Ron Goulart’s After Things Fell Apart (1970) not only has one of the neatest titles of any post-apocalypse novel, it is also very funny. In this satirical science fiction detective, the prominent comics expert gives us a look at 70’s America that still delights. Apart from the Nixon Institute for Oral History (a lot of tape recording going on there …), Goulart has introduced me (albeit in passing) to La Penna, the most vocally consistent satyr in all sf. La Penna certainly gives new meaning to the phrase one-track-minded. I’ll leave you with my favorite example:
“I figured. I was going to try for one more with the nitwit over there.” He shrugged. “Just as well. She’d probably complain. We get out here in the fog where there’s no rattling air conditioner and she starts worrying about the humidity. Now, Haley, I enjoy a good conversation. But humping is special. I wouldn’t say exactly screwing is sacred, but I don’t like a lot of extra talking. Noise or music, doesn’t distract me. Nor screaming and cries of joy and ecstasy. Talk, though. I may have an especially sensitive diddlywacker. A voice pitched a certain way affects it. It goes limp. Fwap like that. In India they can work that on snakes. Maybe on your pecker, too. With the caste system they still got over there, I’m not sure who can screw who. You take this nitwit …”
Ron Goulart, After Things Fell Apart, p.113