SOLVED. Obscure Psychedelic cult classic [s]

[Jodi]

Looking for a cult classic psychedelic book about the future. The world is overpopulated. There are food shortages. The government put mind suggestive drugs in the water making the population believe everything is beautiful, but in reality its post-apocalyptic. Reading a book can be digested in pill form. Algebra capsules will enlighten you within hours as needed. Ringing any bells?

[Kris]

Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner?

[Jodi]

No, but thanks. The book I'm looking for was almost humorous. Only a handful of people were not on the mind altering water supply. 4 star restaurants were actually bombed out building remains. A beautifully roasted chicken was actually recycled garbage molded in the shape of a chicken.
I can only remember bits and pieces. Arrggghh!

[Andy]

Barefoot in the Head I think

[Jodi]

Wow! So close, but no. I'm getting some great reading suggestions though, so lets keep going. Ha!

[Jodi]

Another clue.
The rats in the sewer system were hallucinating from the water supply.
They spoke with a NY accent and played cards-
Almost like Brave New World meets Alice in Wonderland

[Andy]

Hmm. I was going to suggest "Gun, With Occasional Music" in which drugs play a big part, but that doesn't seem to fit either.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Jodi, are you still looking for this book?

[Jodi]

Yeah. I am!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

What year (about) was this published? Do you remember the cover? Can we assume it's set in the U.S. since the rats have NY accents?

[Jodi]

If you read all my comments, it sounds like a great book. I'd love to read it again.

[Jodi]

Yes. American psychedelic about 66-70?

[Angharad]

Maybe The Futurological Congress: From the Memoirs of Ijon Tichy?

[Jodi]

Dear God!
I think that may be it!!!

[Jodi]

From comments on The Futurological Congress...
"In a society where drugs are used to facilitate any mood or to convey knowledge chemically, what can be trusted of reality? Written in the early 70's"
Many people say the book is laugh out loud funny. This HAS to be it. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

[Justanotherbiblophile]

You can move this thread to the tentatively solved folder, or the solved folder (depending on how well you like the suggestion) by hitting the edit button after the subject/title line, and selecting the appropriate folder.

If you order/find/acquire the book, and find out it's not the correct one, you can always move this thread back to unsolved, and bump it. :)