Political Animal

I really enjoyed this book. It gave me an insiders look at what goes on during a political campaign. I found Ben a endearing progtagonist as he tried to find love and deal with his disllusionment with the political proce

Arnie Schecter is a veteran politico, running for state Senate. Ben Bergin is a lowly speechwriter for Shecter, a very mixed-up twenty-something, who hates his job and has little respect for the candidate. Calliope Berkowitz is Ben's co-worker, the one he falls in lust with. As Ben becomes increasingly disenchanted with the political process, with its horsetrading, lies, endless hours and endless drinking, he has to make a fateful decision. And, clean up his apartment. So, what happens? Does the candidate win? Does the speechwriter ever get his act together? Does the relationship work out? You will just have to read the book to find out. Author David Mizner has actually worked in political campaigns, and seems to know something about the process. The book is entertaining, with moments of raunchy humor and mordant cynicism, but it suffers from too many characters, too much introspection, and too much explaining. The author tells us what is happening and analyzes what is happening, rather than just showing us. So, the characters, though likeable, never become quite believable. Some of the characters seem more like stereotypes than real people. Still, if you can get through the first few chapters, the book eventually picks up speed and becomes an enjoyable light read. If you liked Primary Colors, you will probably enjoy Political Animal as well. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

This book is one of the funniest,and I mean LAUGH OUT LOUD funniest reads I've enjoyed for a long time. Like Michael Moore, whose funny bones chew happily on bitter undigestible politics, David's Mizner's hysterically earthy sense of humor hangs out over all, and transforms even a (quote) "scallion-poop odor" into another opportunity for political heroism.This story of a New York Senate campaign is fictional, but the lies, the libidos, the coffee-spill realism of impossible trade-offs and passionate concern is what makes Political Animal such an emotional purgative, such a gut-splitting laugh. Reading this made it much easier to endure reading George Bush's inaugural speech (So who wrote that,REALLY?) and even to anticipate our next political campaign with a smile. I felt better about everything in my life as soon as I turned the first pages, where Mizner begins by redeeming all middleaged peace-activist women through the grace of one forced in her own honor, to wear a stupid hat and kiss a campaign good-bye. Turns out, it's pretty easy to laugh at the lies, the sleaziness, the false loyalty of the big selfish egos hacking their way towards political power. And if getting what you want politically is almost as good as getting what you want sexually, then you might find yourself surprisingly sated with the brilliant slob Ben Bergin, whose crappy sex and crappy politics both seem pretty normal, even excitingly hopeful and entertaining in their own wet dream ways. Even when this campaign is essentially over, and Mizner's very, very funny sex scenes relieve any lingering cynicism, main character Ben Bergin still has to face idiots whose political insight goes no further than almost genetic faith in (quote) "Boston Tea Party, Patrick Henry, God, Ronald Reagan, God." As a woman, I found this male political and romantic perspective refreshingly icky and authentic,ultimately a turn-on good enough to pass out to any horny political guy in your life. The writing is very clever and fresh, sort of like Carl Hiaasen.

Story of a down-and-out campaign worker struggling with his conscience. Ben Bergin is a speechwriter for a Congressman running for Senate in New York. During the campaign, there's evidence that a black man on death row and scheduled to be the first execution under New York's recently installed capital punishment legislation may in fact be innocent. It becomes a heated campaign issue, and Ben is the only one on the campaign worried about the implications of killing an innocent man. Ben is a burned-out character -- he drinks, never cleans his apartment -- and is hopelessly in love with a coworker. All in all it's a funny, well-written book. Only one chapter is plodding and readers shouldn't give up on the novel because it's early on (a bizarre, pointless conversation with his best friend Ethan). The love interest is also a bit tough to take. She seems capable of turning every conversation into an argument. Also there are a few lines thrown in for shock value, and there's one racial observation in particular that seems a bit over the top. But the writing here is very good. The lead character, even when he's at his cynical worst, is very funny. Beneath the cynicism, there's a compassion and heart that makes the character redeemable.

Very much enjoyed this hilarious 1st novel by Mizner. Definitely worth the read and I am anxious to see his next work!