Arkin, Alan

The Lemming Condition

Harper:
New York: 1989
Trade paperback,
58 pp
Cover artwork by: Joan Sandin

Was $9.00. We have a friend named Jim. Jim was absolutely adamant about this book. He insisted Cindy and I read it. Jim’s never like that. So we ordered it. And I read it. Now I know why. It’s terrific. Yes, it’s a book packaged to appeal to kids, but the story and the message is timeless. Alan Arkin is a Genius. Go rent CATCH 22 and see if you don’t agree. Anyway, never mind that. This little number has seen about twenty printings. I guess Jim’s not the only guy that thinks it’s swell. Lemmings. There’s a lot of them these days. I’ll admit to lemming-like tendencies myself occasionally. Don’t raise lemmings. Don’t be one yourself. Reading this book will won’t make you lemming-proof but, like all great books, it will help you to see yourself and your fellow lemmings, I mean humans, in a new and revealing light.   #15171