Books like The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories

There's a theory about the instigation of the French Revolution -- and I'm not saying I ascribe to it, but I certainly am enamored of it -- that there was so little knowledge of food science that wheat and other grains were stored without regard for safety or preservation. So much of the grain used for baking grew moldy and fermented to the point that many French, especially the poor, were basically walking around gnawing on crusty chunks of LSD. (Marie-Antoinette: "Why is everyone acting so crazy?" Mirabeau: "I'm afraid, my queen, they be trippin'.") What's my point? For those of you who haven't already lost interest: That Nicholas Gurewitch has been poking his hand in a kindred breadbox. His work feels like tiny fables from a land of altered states, and I absolutely love it! As I began reading this book, I formulated a theory about the development of his artistic vision in which he was driven to near-madness by the perverse inanity and unfathomable longevity of the "Family Circus" strip, then about halfway through the book THERE IT IS -- a spoof of little Billy and crew sporting their usual pluck but with bloody toothless grins. I knew it! You may wonder: I'm sure this book is cool and all, but why is she going on and on about it? Insomnia, my friends, pure unadulterated insomnia. But seriously, check it out, you'll dig it, or I'll bake you a trippin' brioche and you can try it again.