Resume with Monsters

This achingly funny book introduces the idea that America's corporations are actually run by H.P. Lovecraft monsters...it makes perfect sense to me. The author's view of corporate culture is dead-on accurate, and behind the laughs, there is real anger at the utter dehumanization of the contemporary workplace, and at the weakness of American workers who have allowed themselves to be turned into corporate fodder. In its own nutty way, this is a very important book.

H.P. Lovecraft always intended his Cthulu mythos to live through other authors' pens. If Lovecraft were alive today he would certainly find William Spencer Browning's treatment most entertaining. In "Resume with Monsters," Browning artfully welds together the infinite horrors of Lovecraft's Old Ones with the modern banalities of life in the corporate world. The result is a book loaded with hilarious dialogue, humorous scenes, and a good deal of light horror.Philip has a big problem. He sees monsters at work, behind every filing cabinet, around every corner, in the eyes of his fellow co-workers, and in motivational pamphlets handed out in his paycheck envelope. In order to maintain his slipping sanity, Philip spends his free time constantly rewriting his sprawling 2000 page book called "The Despicable Quest," a Lovecraftian tome full of references to Azathoth, Yog-Sathoth, and other unpleasant beings from beyond space and time. Philip is aware that spouting off about monsters from dimensions beyond our own tends to alarm people, which brings in Lily, an aging psychologist who promises Philip she can help him through his troubles.Philip probably would not have many problems with his demons if he gave up trying to save his ex-girlfriend Amelia. Philip's relentless quest to expose the monsters coupled with the undying devotion to his book infuriated Amelia, spurring a rancorous split. When she moves to Texas Philip follows her, desperate to convince Amelia that he once saved her from eternal doom when the two worked at MicroMeg, a giant international corporation (the details of which can be found in the section of the book hilariously entitled, "The Doom that Came to MicroMeg). Philip drifts from one low paying job to another, always on the lookout for the reemergence of the evil ones. Not only does Philip see potential evil at his own jobs, there seems to be something seriously astray at Pelidyne, a big company where Amelia just started a new job. It looks like Philip will have to return once again into the belly of the beast.Spencer really has a grasp of Lovecraft's horrific intentions. His style does not reflect Lovecraft's ornate use of the English language, but many of the adventures Philip embarks on mirror a trip through a Lovecraft novel: the weird bending of time and space, the strange rituals of the Old Ones, and the feeling of helplessness one gets when confronting an evil beyond the comprehension of the human mind. I suspect there is a lot of the author in this story. My copy has a painting on the front cover of a man who looks suspiciously like the picture of Browning on the back cover. The detailed descriptions of corporate stupidity and the shrieking mindlessness of working a low paying job tell me that the author spent many years working in the same type of jobs as Philip does in the novel. Anyone who has ever worked in a boring job with high pressure jerks as bosses will recognize and sympathize with Philip's plight. Ultimately, that

William Browning Spencer is one of names I constantly look for at bookstores. If your lucky enough to stumble accross one of his books, grab it up quickly and begin the reading feast. With RESUME WITH MONSTERS, you will find yourself swept away in a fantasticly clever story. Its such a good read you will have it done in one or two nights. He writes the type of books where you think "Oh I'll read just a few pages before bed", and you end up reading till 4a.m. I strongly recommend all of his books.

William Browning Spencer writes the type of book, that you pick up for some "light reading before you go to bed" and end up reading till 4a.m. Much like its predecessor Zod Wallop it is a very easy read. I found myself dissapointed when I finished because its so hard to find a writer that is so hypnotic so enjoyable. I swear you will read this book in one or two nights. I just wish there were more works by Specer. If your looking for a new author, look no further. Enjoy!

This wry satire is definately worth a read. Throughout the story you're strung along a surreal journey that has you wondering if the main character is insane or enlightened, and keeps you laughing all the delightful way to an astonishing and funny conclusion. If you haven't, reading Lovecraft and becoming familiar with the Cthulhu mythos will enhance this book.