Description
Book SynopsisThe Agony and the Eggplant is the first book-length study of author, illustrator, and radio personality, Daniel Pinkwater. Pinkwater began writing and illustrating children''s books in 1970 and has been a prolific author for three decades. He has written over 70 books altogether: more than fifty picture books, a dozen books for middle-grade or intermediate readers, half a dozen books for adolescents, an adult novel, and several books of nonfiction. Pinkwater is a humorist, and many of his stories involve science fiction or fantasy themes. He is often compared with Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut; his style is often likened to Monty Python and Mad magazine. Pinkwater''s fiction has often been described as wacky and zany; The Agony and the Eggplant will go beyond those cliches to place Pinkwater as a classical satirist, an American humorist, and a master of children''s literature. Sprinkled with quotes and observations from Pinkwater, Hogan gives us a highly entertaining look at the man
Trade ReviewHogan does an admirable job of getting behind the humor, zany remarks, and fabrications of Pinkwater. He includes sufficient biographical information, but the most important part of the book is the evaluation/criticism of his subject's work...Hogan skillfully combines critical comments and allows the creativity and genius of his subject to shine forth...This well-researched and well-footnoted volume offers librarians new insight into this popular author's work. * School Library Journal *
If you like or collect Pinkwater, Hogan's book is for you. * Library Review *
...rare funny and fascinating... * VOYA *
As entertaining as the works of this tongue-in-cheek-author...This title should be in all secondary libraries, as should Pinkwater's philosophy, "Think for yourself, educate yourself, form you own opinions, and don't let the 'experts' tell you what when or how to think." * Catholic Library World *
Any high school student who must do a report on an author, will find this book an engaging and enjoyable resource. Highly recommended. * The Book Report *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 The Life of the Master Chapter 2 Three Decades of Fabulous Picture Books Chapter 3 Seven Stories Chapter 4 Four Expeditions Chapter 5 Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars Chapter 6 The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death Chapter 7 The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror Chapter 8 Young Adult Novel Chapter 9 Young Adults Chapter 10 The Education of Robert Nifkin Chapter 11 Menippus, Keats, Pinkwater, and the "Big A"
