Eddie Coffin, a down and out philosopher, wakes up after a night of debauchery to find himself naked in a strange house, surrounded by child pornography. Having convinced the police of his innocence, he flees to France to start anew. Soon, he meets Hubert, a small time criminal with one arm and a thirst for knowledge. Penniless, the unlikely duo decide to begin robbing banks. These aren't your typical bank robberies; each one is based on a school of philosophical thought.
As always, Fischer's mastery of language is the draw here. The underlying concept is zany to say the least, almost bordering on the absurd, but the fast pace and almost omnipresent comic turns allow readers to connect with the characters. The dialogue is wonderful, and I found myself wondering, as Hubert does, what the next blend of high philosophy and crime would be. On another level, Fischer is examining the terrible lows and dizzying highs that we can experience in this life. Always hilarious and at times touching, The Thought Gang is a book I will revisit.
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