Online - July 18, 2006

Grin and Bear It

“Winkie,” by Clifford Chase

Ever bum-rush your bedroom, hoping to discover teddy continuing the tea party without you? Well, sure.

Ever think you’d find him contemplating his transgender past while fleeing the feds? Well, no.

So Winkie, the title character of Clifford Chase’s first novel, will be something new. Surreal and Sedaris-esque, the book opens with teddy getting arrested for terrorism.

As a young, misshapen stuffed animal, Winkie endures a fickle love: one day held and adored, the next day callously tossed aside. He craves attention yet resents his neediness. (Sound familiar?) After years of neglect, Winkie comes to life — discovering the joys of freedom, companionship, and pooping.

At his inane witch trial, Winkie is prosecuted for 9,678 crimes, including treason, blasphemy, and corrupting the youth of Athens.

Now, Chase might be using the bear as a postmodern allegory to critique the politics behind the war on terror. But maybe he simply had bigger plans for his plushies than the occasional genteel scone-fest.

Apparently, that’s just not Winkie’s cup of tea.

Available online at amazon.com.