Title: Lysol Baby in the Land of Crickets: A Historical Satire
Author: Tom Roberts Sr.
Publisher: LitFire Publishing
ISBN: 1641517816
Pages: 188
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Hollywood Book Reviews
Lysol Baby in the Land of Crickets is one of the most rousing history satires any avid reader would want to have. In this book, the reader is taken through the life of Tommy, an Oklahoman boy who was born in 1932. What makes this story distinct is how it is told. The story is told by the boy’s supernatural self, which is a Lysol Baby that woke up in “The Land of Lysol” when he was born. The time of his birth was during the Great Depression of 1929-1941. His mother had used diluted Lysol as a birth control agent as she was not able to cater for another child.
This book is as exciting as it can be as author Tom Roberts Sr. tries to show how human beings are dynamic with their characters, and how human behavior changes over the years. The author gave two examples to explain his theory; a world with locked doors rather than unlocked, and a world where handshakes were worthless as the contract became essential. Tom Roberts Sr. expounds how during Tommy’s lifetime things changed for the worst. Honesty transformed into deception, diplomacy changed to threats of war and sharing changed to taking.
Tommy, through Lysol Baby, shares sharp and sensible points in the narration. The author compiled his thoughts in a distinct manner, making the reader deeply analyze every scenario. The diamond-studded roach, the golden owl, the great falcon, the white dove and every other creature in the book was significant individually and collectively. The events at The Hall of Interrogation were among my favorite scenes in the book. The civility showed and the organization displayed was admirable. The themes of leadership, governance, and accountability can be seen here as everyone went on with their business. Tom’s speech was remarkable.
It is amazing how the author uses animals to bring about points that humans can relate to. The story about the great depression was also substantial and important. The references the author made are great for those who love history. Lysol Baby in the Land of Crickets: A Historical Satire is a brilliant book that needs one to pay attention and take notes of the narrative. Tom Roberts Sr. was witty throughout the book, and outstanding with his writing. The short stories he gave amidst the plot were stimulating and made the book even more thought-provoking.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy satire books and historical fiction. The arrangement of the plot is commendable as the reader can easily follow the events. The introduction was also noteworthy, with the author introducing major characters and main themes. One can easily fall in love with the author’s writing style as he is gentle with words but fierce with the lessons he wants to be shared.