Comments on: Rereading my childhood: The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 01:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: TheMacNaughton http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1621507 TheMacNaughton Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1621507 Other things The Snarkout Boys books deserve recognition for: WPOV (werewolf-point-of-view), a brilliant fantasy version of lower Wacker Drive, the greatest drive-in movie theater to never exist, "Rat," and that bit with the booth in the Deadly Nightshade Diner We Never Close.  Other things The Snarkout Boys books deserve recognition for: WPOV (werewolf-point-of-view), a brilliant fantasy version of lower Wacker Drive, the greatest drive-in movie theater to never exist, “Rat,” and that bit with the booth in the Deadly Nightshade Diner We Never Close. 

]]> By: Jay Van Loenen http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1621254 Jay Van Loenen Sun, 06 Jan 2013 04:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1621254 OMG. Seriously one of my all time favorites. <----- Ex-English teacher, current stay-at-home-dad OMG. Seriously one of my all time favorites. <—– Ex-English teacher, current stay-at-home-dad

]]> By: Jeninlb http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1621116 Jeninlb Sat, 05 Jan 2013 21:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1621116 What, no Worms of Kukumlima? What, no Worms of Kukumlima?

]]> By: noah django http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620929 noah django Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620929  I think this is the one that I read.  I read a book a day in the 7th grade, and I know I read something with The Snarkout Boys in the title.  this was the one with the mad scientist that tried to make magnetic food; then put it in the disc drive, save data on it, and eat it?  there may have been a soundproof room in a basement where they blasted Depeche Mode or something, and a beatnik poetry coffee house?  all those books blur together a bit.  Like the other commenter said, I would never have remembered the title had it not been for the post. When I got to highschool and had long forgotten this book, my homie Dave and I used to sneak out to Rocky Horror on Fridays, so I guess it was a seminal influence.  good times.  I think this is the one that I read.  I read a book a day in the 7th grade, and I know I read something with The Snarkout Boys in the title.  this was the one with the mad scientist that tried to make magnetic food; then put it in the disc drive, save data on it, and eat it?  there may have been a soundproof room in a basement where they blasted Depeche Mode or something, and a beatnik poetry coffee house?  all those books blur together a bit.  Like the other commenter said, I would never have remembered the title had it not been for the post.

When I got to highschool and had long forgotten this book, my homie Dave and I used to sneak out to Rocky Horror on Fridays, so I guess it was a seminal influence.  good times.

]]> By: neilinchicago http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620923 neilinchicago Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620923 Ah, but if you were living in Chicago, you really could have gone to the Clark Theater, a different double feature every day. Ah, but if you were living in Chicago, you really could have gone to the Clark Theater, a different double feature every day.

]]> By: John Radi http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620864 John Radi Sat, 05 Jan 2013 04:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620864 Alan Mendelsohn was one of my most  favorite books as a kid, totally turned me onto reading for life.  Alan Mendelsohn was one of my most  favorite books as a kid, totally turned me onto reading for life. 

]]> By: gwailo_joe http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620857 gwailo_joe Sat, 05 Jan 2013 04:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620857 I'm a Baconburg man myself.  Borgelnuskies, the Napoleon of crime, lycanthropy...that's 3X win right there! I need to re-read the classics...it's been awhile. I’m a Baconburg man myself.  Borgelnuskies, the Napoleon of crime, lycanthropy…that’s 3X win right there!

I need to re-read the classics…it’s been awhile.

]]> By: Egypt Urnash http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620814 Egypt Urnash Sat, 05 Jan 2013 02:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620814 Re-reading <cite>Alan Menelsohn</cite> as an adult was a very strange experience: I got the jokes. I'd learnt enough to know what he was making fun of, instead of assuming it all came from Pinkwater's imagination. That book is basically the kiddie equivalent to the Illuminatus! trilogy. Re-reading Alan Menelsohn as an adult was a very strange experience: I got the jokes. I’d learnt enough to know what he was making fun of, instead of assuming it all came from Pinkwater’s imagination.

That book is basically the kiddie equivalent to the Illuminatus! trilogy.

