After months straight of reading nothing but play submissions, I picked up Simon Rich’s new collection The Last Girlfriend on Earth and was re-introduced to the witty clip of Rich’s style. I read “Unprotected” about a year ago when it came out in The New Yorker and I’m very glad that I read it ag...
A very funny look at what happens when God decides to resign (to open an Asian-American fusion restaurant) and destroy Earth. It is up to two Angels from the Miracles Department (Craig and Eliza) to save the world...can they do it?I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It made me laugh out loud many ti...
If Chuck Palahniuk was hired to give a final polish on a John Hughes film, the result would be Elliot Allagash. A stinging indictment of wealth, power and privilege deftly interwoven with the classic, "I bet I can make the least popular kid in school the most popular" trope. There are some reall...
In Elliot Allagash, Rich has created a fascinating, compelling, bewildering -- even tragic -- character. The book focuses on the relationship between Elliot and the first-person narrator, Seymour Herson. In many ways, Elliot embodies that figure we all wish we knew during our awkward middle and h...
In Ant Farm, former Harvard Lampoon president Simon Rich finds humor in some very surprising places. Armed with a sharp eye for the absurd and an overwhelming sense of doom, Rich explores the ridiculousness of our everyday lives. The world, he concludes, is a hopelessly terrifying place–with endl...
“I have decided to give you a test,” he said. “Whoever proves himself to be the wisest shall inherit my fortune.” “Oh my God,” the eldest son said. “I had no idea you were sick.” “Here is my test,” the old man said. “Go to the market and bring me back an item which is small enough to fit in my po...
He was walking toward his limousine, shouting orders into his cell phone. A slovenly boy in baggy jeans and a wifebeater shuffled along beside him. I wasn’t going to say hello, but Ashley called out his name. Elliot looked up, swallowed, and closed his cell phone. “Well,” he said. I followed Ashl...
“An extension? Out of the question.” “Just an extra month!” Craig pleaded. “We’re so close. We arranged a Chance Encounter recently—there was definite chemistry between the humans. If we could just get them together one more time—” “They had a chance and they screwed it up,” God said. “Why don’t ...