‘IQ84’ by Mike Dickenson

IQ84

A terrorist releases a biological weapon attacking anyone unfortunate enough to be smarter than the average bear. Such people are rewarded with an exploding head, which, apart from anything else, makes an awful mess at the mall. When David Dingle (who isn’t all that bright), finds himself targeted as the perpetrator of these activities, he and his flatmate Jerry take to the road in an effort to discover what the hell’s going on. With a supporting cast including a cocktail waitress, a jihadist, a dodgy doctor and an FBI agent named Boring, the chase is never, well, boring.

This is not a book for folks who are easily offended. With language and dialogue likely to upset just about everyone on some level, Mike Dickenson’s satire on American politics and culture is far removed from the politically correct. While it’s by turns deliciously funny, clever and occasionally thought-provoking, it’s also idiotic, farcical and ironic. The plot culminates at the Whitehouse as the main characters (and a few extra ones) turn up for the showdown. I must admit to enjoying the denouement, particularly as I’d had one or two doubts along the way that the whole thing might just tail off.

The madcap humour reminded me a lot of the Spencer Tracy movie ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’, with an extra dose of Mad. If you love zany, and aren’t too worried about emotional depth, this’ll be right up your terroristic street.