Seven-year-old David Glum watches as his grandfather is abducted by a legendary herd of elephants. Twenty years later, after failing to sell his no...
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Oct 04, 2009
Daniel
rated it: 
Warning: One or two spoilers in the mix.
So I traded this book for a copy of my own and I don't regret it.
An elephant wind. That’s what this book is. You probably don’t know what that means. If you try to picture it your mind, you might get some idea of what the book is. You’ll definitely know what that means after you read the book and then you can decide whether that statement is accurate or not—but for now, perhaps it’s sufficient to say that the book is an elephant More...
Nov 20, 2009
F.R.
rated it: 
Such is the inflexibility of the Goodreads ranking system, I’ve been wondering whether to go for two or three stars, as really I’d give this book two and a half – but I’m feeling generous so I’ll go for three.
This is a quest tale which leans heavily into the absurdist/surrealist. For example there is a sandwich-maker/cobbler who sells hallucinogenic sandwiches. This kind of weirdness builds and builds until the reader is willing to accept virtually anything. However this quirkiness c More...
This is a quest tale which leans heavily into the absurdist/surrealist. For example there is a sandwich-maker/cobbler who sells hallucinogenic sandwiches. This kind of weirdness builds and builds until the reader is willing to accept virtually anything. However this quirkiness c More...
Oct 31, 2009
Andersen
rated it:
This is now available as a free .pdf or ePub download to Goodreads users (find the button on the right under the ads and stuff). Reviews appreciated. It's also available as a trade paperback and Kindle download on Amazon.
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May 31, 2009
Tortla
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
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Apr 17, 2009
Jasmine
rated it:
I read this book backwards, or at least semi backwards. I read it from the top of the blog down, so I read the chapters frontwards in the backwards order. Why would I do this? I felt like it. Perhaps someday I will reread it in the frontwards order. I think chapter 18 is the best chapter and that it has a fun feel where the story seems to be attempting to be about a beard regardless of all the other silly things going on, though perhaps I am title bias. Regardless it isn't particularly long and
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Jul 22, 2011
Mike
rated it: 
From the quaint Ernest Hemingway nod in the first couple of pages to the final notes on the home toward the end of the novel, Andersen Prunty's THE BEARD reads like the Great American novel of 2009 that never was.
THE BEARD begins by asking the interesting question: "what happens to the authentic character when it is subject to strange situations?"
There is a moment in THE BEARD, shortly after the introduction, when the main character, David Glum, appearing to More...
THE BEARD begins by asking the interesting question: "what happens to the authentic character when it is subject to strange situations?"
There is a moment in THE BEARD, shortly after the introduction, when the main character, David Glum, appearing to More...
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Oct 07, 2011
George
rated it:
Great introduction, however the book never lives up to the standard Prunty sets in the prologue. The beginning reminded me of Bradbury. The body was the usual prose found in bizarro fiction.
It's an enjoyable book. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't already enjoy Prunty's work or the bizarro genre, though.
Prunty missed out on turning this into one of the great travel novels of the new century.
It's an enjoyable book. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't already enjoy Prunty's work or the bizarro genre, though.
Prunty missed out on turning this into one of the great travel novels of the new century.
Feb 15, 2011
Lance
rated it:
If William Burroughs had anal sex with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and they had a butt-baby that wrote like Dean Koontz and the Dean Koontz butt-baby ghost-wrote an autobiography for Justin Beiber, it would be nothing like Andersen Prunty’s THE BEARD. I say that because I like THE BEARD and I do not like ghost-writing butt-babies. With that being said, I will heartily recommend this book. This is a story of scruffy facial hair and hallucinogenic sandwiches and elephant winds and father imposter
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Feb 16, 2010
Kate
rated it:
If you like Salvador Dali, you'll enjoy this book.
David Glum was first a writer. Then a napper. Then a beard grower. After that he became an unemployed philosopher. Then an adventurer, until finally he found his calling as a dreamer.
Come along, if you dare, on this surreal journey with David and his father. It will be full of trippy bus rides, imposters, hallucinogenic sandwiches, Nefarions from the Malific ocean, elephant winds, lawn mowing maniacs, and last but cert More...
David Glum was first a writer. Then a napper. Then a beard grower. After that he became an unemployed philosopher. Then an adventurer, until finally he found his calling as a dreamer.
Come along, if you dare, on this surreal journey with David and his father. It will be full of trippy bus rides, imposters, hallucinogenic sandwiches, Nefarions from the Malific ocean, elephant winds, lawn mowing maniacs, and last but cert More...
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Dec 29, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
I discovered Andersen Prunty through the Bizarro community. Even so the books I’ve read from him are more horror, or thriller than anything else. His book The Beard on the other hand is pure Bizarro fun. It’s a very original adventure narrated by David Glum, who after failing to get his first book published decides to go home and grow a beard. David sets out on a journey to find his grandfather who was kidnapped by the Nefarions. There are lots of interesting and bizarre characters throughout th
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Nov 12, 2011
Sean
rated it:
I would usually consider calling a book "delightful" to be an insult, but this book was delightful in a good way.Fun, funny, weird. Sometimes tries too hard to be weird, but I have learned to forgive.
Jun 13, 2010
Jim
rated it:
check out my huge long review of this book on my blog:
http://www.jimgavin.net/2009/12/review-b...
http://www.jimgavin.net/2009/12/review-b...
Mar 03, 2010
Kipp
rated it:
Another great read from Andersen Prunty taking you on a journey of what dreams are made of
Jan 04, 2010
Chris
rated it:
After reading Andersen Prunty's The Beard, I doubt if I'll ever have the courage to shave again.
Not really. Actually, I finished it last night, and shaved today. There's nothing scary in this book about beards (or shaving). It it not horror, but it is an immensely enjoyable read. This book would make an excellent introduction to the world of Bizarro fiction. Lots of strange characters and settings, but no weird-for-the-sake-of-weird. Heavy on the fun and subtle humo
Not really. Actually, I finished it last night, and shaved today. There's nothing scary in this book about beards (or shaving). It it not horror, but it is an immensely enjoyable read. This book would make an excellent introduction to the world of Bizarro fiction. Lots of strange characters and settings, but no weird-for-the-sake-of-weird. Heavy on the fun and subtle humo
Apr 15, 2009
Grant
rated it:
Great novel. Prunty tells the tale of David Glum who grows a beard while embarking on a surreal journey. He attempts to find himself and his purpose in life.Full of mythology and adventure,The Beard questions identity and is sure to please any fan of weird fiction.Plus,it's free.
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Feb 06, 2010
Nathaniel
rated it:
Loved it. If Holden Caulfield rented a timeshare in Vegas, only to find out he double booked with Hunter Thompson, and then they both sat down over a buffett of mind-altering drugs and wrote a book, I THINK it might be something like THE BEARD.
BEHOLD THE POWER OF FACIAL HAIR.
BEHOLD THE POWER OF FACIAL HAIR.
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May 08, 2011
Kate
rated it:
The Beard by Andersen Prunty is an excellent introduction to the bizzaro genre. The story follows a dream logic and is surreal at times. It is never difficult for the sake of being difficult or weird for the sake of weirdness. The book has a fascinating internal logic that leads the reader toward the goal of finding brilliance. Sprinkled along the way the author drops gems of sparkling insight.
Jul 30, 2011
Donald
rated it:
Imagine having an impostor of your self or people around you. In this Hallucinogen eating sandwich story with the works. will have you laughing at David Glum who just wanted To get his book published.
A MUST READ!
Now excuse me while I got take a nap and grow a beard.
A MUST READ!
Now excuse me while I got take a nap and grow a beard.
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