Edited by T Cooper & Adam Mansbach

Publisher: Akashic

Absurd alternate histories seem to be the genre du jour. If the powers that be are going to do it, why shouldn’t writers give all of American history similar treatment? “Alternate history” doesn’t quite cover it with this anthology. Not when there’s a pioneer named Gore, perhaps not so incidentally, who resumes his westward travels after being “murdered, eaten and shat out.” Whatever you want to call this eclectic collection of cartoons, fake interviews and short stories, there’s an impressive range of funny, bizarre and literary work—not surprising with a lineup including Amy Bloom, Ron Kovic, Neal Pollack and Sarah Schulman. 

America’s “history” begins with its discovery by the Chinese in Alexander Chee’s Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon-esque “Wampeshau.” Huck Finn is hilariously recast by Kate Bornstein as a Southern Belle tranny hooker lovingly engaging in light B&D with a Yankee officer. The collection riffs on actual history in Felicia Luna Lemus’ “Five and Dime Valentine,” where the 1937 Woolworth Strike serves as the backdrop for the start of a sweet lifelong lesbian love affair. And then there’s the funniest cartoon on poll tax ever.

A Fictionalized History reminds us to either rage mightily or lighten up and read some fiction that’s not pretending to be otherwise. After all, as the reconstituted pioneer said to himself after being cannibalized, “We’re all just passing through.” 

August 10. Reading with T Cooper, Adam Mansbach, Kate Bornstein, et. al. Barnes & Noble Astor Place, 4 Astor Place (at Broadway), 212-420-1322 ;7, Free.