into another toxic relationship” ( I am laughing hard right now) and how her “fellow co depedents would trash her at fellowship” Steve comes up w/ another word for fellowship.
“I have shattered the props of your wasted, meaningless lives of indolence: what were formally objects of luxury now represent the deformed ugliness of your grotesque hypocrisy”
Finally a woman has a break down and start screaming at a bunch of unsuspecting Euro trash at a NewYears gathering in So Ho…..
Then she jumped on the back of a woman (laughing again!!) of a woman she had identified as the female alpha whore”
BY the way….Bird nails the Lower Eastside scene and Martha Stewart, (GALIATH/ BRANDING) helps if you are familiar with BOTH.
January 15, 2013
This is a really well-titled book, for one thing. "Catastrophically Consequential" is a seeming humble-brag, a bombastic statement-name á la "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius," though Bird's collection of stories-about-stories-about-stories bears no resemblance whatsoever to Eggers' steady account of his rise from tragedy. Stephen C. Bird's work contains tragedy, for sure — not as a pit you rise from, but built right into the architecture of language and identity. Catastrophically consequential: isn't it all? Aren't we all?
As to identity, there are multitudes, and in this prequel to "Hideous Exuberance," he sucks the reader back into a kaleidoscope of the damaged, deranged, fat, angry, hapless, medieval, phonetically confusing, twitchily hilarious, despairing, and genuinely, searingly poetic. In the space of a paragraph, the various narrators can verge from the mythic landscapes of demented demigods, to the interior monologue of a Faulknerian adherent of a kind of Orwellian moral doublespeak. In Ebonic-Southern-redneck drawl. It is not easy stuff, but Catastrophically Consequential is by turns hilarious, brilliantly musical, and it's audacious as all hell. His writing is infectious, too; reading back over this review, Bird's all over it. Or my version of him, anyhow.
Maybe most refreshing is that Stephen Bird, as a writer, is willing (or compelled?) to navigate seemingly any avenue of Western culture, and trusts his reader to be able to see all the signposts. If you can't, then he gives you enough to chew on, look up, and ponder. And if you don't wanna do that either, read somebody else.
As to identity, there are multitudes, and in this prequel to "Hideous Exuberance," he sucks the reader back into a kaleidoscope of the damaged, deranged, fat, angry, hapless, medieval, phonetically confusing, twitchily hilarious, despairing, and genuinely, searingly poetic. In the space of a paragraph, the various narrators can verge from the mythic landscapes of demented demigods, to the interior monologue of a Faulknerian adherent of a kind of Orwellian moral doublespeak. In Ebonic-Southern-redneck drawl. It is not easy stuff, but Catastrophically Consequential is by turns hilarious, brilliantly musical, and it's audacious as all hell. His writing is infectious, too; reading back over this review, Bird's all over it. Or my version of him, anyhow.
Maybe most refreshing is that Stephen Bird, as a writer, is willing (or compelled?) to navigate seemingly any avenue of Western culture, and trusts his reader to be able to see all the signposts. If you can't, then he gives you enough to chew on, look up, and ponder. And if you don't wanna do that either, read somebody else.
December 13, 2012
Treasures of the Unknown.... December 12, 2012
By Nina Klein -
This review is from: Catastrophically Consequential (Paperback)
I had read Mr. Birds' first book Hideous Exuberance which I thoroughly enjoyed and this second book was truly an art form in itself. It has beauty, greed, spiritualness the ugliness of the world, the truth about what's happened to our society and was also beautifully entwined with the past and the present. Mr. Bird has such a visual and artistic imaginaton it is very easy to visualize everything you are reading.. Defintely a must read...Will not disappoint at all... Stephen C. Bird
By Nina Klein -
This review is from: Catastrophically Consequential (Paperback)
I had read Mr. Birds' first book Hideous Exuberance which I thoroughly enjoyed and this second book was truly an art form in itself. It has beauty, greed, spiritualness the ugliness of the world, the truth about what's happened to our society and was also beautifully entwined with the past and the present. Mr. Bird has such a visual and artistic imaginaton it is very easy to visualize everything you are reading.. Defintely a must read...Will not disappoint at all... Stephen C. Bird
May 24, 2012
A book different from anything you've ever read before. Quite original with bold and daring style.
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
Carrie A. Watson
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
Carrie A. Watson
December 31, 2012
This cleverly crafted, ironic short story with its cliché and satirical themes is truly remarkable and quite extraordinary!
Totally genius, clever and ingenious this spectacular short story is just breathtaking. The concoction of celebrity merged with the bizarre, peculiar and individualistic characters makes this a real treat for any reader who is seeking something different and quite out of the ordinary! Brimmed full of wit, sarcasm, realism and truth-drawing poignancy this thought-provoking, idiosyncratic book is so absorbing that you will find it hard to put down. Reading ‘Catastrophically Consequential’ I felt like Alice in Wonderland who had been lured into a tantalizingly tempting trap that was so outlandish, eccentric and extraordinary that I did not want it to end. Changing ones aspect on life itself I can honestly say that this story is affecting, touching your inner self and which lingers upon ones mind for a long time afterwards. Prepare yourself for such chaotic confusion as to confound, which combines a blend of fantasy, general fiction, humor, satire and adult themes…which is totally astonishing!!
