Iris Smyles Boeken

One of The Believer 's Best Books of the One woman's journey "[flailing] at art, love, and friendship" with absurd yet improbably poignant results. ( O, The Oprah Magazine )In twenty-four absurd, lyrical, and louche episodes, “Iris Smyles” weaves a modern odyssey of trying to find one’s home in the world amid the pitfalls and insidious traps of adult life.A wickedly funny picaresque touching on quantum physics, the Donner Party, arctic exploration, Greek mythology, Rocky I, II, V, IV, VI, and III respectively, and literary immortality, Dating Tips for the Unemployed is a wistful if wry ode to that awkward age―between birth and death―when you think you know what you want but aren’t quite sure what you’re doing.

Exploring the complexities of life through a whimsical lens, the narrative features a diverse cast of characters who appear in various forms across interconnected stories. A young woman seeks transformation as a living statue in Europe, while surrealists navigate love on a reality show. The book creatively blends humor and depth, presenting philosophical musings alongside absurd scenarios, such as translating poetry into pig Latin and revealing inner thoughts through fortune cookies. With its unique style, it offers a profound reflection on the paradoxes of existence.

The narrative follows Smyles, a recent college graduate navigating life in Manhattan, capturing the humor and nostalgia of late adolescence. Through a vibrant picaresque style, the story explores the complexities of growing up and the bittersweet nature of youth, highlighting both its beauty and sadness. "Iris Has Free Time" serves as a heartfelt tribute to the joys and challenges of this transitional phase in life.