American Weather
By (Author) Charles McLeod
Vintage Publishing
Vintage
1st August 2012
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
813.6
Paperback
304
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 18mm
217g
A remorselessly funny and savage take-down of modern America by an abundantly talented new writer. Meet Jim Haskin. He's forty years old. He's worth around thirty-five million. He runs his own San Francisco ad firm, American Weather. AmWe's image is green and forward-looking- if your product is upcycled, or hydro or vegan, they'll make you an ad. However, behind the scenes, Jim supports the old captains of American industry- bleach, beer, guns. One day Jim is asked to come up with something extra-special. The scheme he devises brings together a Death Row inmate, pay-per-view television, and most of America's largest corporations. Everything is set for it to be his greatest achievement yet.
A strident satire on the American-dream-turned-nightmare... The writing is sharp and clever * Guardian *
Charles McLeods writing is very special...crisp and rhythmical, sometimes almost poetic... Bright and sparky -- William Leith * Evening Standard *
A strong, original voice and sharp wit * Irish Examiner *
Raucous, so original... Stunningly good writing... Scorching humour -- Eleanor Henderson, author of 'Ten Thousand Saints'
This is a wonderfully wicked book that has the potential to impress or offend, depending on your sensibilities. Its like nothing else Ive read this year, and Jim is such a hideously lovable rogue that even with all his bad behaviour, I couldnt help but think hed be a great person to have in your circle of friends * Bookbag *
Charles McLeod's fiction has appeared in publications including Conjunctions, DOSSIER, Five Chapters, The Gettysburg Review, The Iowa Review, The Pushcart Prize- Best of the Small Presses, and on Salon. A Hoyns Fellow at the University of Virginia, he has also received fellowships from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and San Jose State University, where he was a Steinbeck Fellow.