]]> By: Aron Greenberg http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620793 Aron Greenberg Sat, 05 Jan 2013 01:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620793 This is absurd. The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror is clearly superior. Why has nobody mentioned this? Over the last year or so, I've made a habit of bringing home Pinkwater books every time I take my son to the library. It's been very, very rewarding. The Big Orange Splot stands out among the picture books. This is absurd. The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror is clearly superior. Why has nobody mentioned this?

Over the last year or so, I’ve made a habit of bringing home Pinkwater books every time I take my son to the library. It’s been very, very rewarding. The Big Orange Splot stands out among the picture books.

]]> By: nanner http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620751 nanner Fri, 04 Jan 2013 23:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620751 Fat Men from Space by Pinkwater was a favorite of my younger brother. It was silly fun. Maybe I'll check out his other books for my kids :) Fat Men from Space by Pinkwater was a favorite of my younger brother. It was silly fun. Maybe I’ll check out his other books for my kids :)

]]> By: OtherMichael http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620643 OtherMichael Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620643 I'm still searching for a bowl of Green Death chili. Throughout college (and beyond, truth be told) I was thrilled to discover some personage or other from a DP book that was based on somebody or something real (a bunch of characters from "The Last Guru", many of the elements from Young Adult Novel, etc.). There was a weird thrill when I found out that the bizarre home movies described in AMTBFM were based on his uncle's bizarre home movies. I’m still searching for a bowl of Green Death chili.

Throughout college (and beyond, truth be told) I was thrilled to discover some personage or other from a DP book that was based on somebody or something real (a bunch of characters from “The Last Guru”, many of the elements from Young Adult Novel, etc.). There was a weird thrill when I found out that the bizarre home movies described in AMTBFM were based on his uncle’s bizarre home movies.

]]> By: Finnagain http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620640 Finnagain Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620640 Pinkwater is so good! I read these to my kids, and loved them. Recently I began re-reading the Just So stories from my own kiddage. Wonderful stuff! Pinkwater is so good! I read these to my kids, and loved them. Recently I began re-reading the Just So stories from my own kiddage. Wonderful stuff!

]]> By: Jimmy Jone http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620637 Jimmy Jone Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620637 Pretty sure that cover is by Sam Viviano, who did a lot of work for Mad Magazine. Pretty sure that cover is by Sam Viviano, who did a lot of work for Mad Magazine.

]]> By: Stefan Jones http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620633 Stefan Jones Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620633 I recently moved my library to a new house. I got rid of a lot of books while packing and more while un-packing, but kept every volume of Pinkwater. I recently moved my library to a new house. I got rid of a lot of books while packing and more while un-packing, but kept every volume of Pinkwater.

]]> By: jimkirk http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620617 jimkirk Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620617 One of the books I re-read every couple of years or so.  Terrific stuff. One of the books I re-read every couple of years or so.  Terrific stuff.

]]> By: Alexander Hu http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620611 Alexander Hu Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620611 Yes!!! Love the Snarkout Boys and Daniel Pinkwater. Also great are Borgel and Yobgorgle :) I read them in collected form as a kid, and I recommend his collections as a great and affordable way to get into his work: http://www.amazon.com/4-Fantastic-Novels-Daniel-Pinkwater/dp/0689834888/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1357330739&sr=8-9&keywords=daniel+pinkwater http://www.amazon.com/Novels-Mendelsohn-Spiegel-Snarkout-Avocado/dp/0374423296/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357330739&sr=8-1&keywords=daniel+pinkwater Yes!!! Love the Snarkout Boys and Daniel Pinkwater. Also great are Borgel and Yobgorgle :) I read them in collected form as a kid, and I recommend his collections as a great and affordable way to get into his work:

http://www.amazon.com/4-Fantastic-Novels-Daniel-Pinkwater/dp/0689834888/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1357330739&sr=8-9&keywords=daniel+pinkwater

http://www.amazon.com/Novels-Mendelsohn-Spiegel-Snarkout-Avocado/dp/0374423296/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357330739&sr=8-1&keywords=daniel+pinkwater

]]> By: adamselzer http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620608 adamselzer Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620608 This book was no small part of why I moved to Chicago as soon as I could. Now I take tour groups past "Blueberry Park" every night. This book was no small part of why I moved to Chicago as soon as I could. Now I take tour groups past “Blueberry Park” every night.

]]> By: Jason Weisberger http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620603 Jason Weisberger Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620603 This comment makes my week. This comment makes my week.

