Wow! Insane-O-Tron by Nick Alverson is just what the title says…Insane! There are some writers out there that leave me in awe in terms of their creativity and just trying to figure out how their minds work. Based on this book, I would definitely say that this is true of author Nick Alverson. Each of the six short stories in his book took me on a wild ride of adventure, humor and even a few warm fuzzies. Even the character names (Fruitcup Smith, Mallard Quackenbush, Ms. Crabenscab) made me giggle, not to mention the author’s creative way of re-naming common trademarked items like “Murcedes Bents” cars and the Timeosaurs from “Cretaceous Park.”

Insane-O-Tron is a wild romp of a book, from the first of the six shorts to the last. You'll laugh and be intrigued by all of the stories. Never in my life did I ever think I would read a story about an earwig named Ernie, but I'm glad I did! I think many readers would love it, but it might have a special appeal for young men who love adventure, goofiness and humor all at once. When reading Nick Alverson’s work, I frequently found myself marveling at the inventive way he twisted and turned his tales. He is a true creative, a story-teller for sure. If I had to sum up all the stories in Insane-O-Tron in one word, that word would be FUN! Read and enjoy at your own risk!

Insane-O-Tron by Nick Alverson is a collection of six fun and wild stories that all take place in the same unique universe. The main story follows Tommy and his talking haircut, Harry, as they try to stop a villain and travel back millions of years in time to save humanity. In The Family Family, Scott Scotterson, a TV writer whose career has stalled, is asked to turn a safe, family-friendly show into a wild, over-the-top comedy, causing chaos for the actors and viewers. Other stories include a father dealing with his daughter’s date with a duck, a plastic pumpkin facing the end of trick-or-treating days, an earwig enjoying a summer day in the gutter, and a pony named Gooch using dance to fight a dragon. Every story in the collection combines humor, adventure, and warmth, so you’re constantly smiling and curious about what will happen next.

Reading Nick Alverson's Insane-O-Tron is like stepping into a world where anything can happen. Alverson balances really funny, absurd moments with real feelings. Watching Scott turn a family TV show upside down is both humorous and a little crazy, and Tommy’s adventures through time are exciting and unpredictable. The duck and pumpkin stories are delightful and easy to connect with—they’ve got that mix of humor and little moments of heart you see in real life. Ernie and Gooch are very different, showing bravery in ways that surprise you. The book moves fast, is full of laughs, and even the strange bits feel important. It’s a read for anyone who likes fun, imaginative stories that also make you care about what happens to the characters.

Insane-O-Tron by Nick Alverson consists of six insane stories. One story, called The Family Family, is about a TV show that needs to improve its ratings or the network will be cut. The Network Vice President is desperate. He turns to an infamous writer, Scott Scotterson, who is known for his shows that are vulgar and offensive. Scott is confident that his bizarre, imaginative writing is brilliant despite many people in the industry feeling the opposite. When the actors in The Family Family show read about what their characters must do, they are angry. But Scott is not going to play it safe. He tells everyone on set to trust him. The actors are left on tenterhooks, not knowing what their characters will have to endure next.

Insane-O-Tron by Nick Alverson is not your average collection of stories, but it will gather its own fan following. Alverson has great vision and writes wonderfully. However, some people might feel it is inappropriate to write about ponies who use expletives and speak in an adult tone, as in the story, Brave Pony. I found The Family Family the best and most memorable story. Mallard Quackenbush was another strange but riveting story. I thought the scenes were excellently played out. The description of the main character, the father, in his emotional distress, who experienced inner turmoil because his daughter went on a date with a duck, was brilliant. I would say the stories are like an adult cartoon because they are filled with potentially offensive scenes, but with plenty of funny moments and hilarious lines.