Review: The Bleaklisted Books by David M Brown & Donna Brown

The Bleaklisted Books is a sarcastic and original book that tells how one cat really feels about literary masterpieces.

Charlie, the cat, decides to become a book critic to determine which books should be bleaklisted. What does bleaklisted mean? According to the introduction, “Bleaklisting is simply an offshoot of the well-known word ‘blacklisting.’” Charlie, who thinks he’s as powerful as Napoleon Bonaparte, doesn’t really like books and he really dislikes books that don’t feature him. Nevertheless, he reads many of the “great” books and renders his verdict. This volume includes twenty-five books that Charlie has decided should be bleaklisted. David Brown writes: What follows is the ramblings of a disturbed mind; it is utter nonsense that will either blow your mind or leave you questioning the very fibres of your being.

For each book, Charlie states what happens in the book, his reason for bleaklisting it, he provides what should have happened, special instructions on how to market his version, Mr. Brown compares the original to Charlie’s version, and then an alternative cover is provided. Each section is short, but not short on derision. Charlie is arrogant, self-absorbed, and needy. He’s your typical cat who believes he should be the supreme ruler. Cat lovers will find his sarcasm humorous and literature lovers may find his opinions funny, even if they don’t agree. Charlie really doesn’t hold back.

This would be a fantastic book to read if one is currently studying literature and is tired of hearing why a certain book is so great. Not everyone loves the “great” books and some may appreciate Charlie’s approach to these books. He can be brutally honest, and his ego shines through.

What is amazing is the authors’ ability to maintain Charlie’s voice throughout the book. To add to the “authenticity” the authors decided to leave Charlie’s misspelled words. Even though Charlie thinks he’s brilliant, he really isn’t. But that doesn’t stop him from being opinionated.

While this book is clever and entertaining, this niche book is not for everyone. Charlie’s senseless attitude may surprise many and his negativity might offend others. However, many other readers may find his views refreshing. It’s best to read the book in small doses. Enjoy an excerpt here and there to keep it fresh. Also, if you haven’t read a certain book, you may want to hold off reading Charlie’s opinion since it may turn you off from the book right from the start. And I wouldn’t recommend using this book to cram for any literature tests. Most of the time, Charlie is completely wrong about what a book is actually about.

The best part of this book is Charlie. He’s so sure of himself, even when he sounds like an uneducated buffoon. This really adds a dose of humor. For example, when evaluating The Pilgrim’s Progress he states: All that walking, and for what? Does the pilgrim not at least get a burger on his arduous journey? If you like cats and a twisted sense of humor, give this one a try. It’s different and Charlie is charming, in a weird way.

Links
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