American Rococo

There are three things that one looks for in an essayist: good writing, deep thinking and range.

American novelist and essayist Isham Cook scores quite well in all three respects, particularly the last. His latest book, ‘American Rococo: Essays on the Edge’ is nothing if not eclectic, containing reflections on subjects ranging from the smartphone to Noh theatre, from John Dowland to Philip Glass and from Airbnb to atheists. Several essays are, however, connected by an interest in the human body, covering topics including sexually transmitted disease in Shakespearean London, Japanese konyoku onsen (nude mixed-bathing hot springs), and the features of People of Walmart. Indeed, in the essay which gives the book its title, Cook finds a “peculiarly American … rococo beauty” in the fleshy swirls of the morbidly obese.

This is characteristic of Cook’s willingness to shock and provoke. Sometimes this can work well. Any American teenager tempted to sext would certainly refrain from doing so after reading Cook’s account of how American sex laws (notably the Adam Walsh Child Act of 2006) actually work.

On the other hand, Cook can easily tip into preachiness (condemning monogamy in ‘My Problem with Atheists’) or even downright silliness (‘The Brest Etiquette Project’).

In the end, whilst many are likely to be impressed by Cook’s scholarship (for example in challenging the standard account of the development of the English language) at least as many are likely to be alienated by what they take to be his libertarian, or even libertine, views.

Essays either bore or cause you to explore. I didn't even really want to read this but what a surprise. The topics are a broad range but even better they cause you to dig on your own and to develop actual thoughts and not just discussion through "volume". I think you will all be pleased

These thirteen humorous and provocative essays encompass both historical and current culture. Though not all of the essays are "winners", there's something for everyone. I highly recommend this for those who are willing to step outside their comfort zones.

A complete review has been posted on UnderratedReads.

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Tricky to gauge - an interesting take on modern Americana but written apparently without qualification or expertise to draw upon.

This is a very interesting collection of essays. With that being said, many people may not respond well to the essays, especially in the hyper polarized time we seem to be living in right now.