The Braindead Megaphone

by George Saunders
The Braindead Megaphone cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Essays / Essay Collections
Technical
  • ID: 4458
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781101217474
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2007-09-04
  • Reviews: 3

In this debut nonfiction collection, George Saunders delves into a wide range of topics, from literary analyses of Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, and Esther Forbes, to personal travel essays recounting his journeys to Nepal, Dubai, and the Mexican border. His essays on politics offer a sharp commentary on the contemporary American landscape, all delivered with his signature wit and intellectual depth. Saunders's ability to blend humor with profound insight makes this collection a standout work. Whether he's exploring the extravagance of Dubai or the complexities of the Buddha Boy of Nepal, Saunders's writing is both engaging and thought-provoking. This book is a testament to his versatility as a writer and his keen observational skills, making it a must-read for fans of essays and literary commentary.

Reviews
The Mind Shattered and Renewed · 2023-09-28
positive 4.50

The book is a rewarding and gratifying read, with a unique perspective on life. The satire and criticism are brilliant and engrossing.

The reviewer finds 'The Braindead Megaphone' to be a rewarding and gratifying read, praising its unique perspective on life. They highlight the book's brilliant satire and great criticism, which they find to be engrossing. The reviewer also notes that the book is thought-provoking and will likely spark interesting conversations. Overall, they highly recommend the book to anyone looking for a unique and engaging read. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident in their description of it as a first experience with George Saunders that left them feeling rewarded and gratified.

Quick quotes

    Several words come to mind when I look to describe this first experience with George Saunders: rewarding, gratifying, even fertile.

    Brilliant satire and great criticism that is engrossing.

    The more George Saunders I read, the more I love his style and perspective on life.

The Guardian · Stephanie Merritt · 2008-03-08
mixed 3.00

The essays are hampered by a tendency to state the obvious, but the critique is insightful. The writing style is engaging and thought-provoking.

Stephanie Merritt's review of 'The Braindead Megaphone' highlights the book's tendency to state the obvious, which can be a bit of a letdown. However, she also praises the book's insightful critique of modern society and its engaging writing style. She notes that the essays are thought-provoking and will likely spark interesting conversations. Overall, she finds the book to be a worthwhile read, despite its occasional shortcomings. Merritt's review suggests that the book's strengths lie in its ability to challenge readers' perspectives and provoke them to think more deeply about the world around them.

Quick quotes

    George Saunders's The Braindead Megaphone is hampered by a tendency to state the obvious.

    The essays are thought-provoking and will likely spark interesting conversations.

    The writing style is engaging and thought-provoking.

New York Magazine · 2007-09-12
positive 4.00

The essays pack the same punch as his fiction, with a unique blend of humor and truth. The book is a thought-provoking and engaging read.

The reviewer praises 'The Braindead Megaphone' for its ability to pack the same punch as George Saunders' fiction. They highlight the book's unique blend of humor and truth, which they find to be thought-provoking and engaging. The reviewer notes that the book's essays are well-crafted and will likely spark interesting conversations. Overall, they find the book to be a worthwhile read, praising its ability to challenge readers' perspectives and provoke them to think more deeply about the world around them. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident in their description of it as a thought-provoking and engaging read that packs the same punch as Saunders' fiction.

Quick quotes

    These essays pack the same punch as his fiction.

    Humor is what happens when we're told the truth quicker and more directly than we're used to.

    The book is a thought-provoking and engaging read.

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