Boomsday - Couverture souple

The acting talents of Janeane Garofalo and the satirical prose of Christopher Buckley combine in a send-up of politics, public relations, and intergenerational relationships. Garofalo perfectly captures the dry wit and sarcasm of Gen-X public relations professional Cassandra Devine, who is trying to warn her blog readers that the economy is about to collapse due to the impending retirement of millions of Baby Boomers. Garofalo also delivers the highbrow accent of a Massachusetts senator and creates a hilarious portrayal of a Southern Baptist senator. Buckley's novel is a delightful mix of strong characters and plot twists, and Garofalo's performance more than does it justice. R.F. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 07]

Comedian and actress Janeane Garofalo embodies a unique combination of edge and sincerity perfect for Buckley's tale of Generation X activism. Garofalo effectively portrays Cassandra's angst amid the absurd scenario of her macabre treatise. Garofalo also demonstrates tremendous vocal range with male characters, especially profile leader Rev. Gideon Payne and Cassandra's love interest and ally Sen. Randolph K. Jeffeson. Garofalo certainly does the colorful characters justice.

Politics was never so much fun before Christopher Buckley got hold of it and gave it a good shake. It's Janeane Garofalo, who ratchets up the comic quotient with every new voice - and there are plenty of them - that she some how comes up with. Each is more preposterous and hilarious than the last, In this case, as the saying goes, nothing succeeds like excess. Throughout, Garofalo plays this shtick like the maestro of an oddball orchestra, to which we can only say, "Brava". (Philly.com Sandy Bauers 2007)

BOOMSDAY'S heroine is Cassandra Devine, a charismatic 29-year-old blogger who incites massive political turmoil when, outraged over mounting Social Security debt, she politely suggests that Baby Boomers be given government incentives to kill themselves by age 75. Her modest proposal catches fire with millions of her outraged peers ("Generation Whatever") and an ambitious Senator seeking to gain the youth vote in his presidential campaign.
With the help of Washington's greatest spin doctor, the blogger and the politician try to ride the issue of euthanasia for Boomers (they call it "Transitioning") all the way to the White House, over the forceful objections of the Religious Right and, of course, Baby Boomers, who are deeply offended by demonstrations on the golf courses of their retirement resorts.