In English disparate means "different" or "miscellaneous"—apt
descriptors of these essays by Patrick Madden. In Spanish, however,
disparate means "nonsense," "folly," or "absurdity,"—words
appropriate to Madden's goal of undercutting any notion that essays
must be serious business. Thus, in this collection, the essays are
frivolous and lively, aiming to make readers laugh while they think
about such abstract subjects as happiness and memory and
unpredictability. In this vein, Madden takes sidelong swipes at
weighty topics via form, with wildly meandering essays, abandoned
essays in honor of the long tradition of essayists disparaging
their own efforts, and guerrilla essays—which slip in quietly under
the guise of a borrowed form, abruptly attack, and promptly escape,
leaving laughter and contemplation in their wake. Madden also
incorporates cameos from guest essayists, including Mary Cappello,
Matthew Gavin Frank, David Lazar, Michael Martone, Jericho Parms,
and Wendy S. Walters, much like a musician features other
performers.Disparates reflects the current zeitgeist by taking on
important issues with a touch of cleverness, a dash of humor, and a
little help from one's friends. Read Chapter 1.