Book Review: Sex Dungeon for Sale!

Patrick Wensink's short story collection, Sex Dungeon for Sale!, is not for everyone. If not for title alone, try a journalist figuring out how to put a positive spin on killer washing machines or a suburban America where children are suicide bombers. But if you like Christopher Moore, Douglas Adams, or yes, even Kurt fucking Vonnegut, then Wensink should pique your interest.

Sex Dungeon for Sale! is a short story collection for readers with very little attention spans (wow! Mini stickers!). There are 12 stories; most of them averaging between three to five pages in length. Only two reach the ten-page mark.

This is both a blessing and a curse.

This book is perfect for readers on the go; it can be read anytime and anywhere. And like any good joke, Wensink sets readers up for the laugh and delivers the punch within minutes.

Though Wensink is witty and delightful, his flash fiction reads like jokes. Great jokes, but not short stories. A majority of his situations and characters are like The Nightmare Before Christmas's clown with a tear-away face, "Here in a flash and gone without a trace."

At times, it seems like Wensink is trying too hard to make us laugh. "Me and Gerardo Down by the Schoolyard" explores what happens after Rico Suave stormed the U.S. and Right Said Fred was too sexy for anything. The early '90s references will put a smile on any VH1 enthusiast's face, but the ending is so clichéd, it's groan inducing. In "My Son Thinks He's French," it seems like Wensink is too busy hating on Europe, he forgets to tell a story.

This isn't to say that Wensink isn't a good writer. There is immense potential here. He is a master of snappy punch lines. Wensink started his career as a journalist, and it shows. Every last line is memorable. His cheeky wit will make readers smile (or smirk, depending on the story). Also, Wensink can deliver surprise endings like M. Night Shyamalan.

Despite the ridiculous premises of his stories, Wensink has some important things to say. Though "Wash, Rinse, Repeat" is about killer washing machines, he writes "God, what's worse—the fact that America demands a KILL cycle, or the fact we're too dumb to avoid it?"

"Pandemic Jones," the longest story in the collection, is a great tale. The pharmaceutical company with a revolutionary sales technique is an intriguing and fully developed premise with likable and empathetic characters.

When given the room, Wensink can write a great story. According to his biography, he is working on a full-length novel, and I can't wait to see what Wensink can do. With his wit and humor, his talent is sure to flourish.

Sex Dungeon For Sale! is part of The New Bizarro Author Series. Editor Kevin L. Donihe explains, "For every book published in this series, the following will be true: This is the author's first published book, we're testing the waters to see if this author can find a readership, and whether or not you see more Eraserhead Press titles from this author is up to you."

I hope to see many titles from Patrick Wensink.

Oh Really?

Addendum to the Coloring Contest

A few more words on my previous post: New writer and coloring contest judge Patrick Wensink needs your help on finding a winner. He's narrowed it down to 13 choices, so you can vote on your favorite here. Voting closes December 17.



Also, stayed tuned for my review of his new book, Sex Dungeon for Sale!, coming late December.

Thoughts on Twitter

At first, I thought Twitter was the dumbest Web site ever created. "Who could possibly care that much about a person to follow their every move," I thought. "And what kind of person would post their life on the Internet?" Please ignore the fact that I have a blog, a Facebook, and now, a Twitter.

But, a few days ago, I discovered why Twitter is amazing.

Behold, a quick conversation between JOE HILL!!! AND NEIL GAIMAN!!!!

What are they talking about? I have no idea. But, IT'S JOE HILL AND NEIL GAIMAN!!!!!!

Cycle Mania

And I thought I was badass because I, like, try to jump creeks and fail like no one has ever failed before.



Cheers to you, friend.

(On another note, I wish I knew more HTML so these videos wouldn't be cut off. Here's the link to see the non-cut-off video.)

COLORING CONTEST!! And Free Books!

Do you like to color? How about free books? If you're like me and you answered, "Hell yeah!" to both questions, check out upcoming writer Patrick Wensink's coloring contest.

Here's the details:

Patrick Wensink recently decided there’s only one way to celebrate the release of his book, “Sex Dungeon for Sale!”. And that is by holding a coloring contest.

He had a series of illustrations created based on some of the book’s stories, including a Kindergartener who thinks he’s French, a puddle of ketchup shaped like Elvis and something called, “Chicken Soup for the Kidnapper’s Soul.”

While the coloring contest sounded like fun, Wensink added a little excitement by offering an autographed stack of his favorite books from 2009 to the winner:

Fool- By Christopher Moore
Tales Designed to Thrizzle – by Michael Kupperman
AM/PM – By Amelia Gray
Help! A Bear is Eating Me! – By Mykle Hansen

The contest ends December 14.

For all the details visit www.patrickwensink.com/randomness