This prequel-sequel to ‘Hideous Exuberance’ incorporates non-linear plots; comical rants and disturbing inner monologues: stream of consciousness dream sequences: psychedelic, surrealistic scenarios and time-traveling characters. Revel in the chaotic confusion of sociopathic celebrities, suburban swingers, suicidal trust fund girls, decadent jet setters, D-list standup comics, medieval princesses, sinister passive-aggressive jokers, “Evangelists” and a host of other lost souls and disreputable, vindictive losers as they search in vain for metaphysical clarity. This work encompasses the following genres: Adult, experimental, fantasy, fiction, humor, satire and short story.
Surrealistic, psychedelic, neo-beatnik, character-based collection of thematically unified, darkly humorous and satirical short stories; featuring meandering non-linear plots, disturbing inner monologues, imaginary dialects, dream sequences and comical rants!
I am lost for words! This book is certainly targeted at a wide readership, being something that will appeal to anyone and to those who have a vivid imagination. As such a person I can honestly say that this book was so enjoyable to read, peculiar and at times embodied such lunacy and yet was so brilliant. The author’s visual, artistic vision is commendable as too is his dry sense of humor that comes across through the writing. This is a strange book and one that doesn’t have a storyline (shock!) nor can it be slotted into a specific genre and so this makes it totally unique, original and a stand-out book or ‘one of its kind’.
If you have an odd and often over-active imagination like myself, then I highly recommend it as a fantastic read!
*I won this book in a first-reads giveaway on GoodReads. I would like to thank the author for having his book as a giveaway*
Totally genius, clever and ingenious this spectacular short story is just breathtaking. The concoction of celebrity merged with the bizarre, peculiar and individualistic characters makes this a real treat for any reader who is seeking something different and quite out of the ordinary! Brimmed full of wit, sarcasm, realism and truth-drawing poignancy this thought-provoking, idiosyncratic book is so absorbing that you will find it hard to put down. Reading ‘Catastrophically Consequential’ I felt like Alice in Wonderland who had been lured into a tantalizingly tempting trap that was so outlandish, eccentric and extraordinary that I did not want it to end. Changing ones aspect on life itself I can honestly say that this story is affecting, touching your inner self and which lingers upon ones mind for a long time afterwards. Prepare yourself for such chaotic confusion as to confound, which combines a blend of fantasy, general fiction, humor, satire and adult themes…which is totally astonishing!!
This prequel-sequel to ‘Hideous Exuberance’ incorporates non-linear plots; comical rants and disturbing inner monologues: stream of consciousness dream sequences: psychedelic, surrealistic scenarios and time-traveling characters. Revel in the chaotic confusion of sociopathic celebrities, suburban swingers, suicidal trust fund girls, decadent jet setters, D-list standup comics, medieval princesses, sinister passive-aggressive jokers, “Evangelists” and a host of other lost souls and disreputable, vindictive losers as they search in vain for metaphysical clarity. This work encompasses the following genres: Adult, experimental, fantasy, fiction, humor, satire and short story.
Surrealistic, psychedelic, neo-beatnik, character-based collection of thematically unified, darkly humorous and satirical short stories; featuring meandering non-linear plots, disturbing inner monologues, imaginary dialects, dream sequences and comical rants!
I am lost for words! This book is certainly targeted at a wide readership, being something that will appeal to anyone and to those who have a vivid imagination. As such a person I can honestly say that this book was so enjoyable to read, peculiar and at times embodied such lunacy and yet was so brilliant. The author’s visual, artistic vision is commendable as too is his dry sense of humor that comes across through the writing. This is a strange book and one that doesn’t have a storyline (shock!) nor can it be slotted into a specific genre and so this makes it totally unique, original and a stand-out book or ‘one of its kind’.
If you have an odd and often over-active imagination like myself, then I highly recommend it as a fantastic read!
*I won this book in a first-reads giveaway on GoodReads. I would like to thank the author for having his book as a giveaway*
August 23, 2012
In keeping up with the idea of how short this book is, I will be writing a review that contains exactly 152 words (which is equivalent to the amount of words in the book) starting now…. Catastrophically Consequential by Stephen C. Bird is something so different from books out there, it was worth reading. Although there is really no obvious storyline or genre it in someway can be related to poetry in the way that it has a deeper meaning at certain times. I honestly feel this book is destined for someone who will thoroughly enjoy it but I was not one of them. The book really demonstrates how creative Stephen C. Bird is and I congratulate him on this hilarious at times book. It was beautifully crafted in the way that pictures were involved within the writing. The characters were developed well but the reason it fell short of its rating is because it feels at times that you are suddenly thrown into their lives which can honestly be bizarre and confusing to some. I would recommend this book to anyone because it wouldn’t hurt to read.
