FOTUS

A Novel

By: Kevin Kunundrum

Narrated by: Dylan Walker

FOTUS is a political satire that takes place in a futuristic America in which Alexander Rett, a self-aware talking embryo, defies medical science, runs to become president from within the womb, wins, and during his first few amazing months as leader of the Free World, coins himself the Fetus of the United States (FOTUS).

Without even a fully developed brain yet, the fetus embraces the role with an unorthodox sense of humor; he participates in presidential debates, helps pass important national bills, oversees domestic and international affairs, and even runs his own Twitter account where he continually engages in political quarrels - all through a window in his mother's stomach, an intercom to the outside world, and his cell phone.

The nuanced story line, although seemingly inconceivable, touches on conflicting views on various issues - civil rights, gun control, abortion - that are topical in the political climate of modern-day America. FOTUS is joined in his bureaucratic ventures by a myriad of animated characters, including his White House personal secretary, chief of staff, press secretary, chief intern, personal bartender, and, of course, his parents.

FOTUS is an outlandish yet relevant take on contemporary politics and what it's like to be president with the entire world watching and criticizing your every move, narrated by the inquisitive, ambitious, anything-but-boring mind of an unborn child.

©2019 Kevin Postupack (P)2019 Bancroft Press

Hilariously Absurd

A self-aware fetus elected president? Of course he's a republican. I love how clever the book is. The absurd characters (President Er Magherd of Hangry), and the not-so-subtle swipes at 45. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

funny, a new take in the hilarity everyday life

worth the listen. it was an odd but pleasurable experience. would definitely. recommend as a fun listen as well as an insight to the absurdity of politics.

A bit slow to start, easy to hate, but keep going.

First off, this being an audiobook, in my case, I should note that the reading was wonderful. The differing dialect between the same words in the space of a couple of sentences was flawless, if a bit disconcerting to process, but that is the nature of the book, and the subject matter, not the reader. Still, if you cannot deal with that, be warned.

As for the subject matter, the main character is one that is easy to dislike. Even more, those that surround him. There is subtle progression, some might even say rebirth, throughout the novel, but you might have to take some time away to reflect on what you have heard, and calm down a bit. In the end, it was worth it to get through the tough parts, and see the humanity in the story. To say that it was worth it, alone, does not do the book justice. The wordplay involved is, though from a different perspective that one might normally see, insane in it's over-the-top nature. This book, unfortunately, gives Poe's law a run for it's money, and all bets are off till you get to the end.

I requested a free review copy of this audiobook, with expectation of my honest review. Thank you for allowing me to listen to and review the book.

Check out the sample

Note: I received this book for free in exchange for a fair review.

If you've seen the movie Idiocracy, you'll be familiar with both the strengths and weaknesses of this book. There are lots of clever gags and wordplay, and they can be pretty fun, and I actually think it's strongest toward the end of the book. If you listen to the audio sample, you'll probably get a good idea if you'll enjoy the type of humor this book offers.

It didn't always work for me for two reasons. First, the current political climate is so insane, it's almost beyond parody. Second, sometimes a book that is making fun of 'dumbness' by showing 'dumbness' and reveling in the humor starts to feel dumb in it's own right. For people that like that type of blurred line in their satyr, you'll probably have a lot of fun.

The narration is solid. Again the audio sample will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. I think for the right listener this might be something they'll really enjoy.

Fotus

It started out funny but got to be too much.There were a lot of good jokes,but too many bad ones,I couldn't finish it.Dylan Walker was a good narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.