Saturday 14 May 2011

Our Dumb World by The Onion

From The Week of October 31, 2010


As a loyal reader of The Onion, the hilarious website of political and cultural satire, Our Dumb World was, for me, a must-have. Modelled on an atlas, this collection of scathing primers for our world's most noteworthy nations hacks its way through its readers' delicate sensibilities, leaving no sore spot unprobed in its quest to bring to light the sum total of the world's faults and hypocrisies. There are almost no weak spots here, with highlights including the entries for America and the Democratic Republic of The Congo, the latter of which had me on the floor for a good 30 seconds.

We all, at times, take ourselves far too seriously. I, for one, am grateful to have The Onion around to bring me back to the festering cesspool that is the world we've made. This is a wonderful read for one not easily offended. Consequently, for those of you who find yourselves touchy on the question of national identity, steer clear, or else risk combustion. (3/5 Stars)

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