Congrats you read a review that consists of the same amount of words used in the book! If you feel this book is not for you don’t pick it up but if you have the time, totally check it out but be warned, it might not live up to your expectations. For me, I won this book off of GoodReads giveaway from the man himself, Stephen C. Bird and I fully appreciate his generosity for the experience I had with this book.
Congrats you read a review that consists of the same amount of words used in the book! If you feel this book is not for you don’t pick it up but if you have the time, totally check it out but be warned, it might not live up to your expectations. For me, I won this book off of GoodReads giveaway from the man himself, Stephen C. Bird and I fully appreciate his generosity for the experience I had with this book.
December 13, 2012
Whoa. A new classic. So... This is surrealism? I'm not that smart. I read it twice. I underlined parts that I thought were particularly weird, fascinating or I just felt needed to be pondered. It felt like the thing to do. I am amazed by this book. It's not an easy read but worth the effort, if you are a culture vulture and have been bored to tears by contemporary fiction and haven't finished Ulysses...still! I suggest reading "Hideous Exuberance" first, so you "get" the author's style and then you won't be baffled by the unique spelling-mode. Mr. Bird spells words to satirize a certain concept, eg. "Pal-A-Non". Unlike his first novel, the characters are much creepier, current modes of thinking are given much heavier cracks on their true relevance to reality and the author makes references to contemporary culture in "Amurycka Profunda" that makes this an instant classic. No one and nothing is out of reach of Stephen C. Bird's arrow of truth. Then at the end, there is a tiny beam of light. I almost wept. It's a deep investigation of how we perceive life in today's culture, not bland nasty cynicism. It's written by a real writer -- not a blogger or a journalist with an axe to grind. It's about every one of us. If you love amazing writing and new ideas, you will love "Catastrophically Consequential".
July 6, 2012
[2012-05-16] Yay! It's here :-) I've read the first story...bizarre is the first word that springs to mind; in a good way.
[2012-07-06] Finished the book - had a bunch of others to read in between and trying to catch up on reviews.
This book is extremely well written; normally I dislike books with punny spelling (like Terry Prachett) as it makes reading a chore - hard work - for me, rather than the seemless eye-to-internal-screen thing that generally happens for me. However, I didn't have that problem here, I could still see the pictures whilst enjoying the jokes. Occasionally I got the jokes a little late, as I didn't always remember to sound out the words and names when first I encountered them. Several of them had be laughing out loud and meant I had to stop reading to fully appreciate them.
There's a lot of bleakness in this book and some very insightful, skillfully disguised social comment.
Read this - it's definiately worth your time.
Longer review will follow :-)
[2012-07-06] Finished the book - had a bunch of others to read in between and trying to catch up on reviews.
This book is extremely well written; normally I dislike books with punny spelling (like Terry Prachett) as it makes reading a chore - hard work - for me, rather than the seemless eye-to-internal-screen thing that generally happens for me. However, I didn't have that problem here, I could still see the pictures whilst enjoying the jokes. Occasionally I got the jokes a little late, as I didn't always remember to sound out the words and names when first I encountered them. Several of them had be laughing out loud and meant I had to stop reading to fully appreciate them.
There's a lot of bleakness in this book and some very insightful, skillfully disguised social comment.
Read this - it's definiately worth your time.
Longer review will follow :-)
August 3, 2014
Goodreads giveaway book.
It wasn't too bad of a book, but it was really strange and parts of it I like, some I enjoyed much, and others I didn't like so much. It took me a good ways through the book to figure out what was going on and I got confused about some parts. There was parts of the novel that used a different accent and that through me for a loop and took a bit to figure it out and then I was able to read it just fine. The language was so different and I at first didn't like it in the least and then once I got used to it, I was fine with it. I don't really know who to recommend this to because I'm still unsure of what I just read. It was so random and out of the ordinary. I didn't to much care for the last to chapters because they almost didn't fit the book, but putting all of the pieces together, the overall story wasn't so bad.
It wasn't too bad of a book, but it was really strange and parts of it I like, some I enjoyed much, and others I didn't like so much. It took me a good ways through the book to figure out what was going on and I got confused about some parts. There was parts of the novel that used a different accent and that through me for a loop and took a bit to figure it out and then I was able to read it just fine. The language was so different and I at first didn't like it in the least and then once I got used to it, I was fine with it. I don't really know who to recommend this to because I'm still unsure of what I just read. It was so random and out of the ordinary. I didn't to much care for the last to chapters because they almost didn't fit the book, but putting all of the pieces together, the overall story wasn't so bad.
May 21, 2012
This book is a slap in the face satire.
It was interesting, but I think I would have preferred more of Gothra Schvulkopf and much more on the Gooderz and Badderz. I felt like they were topics the merited more exploration in place of some of the more sexual discussions, or even explore the Mannequin Streetwalker, Incestuous Ingrydd, Hermana Morafin and Ethereal relationship further.
