Kasper Hauser's second book, Weddings of the Times: A Parody is officially out, and officially in the hands of aspecialthing.com. Not only does Weddings deliver on the promise of a hilarious follow-up to SkyMaul: Happy Crap You Can Buy From a Plane, but comedy fans may recognize accompanying photographs of Artemis Bold, Virginia Johnson, Emily Harcutt, Marshall Ditus III, and Dean Van Wyck ... or, as they're better known, Bob Odenkirk, Laura Silverman, Mary Van Note, Chris Hardwick, and John Hodgman (plus many others!). Among the several opportunities to laugh out loud and instigate dirty looks from jealous, illiterate partners are the salient first-aid instructions in the "Wedding Medical Emergencies" section, which include entries such as:
BEE STING ALLERGY
Pour soda water on the bee to neutralize it, then flick it into a wall. Give the allergic person his shot, being careful not to give yourself any of the shot. If there is leftover shot, spray it out, or give the rest of it to the allergic person.
FALL
If a person has fallen, there is no cure, but you can do things to make the person more comfortable while waiting for the outcome. Feed the person the same as what any other guests get: treat them as equals.
Prospective brides may find the flowchart for choosing the perfect dress for their body types very helpful—"Can you see your feet?" [if NO, then] "Plus size" [then] "Cheetah skin!"; Grooms-to-be might enjoy a list of books they might enjoy, including #2: "Raising Your Game: Making Your Third Wedding Kick A$$!," described as "an inspiring guide for repeat grooms written by sit-ups World Champion and 'King of Vitamins,' Rick Bermudez. Includes a chapter on firecrackers." And history buffs might be turned on by the relationship retrospectives of Odysseus and Penelope (pull quote: "We killed a lot of people") or Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, ten years later.
While the extras are great, the announcements themselves form a solid and compelling core to Weddings of the Times. All of the pieces are a little absurd, but their individual tones range from snarky, to poignant, to tragic, to completely absurd. John Hodgman sums it up best in the foreword:
"These are not parodies, but little human stories, full of want and hope, even when they involve falconry."
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