
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Dakota and the American Dream in Books
Apr 24, 2020
The fantasy world of Sameer Garach's Dakota and the American Dream is a satire of modern-day America. From a ten year old's perspective, the short story covers the corporate ladder, hierarchy, racism, discrimination, career success and an extreme love of coffee. Whilst all this is humorous to the adult mind, there is an alarming amount of truth that paints the "American Dream" as a corrupt society.
From the very start, Dakota's experience feels remarkably like Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and could almost be said to be a 21st-century version of the classic children's book. Most of Dakota's story will go over the heads of young readers, however, adults will enjoy the humour and childhood innocence as well as appreciate the connection with their favourite books as a child.
As a parody of both real life and fiction, Dakota and the American Dream is a clever story that entertains and makes you think. Although sometimes extreme, it is amusing to read about everyday life being acted out by squirrels, mice, rats, a cowardly lion, an 800-pound Gorilla and many more bizarre creatures. If the humour and satire was stripped away, we would be left with a child's confusion about the way America works with many things appearing stupid or unfair.

Passport to Hell: How I Survived Sadistic Prison Guards and Hardened Criminals in Spain's Toughest Prisons
Terry Daniels and Sandra Gregory
Book
'Que es esto? Que es esto? Es cocaina!' I couldn't speak a word of Spanish but I understood the word...

Philip Larkin: Life, Art and Love
Book
Philip Larkin was that rare thing among poets: a household name in his own lifetime. Lines such as...

I Don't Know What it is but I Love it: Liverpool's Unforgettable 1983-84 Season
Book
I Don't Know What It Is But I Love It by Tony Evans - Liverpool and the most unlikely success story...

Murphy Plays:6: Cherry Orchard; She Stoops to Folly; The Drunkard; The Last Days of a Reluctant Tyrant
Book
Murphy Plays: 6 brings together four plays by the author inspired by other great works of...

Going Solo
Book
In Going Solo, the world's favourite storyteller, Roald Dahl, tells of life as a fighter pilot in...

Ari Aster recommended Taxi Driver (1976) in Movies (curated)

The Blood of Emmett Till
Book
This extraordinary New York Times bestseller reexamines a pivotal event of the civil rights...
History Politics

The Last Act of Hattie Hoffman
Book
'No one keeps more secrets. No one is better at hiding them. SUNDAY TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH...
Crime Thriller

The Man on the Roof
Book
Someone has been creeping in the dark while the others sleep, and they've done terrible, terrible...