Fobbit A Novel - BookWyrm

Lou Plummer reviewed Fobbit A Novel by David Abrams

Review of 'Fobbit A Novel' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Brings back with clarity the reason we Americans can't have nice things - our addiction to wars that have become exercises in moving Doritos to the PX for the thousands of American soldiers, most of them trailer dwelling non-combatants like the subject of this novel. Our foreign policy is conducted by people who are good at being in the Army but terrible at solving our often self created problems. This book illustrates that at a micro level.

Shawn Towner reviewed Fobbit A Novel by David Abrams

Review of 'Fobbit A Novel' on 'Storygraph'

3 stars

Much of what I've read about this book compares it to Catch-22, and I can see some similarities, as both books spend time dealing with military bureaucracy. But while Catch-22 depicts an absurdly soul-crushing bureaucratic maze, Fobbit presents a more realistic view of the paperwork and command chains of the military. It's probably closer to The Office or Dilbert than it is to Catch-22. Because of this realistic bent, the book is just as much infuriating as it is funny. While we can laugh at the incompetent antics of Michael Scott or the PHB because they don't have real influence over people's lives. But with characters like Shrinkle in Fobbit, we see that comic incompetence result in unnecessary death and destruction. It's a weird read. I wouldn't say it's a great book--it's certainly not up to the level of Catch-22, The Things They Carried, or Going After Caciatto--but it's an …

Much of what I've read about this book compares it to Catch-22, and I can see some similarities, as both books spend time dealing with military bureaucracy. But while Catch-22 depicts an absurdly soul-crushing bureaucratic maze, Fobbit presents a more realistic view of the paperwork and command chains of the military. It's probably closer to The Office or Dilbert than it is to Catch-22. Because of this realistic bent, the book is just as much infuriating as it is funny. While we can laugh at the incompetent antics of Michael Scott or the PHB because they don't have real influence over people's lives. But with characters like Shrinkle in Fobbit, we see that comic incompetence result in unnecessary death and destruction. It's a weird read. I wouldn't say it's a great book--it's certainly not up to the level of Catch-22, The Things They Carried, or Going After Caciatto--but it's an important book.

YoursTrulee

rated it

Jan. 21, 2013