Katzenjammer
Katzenjammer is the story of a first-time novelist struggling in New York. The book's main character, Max Perkins, feels cursed by having the same name as that of the famous editor to Hemingway, Wolfe, and Fitzgerald. Max's attempts to get recognized finally land him in the readers' department of Bandomday Books where the plot to get his book published takes on mind-bending twists and turns, eventually becoming a Faustian comical journey.
Encompassing everything from Russian pianists, male prostitution, and insane bosses, to the Mormon religion, the New York arts scene, hermaphrodites, dwarfs, and the inner workings of corporate America, Katzenjammer is a scathing, hilarious, and quixotic look at what it takes to get published today.
A scathing, quixotic, and Faustian look at the Publishing Industry, Jackson McCrae's new novel Katzenjammer takes us into the mind of Max Perkins-a first-time movie-obsessed novelist attempting to get his work published in New York. In this, his third book, McCrae strips away the media-created and hyped veneer of being a published author and shows us what it really takes to get your book on the bestseller list.
The result is not always pretty but it is highly informative, hilarious, and above all, entertaining. Encompassing everything from Russian pianists, male prostitution, and insane bosses, to the Mormon religion, the New York arts scene, hermaphrodites, dwarfs, and the inner workings of corporate America, Katzenjammer is a ribald and adventurous romp through New York, publishing, and the world of books.
BookReads Review
Occasionally a book will come along that completely defies literary traditions and ground rules. Jackson Tippett McCrae’s Katzenjammer: Soon to be a Major Motion Picture is one such book. As in McCrae’s first book (The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens), he takes a historical literary figure (in this case, Max Perkins, famous editor to Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Wolfe) and creates a fascinating protagonist around him. The premise of Katzenjammer is not that unusual—a writer in New York City attempting to get his book published—but, like thematic materials used by Beethoven, which are not that interesting in themselves, it’s not the idea but rather what the author does with this material that’s impressive. McCrae’s latest book is sure to please anyone with a sense of humor and an interest in books and movies. Tie-ins to famous films, along with short easy-to-read chapters make this a sure winner. The writing style will remind many of Sedaris—the wit and panache are undeniable and parts of the books are wickedly funny. A modern day Faustian tale of madness, with the city of New York as a main character itself, Katzenjammer does just what books are supposed to do—enlighten and entertain.
What people are saying about
Katzenjammer
“This is possibly the best book ever written. It’s funny, witty, well crafted,
full of symbolism, anagrams, and hidden meanings. An overall knock-out!
Now, if I can just get it back . . .”
Max Perkins—author of Mrs. Squigglemire’s Bustle
“Disgusting! Filled with references to sex, bodily functions, and prostitution, it is
a moral majority person’s nightmare.”
Kaplan Fartus—President of Barely Broadway Productions
“Why are you asking me for a quote? I don’t even know who this person is. I was raped, you know.”
Clarice Butel—head reader at Bandomday Books
“I actually wrote this book, not that McCrae person. He owes me big time. I want credit.”
Reeda Rot—movie director (this week)
“You really should buy this book. I’ll get a lot of money if you do and then I can quit
my job at the mental hospital. Jackson, give me a call—we can work something out, big guy.”
Spank Wexmiller—orderly and male prostitute
“Who’s writing this crap about me?”
Spong Flagelatte—inmate at Rikers Island Prison