Actually, looking at these thoughts, I would have enjoyed this book more had the first half been expanded and the themes found therein explored more deeply instead of shifting focus to the world of Genevieve Piss Pig and Girl from Future.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway, but will look in to the author's prequel-sequel, "Hideous Exuberance", as I have been told it focuses more on the characters I enjoyed the most.
It was interesting, but I think I would have preferred more of Gothra Schvulkopf and much more on the Gooderz and Badderz. I felt like they were topics the merited more exploration in place of some of the more sexual discussions, or even explore the Mannequin Streetwalker, Incestuous Ingrydd, Hermana Morafin and Ethereal relationship further.
Actually, looking at these thoughts, I would have enjoyed this book more had the first half been expanded and the themes found therein explored more deeply instead of shifting focus to the world of Genevieve Piss Pig and Girl from Future.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway, but will look in to the author's prequel-sequel, "Hideous Exuberance", as I have been told it focuses more on the characters I enjoyed the most.
May 28, 2021
What was this?
That should really always be the first line of my 5-star reviews on Goodreads. I love the experience of coming to something and finding the completely unexpected. Cat-Con (my shorthand for the title) was a dark look at darker forces, and an extremely accurate portrayal of modern American "kulture." I tagged this as LGBT, but not because it has great gay characters or storylines. This is the LGBT of sexual rebellion, the dark side of the rainbow flag, the one where the stripes are shame, violence, self-hate, and addiction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short, spectacular, time-travelling, soul-hopping, piss and vomit-filled nightmare jaunt. Feel free to check out my highlighted bits for some samples of the type of writing you are in for if you choose to experience this book.
That should really always be the first line of my 5-star reviews on Goodreads. I love the experience of coming to something and finding the completely unexpected. Cat-Con (my shorthand for the title) was a dark look at darker forces, and an extremely accurate portrayal of modern American "kulture." I tagged this as LGBT, but not because it has great gay characters or storylines. This is the LGBT of sexual rebellion, the dark side of the rainbow flag, the one where the stripes are shame, violence, self-hate, and addiction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short, spectacular, time-travelling, soul-hopping, piss and vomit-filled nightmare jaunt. Feel free to check out my highlighted bits for some samples of the type of writing you are in for if you choose to experience this book.
April 18, 2012
Wow. I am not really sure how I feel about this book. There were parts I liked, some I didn't, and some I just really didn't understand. It took a lot of concentration for me to get thro some of the short stories. I can't say it didn't leave any impact because I do keep thinking about parts of the book in some manner. Some things were shocking and I couldn't belive I was actually reading some of the content. I did like some of the total crazy randoms thrown in. This book is not for everyone. You must have an open mind and not get offended easy. I'm glad I got to read something different than my normal reads. :)
May 9, 2012
I received this book free through Goodreads. I received my copy in the mail and immediately sat down to read it. I thought this would be a fun read but I was terribly wrong. It is dark and that is all I can say politely. It is not humourous at all and I read the reviews of other readers and I question their sanity. The use of profanity just worsens this appalling read and I hope to be a better judge of books when I am selecting my next read.
April 21, 2012
Review copy won on Goodreads.com on 3-22-12.
This is a unique book to say the least. The author definitely creates a new spin on phonics! For the everyday consumer, I do not believe this book will be selected. However, for those with a more eclectic reading base, this book is very interesting. I feel this book will do well in certain niche markets. All in all, not a bad read.
This is a unique book to say the least. The author definitely creates a new spin on phonics! For the everyday consumer, I do not believe this book will be selected. However, for those with a more eclectic reading base, this book is very interesting. I feel this book will do well in certain niche markets. All in all, not a bad read.
April 7, 2012
Reading this book was like watching a Quinten Tarantino film. It's obvious that the creator is talented and puts out a very good product, but in the end you wonder what the point was. I don't recommend this book for the faint of heart but if you're looking for a book that will cause you to continue to think about it for days(or possibly longer) after you've finished it this is your book.
September 18, 2023
Stephen C. Bird's book, "Catastrophically Consequential," was a pretty funny book. I got it on one of the giveaways and am thankful for that. The humor in it is not meant for all people. I think this kind of humor will put many people off, but I wasn't phased by it. This book is good for a read, but it isn't something I would want to get a hard-cover version of for a personal collection that I would read repeatedly. Still, it's good enough and entertaining with a lot of laughs. If you want a book with a decent enough flow and a lot of laughs, then this is the book for you! I thought I had reviewed this book, but sadly it must not have saved it.
December 30, 2023
Dysfunction Surveyed
Stephen C. Bird is a surrealist who has put together this book, “Catastrophically Consequential.”
In it, we meet an aggressive twelve-year-old boy and a Brunette boy; Lord Szczmawg and Gotha Schvulkopf; Gooderz and Badderz; and more.
This book will test your reading skills and your beliefs.
