Benson's Cuckoos - Softcover

Ricard, Anouk

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1770461388 ISBN 13: 9781770461383

Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly, 2014

Synopsis

Workplace stresses may be killer in this off-the-rails office satire

Richard thinks he's in luck when he snags a job at the cuckoo-clock factory, but things start to go wrong right off the bat. First of all there's his boss, who doesn't seem to have the strongest grip on reality and has an odd penchant for silly hats. Then there are his coworkers, who are alternately evasive and idiotic when asked about anything pertaining to actually getting work done. Finally there's George, the employee Richard's replacing, who supposedly quit but whose family has just appeared on national TV pleading for his safe return. It's all adding up to a very strange workplace, and when the company goes on a retreat, everything spools quickly out of control.
From the author of Anna and Froga comes a wry, offbeat whodunnit that centers on office life. Anouk Ricard's subtle, sardonic humor undermines the characters' desperate attempts to be taken seriously, as they bungle kidnappings, misunderstand social cues, and let petty disagreements become feuds. Ricard's dim-witted characters aspire to deviousness but miss their mark, remaining firmly in the domain of slapstick. With cleverly observed dialogue, charming artwork, and brilliantly over-the-top plotting, Benson's Cuckoos will delight the adult fans of Ricard's comics for kids.

About this title

About the Author:

Anouk Ricard is an author, artist, and stop-motion animator who was born in the south of France. She began the Anna and Froga series in 2004. The book collections of the comic have received widespread acclaim, and Ricard has received multiple nominations for the Best Book Award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival. She lives in Lyon, France.

Review:

“In Anouk Ricard's gently bonkers satire, an everyman wage-earner endures the indignities foisted upon him by his zany boss and downtrodden co-workers. [Ricard] just barely cushion[s] her pointed jabs at the insular, dysfunctional families we construct at work.” ―The Globe & Mail

“Combine absurdity with Ricard's simplified, charming funny animal art style and you've got a very funny comic. Ricard has a healthy appreciation for the ridiculous that is as infectious here as it is in [her] Anna books.” ―Comic Book Resources

“[Benson's Cuckoos] is like a fever dream of workplace anxiety drawn by Richard Scarry for those worn down by the business grind... Those who've worked office jobs with self-important, rude, or clueless coworkers (and who hasn't?) will appreciate the satire.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Surreal workplace comedy as performed by anthropomorphic animals.” ―Tim O'Neil, AV Club

About this edition

• Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1770461388
• ISBN 13: 9781770461383
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96