The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil

The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil by George Saunders is a book that cannot be categorized. It is a dystopian novella, a science fiction read, a satirical take on our times, the 21stcentury Animal Farm in a way, and perhaps more.Written in 2006, almost fourteen years ago, this novella is still so frighteningly prescient. We are living it in a way, in almost every country. Most countries of the world today have their own Phil, and their reign isn’t brief.The country in the book is called Inner Horner, large enough for only one resident at a time. There are citizens who wait to gain entry, and these citizens fall under the rule of the despot Phil, which further leads to mass chaos and hysteria.The novella is funny (intentionally I guess, at the same time making you see the mirror), dark, and in no way, you will not think about it after you’re done. The so-called people in the story are human in their actions, but maybe not in their appearance. They resemble machines, so maybe Saunders is making multiple points at the same time.The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil is for sure a quick read and a political allegory that we are perhaps a part of without realizing it. It is the kind of book that will jolt you a bit and makes you also look at the on-goings in the book from a distance by removing the human element. It is a book that delivers its message if you want to see it. Coupled with some lucid illustrations, this book blends the elements of the surreal and fantastical with great ease, making for a highly introspective read.

Short and interesting read.Relevant in the background of current political scenarios in most countries. So it was as real as it was dystopia.In the end - Phil was just forgotten. What an end to the dictator.Most of all, I loved Phil's speech. Big words strung together to make it sound coherent, to attract mass appeal, but in reality, being nothing but just words. Now, who talks that way? ( your guess as good as mine!)Wonder why this book isn't more popular.Definitely recommend this to anyone who likes satire/ politics.

This is a stunning short story collection, and although it was written a few years ago it's incredibly relevant to today's politics, particularly in the states. There are some real thought provoking tales in here, and while it doesn't have the emotional impact of some of Saunders' work (such as Tenth of December), it's a masterful collection by a truly great writer, and will leave you thinking for days. I recommend reading a story at a time - ie reading one, then something else, then going back to the collection - to really appreciate the impact.

Always fascinated by the forms short stories take and Saunders Is certainly a radical short story writer but it's so hard to really engage with these tales-funny in parts,tragic in parts-compulsive reading,no.....

If anyone can magically suspend ones disbelief Saunders can. One could rack ones brain to find a better read.

This book took its place amongst my list of favourite books. I recommend it to everyone who loves Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Inner Horner ist so klein, dass immer nur einer der Einwohner gleichzeitig darin Platz findet. Die anderen fünf Einwohner müssen im Grenzgebiet zum viel größeren Outer Horner warten, dass sie auch einmal ins Land dürfen. Als dann Inner Horner geologisch noch ein bisschen schrumpft und kein Bewohner Inner Horners mehr ganz hereinpasst, beschließt Phil, ein verbitterter Outer-Hornianer, Steuern für das Herumstehen im Grenzgebiet zu erheben. Die Lage eskaliert...Man merkt schon: Die Geschichte ist ziemlich abgefahren. Und sie ist eine böse Satire auf Grenzpolitik, die langsam immer mehr in Schikane eskaliert. In einigen Rezensionen wurde die Geschichte mit Farm der Tiere verglichen, aber das hängt diese Geschichte zu hoch. Sie ist wirklich nett, aber von der bizarren Welt und dem sehr typischen Tonfall des Autoren abgesehen, bietet sie keine wirklich neuen Ideen. Sie ist aber eine angenehme Leselektüre - die mit etwa 120 Seiten aber auch sehr kurz ist und an einem Nachmittag durchgelesen ist.Eine ebook-Ausgabe (zum Zeitpunkt dieser Rezension sogar die günstigere) einhält noch die Kurzgeschichtensammlung "In Persuasion Nation". Die Kurzgeschichten da sind logischerweise noch kürzer, unabhängig voneinander und haben nichts weiter mit der Titelgeschichte zu tun. Sie sind ganz nette, satirische Beschäftigungen mit den Amerikanischen Medien. Nett als Dreingabe, aber nicht mehr.