The author tackles such topics such as decapitation, houses exploding, obesity, sadism, incest,etc.
You name it, and the author has probably covered it in this book .
Stephen C. Bird is a surrealist who has put together this book, “Catastrophically Consequential.”
In it, we meet an aggressive twelve-year-old boy and a Brunette boy; Lord Szczmawg and Gotha Schvulkopf; Gooderz and Badderz; and more.
This book will test your reading skills and your beliefs.
The author tackles such topics such as decapitation, houses exploding, obesity, sadism, incest,etc.
You name it, and the author has probably covered it in this book .
June 3, 2017
Steve Bird is back!
Well, he hasn't actually been away. That's just what you say when someone has a new thing coming out.
I'm sorry. I don't mean to imply that Steve Bird has a "thing", or that it's "coming out".
I mean to say that, much like "Bond", "Bird is Back -- and Better than Ever!" That is to say, he's written a new book to follow up on his earlier Hideous Exuberance (reviewed here). I had the opportunity to graze upon its leaves over the weekend. Like the grass over a cesspool, it is vivid, vibrant and virulent, and deceptively so for having been nourished on sewage.
You may think that presages a bad review, but that will mean you don't know me (or Bird) very well. The first law of criticism is Understand what the Artist is Trying to Do...or at the very least, make that attempt. Bird has no desire to be Joe Fiction Guy. This is a Harlequin Romance starring the actual Harlequin -- a demented and cruel prankster who goes around with a slapstick disguised as a sausage and hits people with it for the perverse sake of doing so.
When I say I just "grazed", I mean no aspersion there either. As I mentioned in my last review, elements like plot and character in Bird's writing are subsumed before the God of Immediacy. His riffs and wordplay swallow up all other aspects like choking ivy. It's too dense to plow through. Just as you can't (or shouldn't) fill an iced tea glass to the rim with vodka and chug it down, it's best to take Bird's writing in little sips. Some portions read as though they were written by Gertrude Stein; others as though by Jar-Jar Binks. Many a felicitous phrase leaps out to be savored. A character named "Nancy Nanny Tranny Granny": sounds like Gertrude Stein to me. And calling a character Cindy Cipro? That sounds a lot like John Waters. As for Jar-Jar:
Usns been speakin duh Dumbspeak uh reel long time now, evuh since dey wuz Gooderz an Badderz. Jes so youse know, deah two kinds uh Dumbspeak. Deah dat dats duh Gooderz speak, and deah dat dat duh Badderz speak. Duh Badderz speak uh version dats all murkie twistie kreepie..."
Indeed! Which version will YOU embrace? To make an informed decision, you must acquire the manual.
Well, he hasn't actually been away. That's just what you say when someone has a new thing coming out.
I'm sorry. I don't mean to imply that Steve Bird has a "thing", or that it's "coming out".
I mean to say that, much like "Bond", "Bird is Back -- and Better than Ever!" That is to say, he's written a new book to follow up on his earlier Hideous Exuberance (reviewed here). I had the opportunity to graze upon its leaves over the weekend. Like the grass over a cesspool, it is vivid, vibrant and virulent, and deceptively so for having been nourished on sewage.
You may think that presages a bad review, but that will mean you don't know me (or Bird) very well. The first law of criticism is Understand what the Artist is Trying to Do...or at the very least, make that attempt. Bird has no desire to be Joe Fiction Guy. This is a Harlequin Romance starring the actual Harlequin -- a demented and cruel prankster who goes around with a slapstick disguised as a sausage and hits people with it for the perverse sake of doing so.
When I say I just "grazed", I mean no aspersion there either. As I mentioned in my last review, elements like plot and character in Bird's writing are subsumed before the God of Immediacy. His riffs and wordplay swallow up all other aspects like choking ivy. It's too dense to plow through. Just as you can't (or shouldn't) fill an iced tea glass to the rim with vodka and chug it down, it's best to take Bird's writing in little sips. Some portions read as though they were written by Gertrude Stein; others as though by Jar-Jar Binks. Many a felicitous phrase leaps out to be savored. A character named "Nancy Nanny Tranny Granny": sounds like Gertrude Stein to me. And calling a character Cindy Cipro? That sounds a lot like John Waters. As for Jar-Jar:
Usns been speakin duh Dumbspeak uh reel long time now, evuh since dey wuz Gooderz an Badderz. Jes so youse know, deah two kinds uh Dumbspeak. Deah dat dats duh Gooderz speak, and deah dat dat duh Badderz speak. Duh Badderz speak uh version dats all murkie twistie kreepie..."
Indeed! Which version will YOU embrace? To make an informed decision, you must acquire the manual.
February 24, 2021
I won this book through a giveaway. It was the first book I ever got through the mail and I am extremely excited to have received it.
This is the strangest thing I've ever read.
Here are some quotes from my family members:
"He's the new Dr.Seuss!"
"It's so random. It's all over the place!"
"I don't understand..."
"That's disgusting!"
