In paperback for the first time, the much-beloved satirical novel The New York Times praised as "both a treatise and a romp"
Baby Ralph has ways to pass the time in his crib-but they don't include staring at a mobile. Aided by his mother, he reads voraciously: "All of Swift, all of Sterne, Invisible Man, Baldwin, Joyce, Balzac, Auden, Roethke," along with a generous helping of philosophy, semiotics, and trashy thrillers. He's also fond of writing poems and stories (in crayon). But Ralph has limits. He's mute by choice and can't drive, so in his own estimation he's not a genius. Unfortunately for him, everyone else disagrees. His psychiatrist kidnaps him for testing, and once his brilliance is quantified (IQ: 475), a Pentagon officer also abducts him. Diabolically funny and lacerating in its critique of poststructuralism, Glyph has the feverish plot of a thriller and the philosophical depth of a text by Roland Barthes. If anyone can map the wilds of literary theory, it's Ralph, one of Percival Everett's most enduring creations.
Industry Reviews
"Everett is one of the most gifted and versatile of contemporary writers . . . His work takes hold of us and won't let go." --Alan Cheuse, NPR
"Everett [is] a scandalously under-recognized contemporary master." --The Wall Street Journal
"A mischievous and very funny satire on poststructuralist thought and literary 'theory.'" --The Guardian (London) Everett is one of the most gifted and versatile of contemporary writers . . . His work takes hold of us and won't let go. "Alan Cheuse, NPR"
Everett [is] a scandalously under-recognized contemporary master. "The Wall Street Journal"
A mischievous and very funny satire on poststructuralist thought and literary theory.' "The Guardian (London)"" "Everett is one of the most gifted and versatile of contemporary writers . . . His work takes hold of us and won't let go." --Alan Cheuse, NPR
"Everett [is] a scandalously under-recognized contemporary master." --"The Wall Street Journal
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"A mischievous and very funny satire on poststructuralist thought and literary 'theory.'" --"The Guardian" (London) ""Glyph" is an answer-- and an antidote-- to not only what ails the Academy, but what ails a society without the self-knowledge to satirize itself. Percival Everett's infant genius protagonist vaults out of the playpen like Voltaire in flaming diapers-- to dispatch Theory's charlatans, kidnappers and con men in this brilliantly, wildly parodic romp. Deconstruct THIS!!!"--Carol Muske-Dukes
"I think Percival Everett is a genius. I've been a fan since his first novel. He continues to amaze me with each novel-- as if he likes making 90 degree turns to see what's around the corner, and then over the edge. I think he has a following, but not large enough. He's a brilliant writer and so damn smart I envy him."--Terry McMillan ""Glyph is an answer-- and an antidote-- to not only what ails the Academy, but what ails a society without the self-knowledge to satirize itself. Percival Everett's infant genius protagonist vaults out of the playpen like Voltaire in flaming diapers-- to dispatch Theory's charlatans, kidnappers and con men in this brilliantly, wildly parodic romp. Deconstruct THIS!!!"--Carol Muske-Dukes
"I think Percival Everett is a genius. I've been a fan since his first novel. He continues to amaze me with each novel-- as if he likes making 90 degree turns to see what's around the corner, and then over the edge. I think he has a following, but not large enough. He's a brilliant writer and so damn smart I envy him."--Terry McMillan
