Ignore Everybody, a book review
Posted in Book reviews on July 3rd, 2009 by Christiaan – Be the first to comment
This is my second book review ever. The last one was actually an eBook so this could also count as the first true book review. Whichever way you slice it this blogpost is still a book review.
The book I’m going to review was released not to long ago, it’s a book by another blogger. Hugh MacLoud of Gapingvoid.com. This guy started blogging back in 2001 and has been drawing cartoons on the back of business cards for over a decade.
My predominant cartoon format for over ten years. The originals are drawn on either business cards, or bristol board cut to the same size, i.e. 3.5 inches by 2 inches. I use a Rotring 0.3mm Rapidograph pen with jet-black India ink.
These cartoons tell you how Hugh sees the world around him and at times it’s very cynical. It’s a type of humor you either like of loathe.
What is the book about anyways? It’s all about lessons Hugh learned or insights he gained in his years of working in the copyright industry and observing people while sitting with the other barflies (and drawing cartoons). There are exactly 40 chapters in this book, each one could easily be a blogpost. Although chapter 23 would make a short one. I hope the publishers forgive me for giving you the entire chapter but it’s just to good:
23. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself
Everybody is too busy with their own own lives to give a damn about your book, painting, screenplay etc., especially if you haven’t finished it yet. And the ones who care aren’t to busy you don’t want in your life anyway.
Making a big deal over your creative shtick to other people is the kiss of death. That’s all I have to say on the subject.
Every chapter is followed by two or three cartoons. There are 84 cartoons throughout the book and just about every one of them has the potential to either kick your ass or make you laugh. Although the book has 159 pages you’ll fly through it in an hour or so, unless you stop to contemplate.
Hugh is harsh but realistic and ruthlessly honest. That alone deserves great credit. This book isn’t only meant for laughs though. It’s serious stuff that Hugh tries to convey here and using cartoons is his unique way to do it. Read it fast and laugh, read it slow, contemplate and learn what’s hidden behind the cartoons.
I have to agree with Seth who’s quoted on the dust cover
“A work of art, a brilliant insight, a book that will change your life.” – Seth Godin
For those who might be offended by it, the book does have some adult content. Or at least, it uses the “f” word and as Hugh is a barfly observing the other guests and guys + bars + drinks = profanity this truth of life is portrayed in the cartoons here and there.
I enjoyed reading it and I’m sure I’ll pick it from my bookcase now and then to leaf through again just to provoke thoughts and getting my head out of the clouds and back down to where things matter and you can make a difference. It actually wouldn’t surprise me if Hugh has some knowledge of Zen, although he’s probably a natural.
The cartoons in this blog post are of course copyrighted and belong to Hugh.