This book is, as I said, very strange. There is hardly any plot and the characters are all bizarre stereotypes. Each chapter is very different from the last and they don't flow together as a complete story. Well, in places they are loosely connected, and I'm sure if you looked closely at the main themes, they would, but I didn't have the mental stamina for that. However, I think that hidden inside all of the craziness that there is an intelligent social commentary to be found. If you have the desire I think you could easily find meaning in each chapter. When I squinted hard enough I could make out arguments about religion, the Middle East, the environment, capitalism, racism, homophobia, feminism, and much more. I think a psychology student would find this to be an extraordinarily interesting read. I think this book could be used as a sort of analysis of the author's mind. It is very intriguing.
That being said, it is very difficult to read. It's hard to wrap your head around a lot of what's written and in places it's just headache inducing. The use of improper spelling, grammar, and capitalization, while clearly intended, is sometimes hard to follow. I really recommend that you read it aloud with some friends or family. My sister and I had great fun reading some chapters out loud to each other. That, I think, was the best part of this book. The way the bizarreness could make my family laugh as we read out the laughable passages and insane rants.
It was certainly a different experience. I'm not sure if I'd recommend putting yourself through the experience, but I guess that's part of the baffling nature of this book. I'm just not sure. I'm confused. Very, very, VERY, confused.
This is the strangest thing I've ever read.
Here are some quotes from my family members:
"He's the new Dr.Seuss!"
"It's so random. It's all over the place!"
"I don't understand..."
"That's disgusting!"
This book is, as I said, very strange. There is hardly any plot and the characters are all bizarre stereotypes. Each chapter is very different from the last and they don't flow together as a complete story. Well, in places they are loosely connected, and I'm sure if you looked closely at the main themes, they would, but I didn't have the mental stamina for that. However, I think that hidden inside all of the craziness that there is an intelligent social commentary to be found. If you have the desire I think you could easily find meaning in each chapter. When I squinted hard enough I could make out arguments about religion, the Middle East, the environment, capitalism, racism, homophobia, feminism, and much more. I think a psychology student would find this to be an extraordinarily interesting read. I think this book could be used as a sort of analysis of the author's mind. It is very intriguing.
That being said, it is very difficult to read. It's hard to wrap your head around a lot of what's written and in places it's just headache inducing. The use of improper spelling, grammar, and capitalization, while clearly intended, is sometimes hard to follow. I really recommend that you read it aloud with some friends or family. My sister and I had great fun reading some chapters out loud to each other. That, I think, was the best part of this book. The way the bizarreness could make my family laugh as we read out the laughable passages and insane rants.
It was certainly a different experience. I'm not sure if I'd recommend putting yourself through the experience, but I guess that's part of the baffling nature of this book. I'm just not sure. I'm confused. Very, very, VERY, confused.
May 20, 2012
I must preface this review with a few points:
1. I received this book from a contest on this website.
2. This is my first review - anywhere - for a book I've read.
3. I have not read any other book in the genre that this novel is from.
That being said, I will reprint the description from the card enclosed with my complimentary copy:
"Surrealistic, psychedelic, neo-beatnik, character-based collection of thematically unified, dark humourous and satirical short stories; featuring meandering non-linear plots, disturbing inner monologues, imaginary dialects, dream sequences and comical rants."
This is the first book I have read ever with no beginning, middle, and end. You are dropped into the middle of a collection of snapshots of characters lives. While reading, I was trying to determine one style of writing but ended up with hybrids: Douglas Adams meets the Unibomber's manifesto. Charlie Gordon ('Flowers for Algernon') falls into Cyberpunk. Monty Python rescripted via "A Clockwork Orange". '1984' and 'Catch-22' mixed in a blender and poured into a broken goblet. At times, the characters seem to be railing against the elite. Other times, it seems to be a slam against the middle class, saying their existence is meaningless.
This book is for adults only, not just because of the topics touched on but because of some graphic depictions. I have to say that after reading this book, I would not be tempted to search out another by author Stephen Bird. There may be those who would enjoy the chaotic nature and mal-interpretive
approach but I fear that the niche for this novella would be similar to the group that attempts to sync up "The Wizard of Oz" with Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon.
1. I received this book from a contest on this website.
2. This is my first review - anywhere - for a book I've read.
3. I have not read any other book in the genre that this novel is from.
That being said, I will reprint the description from the card enclosed with my complimentary copy:
"Surrealistic, psychedelic, neo-beatnik, character-based collection of thematically unified, dark humourous and satirical short stories; featuring meandering non-linear plots, disturbing inner monologues, imaginary dialects, dream sequences and comical rants."
This is the first book I have read ever with no beginning, middle, and end. You are dropped into the middle of a collection of snapshots of characters lives. While reading, I was trying to determine one style of writing but ended up with hybrids: Douglas Adams meets the Unibomber's manifesto. Charlie Gordon ('Flowers for Algernon') falls into Cyberpunk. Monty Python rescripted via "A Clockwork Orange". '1984' and 'Catch-22' mixed in a blender and poured into a broken goblet. At times, the characters seem to be railing against the elite. Other times, it seems to be a slam against the middle class, saying their existence is meaningless.
