By: Christopher Buckley Publisher: Twelve Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Twelve Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 336 Publication Date: May 16, 2008
Product Description: BOOMSDAY'S heroine is Cassandra Devine, a charismatic 29-year-old blogger who incites massive political turmoil when, outraged over mounting Social Security debt, she politely suggests that Baby Boomers be given government incentives to kill themselves by age 75. Her modest proposal catches fire with millions of her outraged peers ("Generation Whatever") and an ambitious Senator seeking to gain the youth vote in his presidential campaign. With the help of Washington's greatest spin doctor, the blogger and the politician try to ride the issue of euthanasia for Boomers (they call it "Transitioning") all the way to the White House, over the forceful objections of the Religious Right and, of course, Baby Boomers, who are deeply offended by demonstrations on the golf courses of their retirement resorts.
Killing yourself for the good of your country Will the financial security of the US government depend on a large chunk of its citizenry killing themselves?
My only experience with Buckley before this was seeing the film "Thank You For Smoking." That was enough. I picked up this book on a whim, and it contained even more quick witted cynicism and pitch dark satire than I could have dreamed.
Buckley starts "Boomsday" realistically enough, and as he introduces more elements of quasi draconian politics, the plot spirals out of control and becomes patently absurd. But the best part about it is that somehow, it still seems like all of it could actually happen, which is both scary and hilarious.
The sharp dialogue reminded me of Aaron Sorkin's "The West Wing," only everyone is a lot more pessimistic and sardonic. I imagine Sorkin and Buckley to be like the tiny angel and demon consciences from 90s tv shows on each shoulder, except instead of telling me what to do, they are explaining US politics to me in humorous anecdotes and complicated vocabulary.
"Boomsday" is easily one of the most enjoyable books I've read this year.
Thoroughly enjoyed it! I Just finished it and thoroughly enjoyed it. The same author of "Thank You for Smoking" wrote this and as expected, Christopher Buckley's writing style is witty, acerbic and full of irony. The protagonist is Cassandra Devine, a PR spin-doctor by day, incensed blogger by night. Angered by the burden posed upon her generation by the social security system, she proposes, a very Swift-like solution. Dubbled, "Voluntary Transitioning" program, it purports to alleviate the social security debt by rewarding people to commit suicide when they reach the age of 65 (if you are a closet geek like me, you'd remember a "Sliders" episode that featured the same concept). This page-turner made me laugh out loud. Although it got a bit long towards the end, I highly recommend it.
Very entertaining... I enjoyed BOOMSDAY quite a bit. This is political satire at it's best. It provides a lot of laughs, and as ridiculous as some of the scenarios in the book seem, no doubt things like this go on everyday.
I do agree with other reviewers who say that the ending was a bit anti-climatic. Although I don't have a problem with the ending in general, I definitely expected something more. Still, all in all, a very entertaining book.
Savage satire on Social Security Baby Boomers are defined as people (particularly Americans) born between 1946 and 1964, an era when post-WWII and Depression optimism would result in an unusually high amount of births. As of this writing, the oldest Baby Boomers are turning 62 and beginning to qualify for Social Security. As the years go by, the Social Security system will be burdened like never before. Economically, if not dealt with, it could be doomsday, or as Christopher Buckley calls it in his sharp satire, Boomsday.
The near-future United States of Buckley's novel is a country with problems: the economy is seriously floundering and the military is stretched to the point that small countries are declaring war with the U.S. just because they can get away with it. Adding to all this, Baby Boomers are demanding their Social Security payments, leading to a heavy tax burden on younger adults. Cassandra Devine, a public relations wizard by day, runs a blog in her off-hours dedicated to this problem.
At first, her followers indulge in minor rebellions such as destroying golf courses, but soon they are endorsing her modest proposal. With the proper tax breaks, if a portion of the Boomers can be convinced to commit suicide at age 70, the financial crisis will be averted. At first this is considered a nutty idea, but then Cass's friend, the Kennedyesque Senator Randy Jepperson embraces the idea as his opportunity to make it to the Oval Office. Of course, there are plenty of opponents, from the current President to a right-to-life minister to Cass's own estranged father.
As with the best satire, Boomstown is as thought-provoking as it is funny. While few would embrace Cass's solution (even she doesn't; she is really just trying to create debate), it does promote an awareness of a problem in a way that dry economic reports and empty political slogans come short. But most importantly, Boomstown is fun to read. And by succeeding at that level, any provoking-of-thought is a pure bonus.
It's all going to blow up Buckley writes only half tongue in cheek. No, I don't think he advocates the early death of our senior citizens but he does think that the party will end soon. He is probably trying to goad us to think before (once again) we wait until crisis stage has been reached before addressing the problem. I loved the characters - saucy, sassy, sexy, spunky Cassandra Devine (that name!), the opportunistic Senator and the fumbling, bumbling but ultimately happy Reverend.
Once again, the dialogue is perfect, spot on. The hypocricy of politics is given full coverate, front and center. The Prez typifies this in all his bluster, anger, crass political thinking and that great scene where he cusses like a sailor as the preacher stands there. The story is an easy read and has it all from religion to economics to politics to love. By the end, the reader knows that nothing will be accomplished except band aids. We'll hold on desperately, delaying the inevitable until the whole thing becomes so overweighted it will crash around our heads and THEN that's when it gets interesting. Someone has calculated that my kids would have to pay almost 50% of their income in SS to keep the thing afloat. Good luck, boys, and kudos to Buckley for another witty, irreverant tale.
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