Garbage Head

Ronald Charles Epstein is a Toronto-based freelance writer and published poet.

Artist-author Christopher Willard was born in Maine in 1960. Subsequent
moves to Montreal and Calgary have not lessened his awareness of
American culture. Perhaps his Canadian residence has added perspective
to his background. In any case, Garbage Head is his attempt to comment
on his country’s absurd realities through fictional absurdities.

The title is also the nickname of his main character, a boy who
“peats” (utters) broadcasters’ statements before they are aired.
When Garbage Head’s gift is revealed on The Fabulous Gigi Fandone
Show, the protagonist subsequently becomes a celebrity, security risk,
lottery winner, presidential guest, and pariah.

Willard skilfully navigates the divide between reality and fantasy.
People could dismiss “a refrigerator FamilyTrak” as cartoonish
futurism, if they were not familiar with contemporary consumer
electronics. LG actually manufactures a deluxe fridge that provides
entertainment and Internet.

The author’s deftly detached president is yet another parody of
George W. Bush. The satirical version learns hip-hop jargon in order to
deflect class resentments. This may be a commentary on the real Chief
Executive’s ability to project a “man of the people” image,
despite his elite background.

The culturally aware boomer is also a seriously engaged novelist. When
talk-show host Gigi Fandone needs a lively audience, “the jumbo
VisionQuest Diatronic Super-ResolutionTM monitors flash a picture of a
yelling mouth.” The illiterate audience needs visuals. When that crowd
boos, Shawnah the intern tells them to take their behavioural cues from
those monitors. It is pointed out that “there once was a time ... when
people didn’t learn how to act from a VisionQuestTM” A society that
fails to impart literacy or character is effectively denounced.

Garbage Head is recommended for hip readers and sharp producers.