This book is for adults only, not just because of the topics touched on but because of some graphic depictions. I have to say that after reading this book, I would not be tempted to search out another by author Stephen Bird. There may be those who would enjoy the chaotic nature and mal-interpretive
approach but I fear that the niche for this novella would be similar to the group that attempts to sync up "The Wizard of Oz" with Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon.
May 1, 2012
I decided to enter a giveaway for this book on GoodReads because I was intrigued by the blurb. I won the book, it arrived at my home, and I put it on my list to read. A week passed before I picked it up to read it. Quite frankly I had forgotten what the book was about. It was an eye opening experience!
Catastrophically Consequential is an extremely twisted, unconventional book of short chapters or stories, I'm not sure which. After the first 3 chapters (or is it stories?), I thought it was about a person with multiple personality disorder, then I thought "Are these related? Are they just meandering mind wanderings of a lunatic?"
It finally made sense when I got to the end of this short book, the author is an author/performer/artist...its the meandering mind wanderings of a lunatic!
A very distinct work, not for people who are looking for the usual written stories that have a plot, characters, beginning and end. Very bizarre, very twisted, very interesting!
I gave it 5 stars because it was amazing, I'm just still not sure if its a good amazing, or a bad amazing!
I won this book on GoodReads
Catastrophically Consequential is an extremely twisted, unconventional book of short chapters or stories, I'm not sure which. After the first 3 chapters (or is it stories?), I thought it was about a person with multiple personality disorder, then I thought "Are these related? Are they just meandering mind wanderings of a lunatic?"
It finally made sense when I got to the end of this short book, the author is an author/performer/artist...its the meandering mind wanderings of a lunatic!
A very distinct work, not for people who are looking for the usual written stories that have a plot, characters, beginning and end. Very bizarre, very twisted, very interesting!
I gave it 5 stars because it was amazing, I'm just still not sure if its a good amazing, or a bad amazing!
I won this book on GoodReads
August 28, 2012
Catastrophically Consequential is not for the faint. Stephen Bird encompasses every stereotype known to man upon which he showers a “catastrophically consequential” outlook to expire his own characters. He stretches through time and space hitting “Amurycka Profunda”, “West Whoreville” all the way to “Doucheyland” in this continual diatribe against…everyone. He uniquely creates the illusion of a utopian “Welt” by illustrating the truly opposite in his book satirically foreshadowing the possible apocalyptic future on the world’s present condition. The author orchestrates a “mélange à trios” between the language he uses, his humor and the subject matter. It isn’t essential to know German in order to read this book but it does add to the humor. For someone who prides herself on her grammar and the written word, I find it refreshing to read a book that genuinely challenges the mind.I wouldn’t have normally picked this book up for its storyline but find that its creativity and uniqueness make it an unusual read that breaks up the monotony of a true daily dilemma between vampires and werewolves.
June 25, 2018
I knew I'd found the right book by one of the very early chapters of Lord Szczmawg, Abstractly Patriarchal and Possibly Feminist Ruler of Sky and Earth, in which there’s a monologue from Gothra Schvulkopf: “I will now descend into the deep meandering aqua rabbit hole of a high contrast landscape dominated by ultra-white birches, to meet the Zalphagamorian, a bronze-colored creature with scaly marbleized hide; and Zauberfeuer, a hedonist resembling the Ghost of Christmas Present.”
When I was halfway through this book I became sad that it was half over.
“Jes so youse know, deah two kinds uh Dumbspeak. Deah dat dats duh Gooderz speak, an deah dat dats duh Badderz speak. … Badderz say dat Gooderz speak duh Dümmersprache, an dat Gooderz be Dümmerf@kkerz! An Gooderz day say duh same thing bout duh Badderz! But worse den bot sides am dem Evilangelists, uh pipple datz alwaysiez mad cuz day alwaysiez gots tuh be worshippin day Jah-Hee-Zeus…Bot Gooderz an Badderz dunt like no Libbeyral, cuz dam Libbeyralz worship duh Hawk Headed-Goddess, Maya Hiyuh Powuh, Lord Szczmawg an udder Druidyck-Wyckan-Pagan mythologistickal gods.”
When I was halfway through this book I became sad that it was half over.
“Jes so youse know, deah two kinds uh Dumbspeak. Deah dat dats duh Gooderz speak, an deah dat dats duh Badderz speak. … Badderz say dat Gooderz speak duh Dümmersprache, an dat Gooderz be Dümmerf@kkerz! An Gooderz day say duh same thing bout duh Badderz! But worse den bot sides am dem Evilangelists, uh pipple datz alwaysiez mad cuz day alwaysiez gots tuh be worshippin day Jah-Hee-Zeus…Bot Gooderz an Badderz dunt like no Libbeyral, cuz dam Libbeyralz worship duh Hawk Headed-Goddess, Maya Hiyuh Powuh, Lord Szczmawg an udder Druidyck-Wyckan-Pagan mythologistickal gods.”