]]> By: Justin Spath http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620594 Justin Spath Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620594 Thank you so much.  I read this book as a kid and have been trying for what seems like years to remember the title. Thank you so much.  I read this book as a kid and have been trying for what seems like years to remember the title.

]]> By: speno http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620582 speno Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620582 You can listen to Daniel himself reading this book for free at http://www.pinkwater.com/podcast/audioarchive.php Pinkwater and his words makes me happy. You can listen to Daniel himself reading this book for free at http://www.pinkwater.com/podcast/audioarchive.php
Pinkwater and his words makes me happy.

]]> By: Bill Biz Olbrisch http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620578 Bill Biz Olbrisch Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620578 For those who aren't into buying old editions, these are a must have: http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Pinkwater/e/B000APAVUO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1357327137&sr=8-2 http://www.amazon.com/4-Fantastic-Novels-Daniel-Pinkwater/dp/0689834888/ref=la_B000APAVUO_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1357327231&sr=1-7 http://www.amazon.com/Novels-Mendelsohn-Spiegel-Snarkout-Avocado/dp/0374423296/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357327137&sr=8-2&keywords=pinkwater For those who aren’t into buying old editions, these are a must have:

http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Pinkwater/e/B000APAVUO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1357327137&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/4-Fantastic-Novels-Daniel-Pinkwater/dp/0689834888/ref=la_B000APAVUO_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1357327231&sr=1-7

http://www.amazon.com/Novels-Mendelsohn-Spiegel-Snarkout-Avocado/dp/0374423296/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357327137&sr=8-2&keywords=pinkwater

]]> By: NobleBaker http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620568 NobleBaker Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620568 I have read this book many times, as a child and as an adult. I have read this book many times, as a child and as an adult.

]]> By: Les Weiler http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620565 Les Weiler Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620565 Makes me want to re-read my Three Investigators books. Thanks for posting this. Makes me want to re-read my Three Investigators books. Thanks for posting this.

]]> By: alfanovember http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620560 alfanovember Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620560 Having grown into a Vintage Hi-Fi geek in adulthood,  the description of Rat's Klugwallah Sound Reproducing System (stereo is for sissies!) in chapter 13 is a tantalizing clue to the origins of my interest.  It also tips Pinkwater's hand - a lovingly detailed description of something so esoteric could only have been crafted by a fellow enthusiast. Having grown into a Vintage Hi-Fi geek in adulthood,  the description of Rat’s Klugwallah Sound Reproducing System (stereo is for sissies!) in chapter 13 is a tantalizing clue to the origins of my interest.  It also tips Pinkwater’s hand – a lovingly detailed description of something so esoteric could only have been crafted by a fellow enthusiast.

]]> By: Jason Weisberger http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620553 Jason Weisberger Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620553 Thank you both.  Thank you both. 

]]> By: Bill Biz Olbrisch http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620547 Bill Biz Olbrisch Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620547 TSBATAOD is a truly great work of literature.  Anyone who knows about it jumps up many levels in my esteem.   TSBATAOD is a truly great work of literature.  Anyone who knows about it jumps up many levels in my esteem.  

]]> By: Felton / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620545 Felton / Moderator Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620545 Better an avacado than an avvocato. Better an avacado than an avvocato.

]]> By: Jorpho http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620543 Jorpho Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620543 Avacado of Death?  Wouldn't that be... <i>The Devil's Avacado?</i> Also, I remain frustrated to this day that I neglected to pick up <i>Night of the Living Gator</i>, the singularly elusive conclusion to the <i>Daniel M. Pinkwater's Melvinge of the Megaverse</i> trilogy.  I should probably just bite the bullet and pay the outrageous Amazon prices. Avacado of Death?  Wouldn’t that be… The Devil’s Avacado?

Also, I remain frustrated to this day that I neglected to pick up Night of the Living Gator, the singularly elusive conclusion to the Daniel M. Pinkwater’s Melvinge of the Megaverse trilogy.  I should probably just bite the bullet and pay the outrageous Amazon prices.

]]> By: Megan http://boingboing.net/2013/01/04/rereading-my-childhood-the-sn.html#comment-1620539 Megan Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=204076#comment-1620539 I prefer avocados.  Avacados just don't taste the same. I prefer avocados.  Avacados just don’t taste the same.

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