Weird-Ass Books #4: Thomas M. Disch

Chris discusses 5 works by the late author Thomas M. Disch: The Genocides (1965), Camp Concentration (1968), Fun with Your New Head (1968), 334 (1972), and On Wings of Song (1979).
www.prisonforkids.com

[@Bookpilled]

I have vintage, unread copies of Camp Concentration and Dhalgren sitting accusingly on my shelf. Thanks for the push. These book vids are excellent, hope you make many more of them.

[@PrisonforKids]

Thank you! Hoping to finish a new video about Joy Williams in the near future!

[@LilFL117]

Where have you gone, come back. Your books recs are phenomenal along with the commentary

[@rayhewitt9789]

Big Disch fan here. I discovered him in my youth first with Fun With Your New Head. I was hooked! Loved all your comments...wanted to make a few recommends: His stories collections are all worth pickin g up but especially find GETTING INTO DEATH, and White Fang Goes Dingo. Then his "horror" quadrology is acerbic and rollicking. "The M.D a Horror Story" is the one Id recommend.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Thomas Disch is still one of my favorite writers. I met him once and he was extremely quick witted and funny. I was very sad to hear of his passing.

[@synthzz9178]

Thanks mate, I love the other authors you mentioned in the other videos and thanks to you i just finished the collection of his short stories. His writing is bleak, smart and never boring. Couldn't stop reading it. Please do other videos, don't stop

[@barrymoore4470]

'334' is the only Disch title I've read so far, but it remains one of my favorite novels, science fiction or otherwise. I love how the author's rich sense of humanity of his characters mitigates the bleakness of his setting and themes. A great and undervalued work of literature.

[@ryanthornton1629]

If you liked the idea of 334, I highly recommend “The World Inside” by Robert Silverberg. It’s a dystopian future book set in a self proclaimed utopian society that is socially radically different from our own. They house their population in Thousand floor skyscraper buildings called Urban Monads or Urbmon. The story takes place in Urbmon 116 with a population of 886,000. Every chapter follows a different character from a loosely related group that share events in the larger story. I don’t want to say too much, but it’s a short and easy read, and packs an emotional punch.

[@PrisonforKids]

I’ve read “The World Inside.” One of the better Silverberg novels IMO, wish I’d read it before I made the video on him. Thanks for watching!

[@ryanthornton1629]

@@PrisonforKids it’s my first Silverberg. Very excited to read his other stuff. I found your channel through your video in Silverberg.

[@azraelroman1]

I concur with your idea that covers do make a difference in a person wanting to experience either a book, an album or a board game; writers should definitely pair up with visual artists to create a sellable product.

[@PrisonforKids]

Totally. I *should* have mentioned, however, that often the author has zero control of the book cover or artist.

[@thekeywitness]

Just finished Dhalgren (would love your analysis) and about to start Camp Concentration.

[@felicitygrey2185]

I really enjoyed this video :)

[@PrisonforKids]

Thank you!

[@Ironingbrd]

They did meet... Dick and Thomas in 74 in Orange County in the book "The Word of God" he tells the tail...thanks for this great...

[@goatuscrow4135]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@PrisonforKids]

You’re welcome!

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Btw, there's a companion website to Camp Concentration that delves deeply into the literary references, political, historical and science trivia throughout the book. It made reading it much more valuable to me, a poorly educated sci-fi fan who went to a 3rd tier public college. : )

[@nullset560]

Have a link?

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Definitely check out MD or The Priest if you like the horror aspect to Disch's writing.

[@meesalikeu]

im not sure people really leave their body in on the wings or if they are made to imagine it. regardless its a conceit as you say. i like how he doesnt explain too much. in this case i think thats honoring and trusting your audience.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Any chance is an audiobook of this?

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

I think "don't judge a book by it's cover" is a nonsense caution. We can and should judge books and many other things by their covers. : )

[@danieldawes6263]

Too many pronouns used: him, him, him.... Who are you talking about