This strange, autobiographical text by a wealthy American eccentric—think Raymond Roussel sans literary pretensions—stands as a sublime absurdist curiosity. Originally published in 1802, the book features surreal stream-of-consciousness writing, bizarre spelling, wicked run-on sentences, and a complete absence of punctuation.
Too random to qualify as an Oulipian specimen, this unconstrained, egotistical work includes lunatic rants and ridicule aimed at politicians, the clergy, society — even his wife.
A self-anointed “Lord,” Timothy Dexter described himself as a genius, worthy of serving as emperor of the United States.
Let Dexter reign!
“Hilarious.”— John Marquand
“A curious effort.” — The New York Times
“Lord Timothy Dexter established his own court in a sumptuous mansion. Besides his nagging wife, crazy daughter, and alcoholic son, his ‘courtiers’ included a fortuneteller, a six foot seven inch tall idiot whom he called the dwarf, and a poet laureate appointed by himself. This ‘laureate’ was a former fishmonger and purveyor of pornography, whom Dexter dressed in cocked hat and silver-buckled shoes.” — Readers Digest Book Of Strange Stories And Amazing Facts
