Being There by Jerzy Kosinski What an intriguing and fascinating book!

 Being There by Jerzy Kosinski  

What an intriguing and fascinating book! 

Considering that I have seen the film based on the novel, with an excellent Peter Sellers in the leading role, I knew what to expect. Up to a point. There are a few angles or perspectives that can affect your perception of this story. The easiest one would be to just dismiss it as a simple, impossible fantasy that sends such a primitive, obvious message, that you can just forget about it. Stupid people manage to get ahead and our leaders are troglodytes that speak in tongues. Actually, perhaps I should stop here and take this way out and cross out this short saga - there's another book finished for you I am not going do to that, for I am still thinking about the other angles. Another option that I hate, would be preferred by my buddies from the sauna. They are thrilled by the conspiracy theories and from one stage on, the plot will offer them ammunition. - you see, this is how they promote men to high office They might refer to George Bush, a president that everybody despised and hated. - maybe, except for this guy, who should be ashamed in the eyes of so many to say that he liked Bush and even his team...with the infamous unknown unknowns... To come back to Chance Gardner, I dismiss this conspiracy theory as well. It has to be said though, that the author probably suggested that politicians are as stupid as can be, uneducated and out of touch. The hyperbole being Chance Gardner, who cannot read or write. There is a feeling that the metaphor is pushed too far. One is tempted to say that the story line is as credible as alien movies, with green little guys that land on earth. Indeed, the president and the Soviet ambassador are both frustrated with the total lack of information about Chance Gardner and speak about him with anger: - what is he, an alien? Perhaps decades ago it would be more plausible to promote someone to a public, important position without knowing anything about him. In one our age though, that is not just unlikely, but altogether impossible. And there we have the reason why I have qualms about this book. On the one hand it kept me very interested and connected, I finished it quickly, for it is short. On the other, I felt the plot thin and absurd, at least at times. The conclusion though is that I liked it and I am getting used with rejecting the likes of Quo Vadis- a consecrated chef d'oeuvre- and being enthralled by a less acclaimed work as - Being There