May 1, 2012
This book is really intriguing, each segment is different, most of them are humourous and disturbing.
Firstly I sat and started to read it through and that way I found it hard to get into. After wards i read a chapter at a time inbetween other less demanding books and I found it so much easier to read. This could also be down to the fact I found the slightly longer chapters towards the end to be the most interesting. As well as the fact that these chapters contained the most interesting internal monologue which suited the tone of the writing.
The use of made up language and the general tone reminded me of Kurt Vonnegut, however it felt a little bit overused, as were the fictional and real cultural references.
I would recommend this book if you like Kurt Vonnegut, stream of conscience writing or dark alternative realities/alternative futures and I would recommend reading it like a collection of short stories rather than an interwoven narrative.
Firstly I sat and started to read it through and that way I found it hard to get into. After wards i read a chapter at a time inbetween other less demanding books and I found it so much easier to read. This could also be down to the fact I found the slightly longer chapters towards the end to be the most interesting. As well as the fact that these chapters contained the most interesting internal monologue which suited the tone of the writing.
The use of made up language and the general tone reminded me of Kurt Vonnegut, however it felt a little bit overused, as were the fictional and real cultural references.
I would recommend this book if you like Kurt Vonnegut, stream of conscience writing or dark alternative realities/alternative futures and I would recommend reading it like a collection of short stories rather than an interwoven narrative.
August 23, 2012
This is the second book I have won here on goodreads. It's the second book that I've not been able to finish. Well, let me retract that statement. I could have finished it, seeing as it's around 100 pages long, but I had already had to skip 2 sections already, due to the spelling. The Badderz and Gooderz shit really irritated me. Maybe it's because I live in the armpit of the bible belt and people actually talk like that to me while I'm at work. They AXE me if they can RESERVATE a room (I work in a hotel) and I just can't stand the ignorance. I'm not at all saying that the author is ignorant, I'm sure he's not. But I can't watch True Blood or read books that take place in New Orleans if they're going to be typed the way they talk. I have to deal with that crap enough, I won't willingly subject myself to more of it.
Also, it reminded me of Naked Lunch, which I hated. Maybe I just haven't experimented with the right kinds of drugs to get this type of thing.
Also, it reminded me of Naked Lunch, which I hated. Maybe I just haven't experimented with the right kinds of drugs to get this type of thing.
April 28, 2012
This is a difficult book to read-the question is if you can have the patience and fascination to keep going.
Still ploughing through it myself but not "getting" it. Not to detract from the fact that this is a very twisted and immersive work. Much phonic word play-the author pushes use of language, possibly too far sometimes; the feeling there were too many descriptive words jostling for attention, so many clever word plays needing to be seen. The use of capitals for some parts is perhaps overused. He objectifies most of his subjects to produce a disjointed outside looking in feeling, and disturbing reading.
This is for the reader who can let go and be pulled in to where he takes you. Read some passages out loud and read some in a darkened room with a torch and you may appreciate this more than I could.
Still ploughing through it myself but not "getting" it. Not to detract from the fact that this is a very twisted and immersive work. Much phonic word play-the author pushes use of language, possibly too far sometimes; the feeling there were too many descriptive words jostling for attention, so many clever word plays needing to be seen. The use of capitals for some parts is perhaps overused. He objectifies most of his subjects to produce a disjointed outside looking in feeling, and disturbing reading.
This is for the reader who can let go and be pulled in to where he takes you. Read some passages out loud and read some in a darkened room with a torch and you may appreciate this more than I could.
January 23, 2015
*I received this book free through a good reads giveaway*
I got it a long time ago, read the intro and thought, "If the rest of the book is like this, I am going to hate it." So I put it down for a long long time. I finally decided to give it a shot. I did give it two stars for cleverness. I laughed out loud a couple of times and I thought a lot of the names were fiendishly clever. Now, having said that, I pretty much hated the rest of it. There was one whole chapter where every word is spelled incorrectly and figuring out what some of the words were was a real trial. Not fun. If someone asked me what this book was about, I would have no idea what to say. Absurdist short stories perhaps? I am not sure I would have finished it if it were any longer than it was so kudos on book length. Otherwise, not my thing at all.
I got it a long time ago, read the intro and thought, "If the rest of the book is like this, I am going to hate it." So I put it down for a long long time. I finally decided to give it a shot. I did give it two stars for cleverness. I laughed out loud a couple of times and I thought a lot of the names were fiendishly clever. Now, having said that, I pretty much hated the rest of it. There was one whole chapter where every word is spelled incorrectly and figuring out what some of the words were was a real trial. Not fun. If someone asked me what this book was about, I would have no idea what to say. Absurdist short stories perhaps? I am not sure I would have finished it if it were any longer than it was so kudos on book length. Otherwise, not my thing at all.
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