Posted on 02/25/2008 7:22:55 AM PST by Clint N. Suhks
LONDON (Reuters) - They may not leap off the shelves into the best-seller category, but the books shortlisted for the oddest book title prize certainly grab the attention.
"I was Tortured by the Pygmy Love Queen" recounts the tale of a fictional U.S. World War Two fighter pilot who is captured by jungle pygmies led by a sadistic woman.
Its sequel, which is not on the shortlist released by trade publication The Bookseller (www.thebookseller.com) Friday, needs no explanation: "Go Ahead, Woman, Do Your Worst."
"How to Write a How to Write Book" and "Cheese Problems Solved" are likewise self-explanatory as is the equally eclectic niche tome "People who Mattered in Southend and Beyond: From King Canute to Dr. Feelgood" that strives to put the English east coast resort on the map.
While none of the above may challenge the sensibilities too much, others are likely to prove more divisive. Try "If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs" or "Are Women Human? And other International Dialogues."
"I confess: I have been anxious that as publishing becomes ever more corporate, the trade's quirky charms are being squeezed out," said Horace Bent, The Bookseller diarist and custodian of the prize.
"But happily my fears have been proved unfounded: oddity lives on. Drawing up the six-strong shortlist was a fraught and wildly controversial process."
Bent paid tribute to those books that failed to make the list, including titles such as "Drawing and Painting the Undead" and "Glory Remembered: Wooden Headgear of Alaska Sea Hunters," wishing them better luck next year.
Literary enthusiasts wishing to cast a vote can visit the Web site. The winner will be announced on March 28.
“I was Tortured by the Pygmy Love Queen”
I thought that happened to Laz. He used to brag about it.
Shouldn’t the title should be “Are Wymyn Humyn?”.
That's nothing to wine about.
Not quite.
I mean, how can it be torture if I begged for it?
Y'see.
This is a rare fictional entry for the Diagram Prize. The novel stars Captain Henry Mitchell, a US Navy fighter pilot who is forced to abandon his Grumman after battling Japanese Zeros over the Pacific. "Parachuting into rainforest canopy, Mitchell is greeted by a lost tribe of pygmies and their insanely cruel leader, a female; a Caucasian westerner like himself who subjects him to unholy tortures both painful and erotic . . . One strong man, stripped naked, bound and helpless, versus one female tyrant and her legion of little devils—who will win this battle?" Mr McCutcheon’s follow-up novel is just out: Go Ahead, Woman, Do Your Worst! Erotic Tales of Heroes Chained. Spotted by Emma Jepson of Borders UK"
I...I..might be interested in this book.
If she said "No"?
“Cheese Problems Solved”
I have never met a cheese that has given me the least bit of trouble. Well, sometimes my Green Bay Packers Cheesehead Bra chafes a little if it’s really hot out. *SHRUG*
“Are Women Human?”
Anyone who can answer this question gets my vote for President.
According to algore in the 1992 election, “We cannot have dangerous criminals running around scaring women and people.”
And yes, that is a quote.
Hahahaha! I see you've met Laz...
ping!
They must be from Venus?
Personally, it makes more sense to have an Amazon Love Queen, and a Pygmie Love Slave. Do the calculus.
>> cheesehead bra <<
... but you wear it like Anthony Micheal Hall in Wierd Science, right?
Funny Ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
