This is a Sci-Fi Political Satire combined with wide-ranging iconoclastic humour that entertains and informs without hitting anyone over the head with the obvious. It even changes pace with touches of fairly serious discussion just to keep us on our toes.

Don’t expect it easy to follow the plotline. Yes, there is one in there somewhere, but we keep getting sidetracked into fascinating little asides that take up whole chapters, with asides from the asides. Detours into the “cultural predilections” of various alien species will not amuse everyone, every time, but the descriptions are always creative. A warning: do not under any circumstances take the main character’s medical advice.

Fortunately, the main character is a pleasant, if rather placid Everywoman, who meanders through the maze and refocuses us when we get distracted.

In places the story gets rather intense, sometimes in strange directions. Obsessive characters are rarely funny, even when taken to extremes, but they do provide a change of pace, and they can make a point. For me, the trademark obsession of the main character was a bit out of place in her personality, and when it surfaced, it often affected the feeling of the scene. I know that was a main branch of the story arc, but it stood out as heavy-handed in this light, witty style

Thematically, the author lampoons the whole premise of American culture, but manages to keep it light-hearted and creative. For example, her take on the Golden Rule is “Do Whatever You Would Like To Do, So Long As This Does Not Prevent Others From Doing Whatever They Would Like To Do.”

This pretty well sums up the style of the book; never use one word when three would be more fun, but make it entertaining and mildly insightful.

A great read for those who like their political satire light and creative.

Four stars.