The Age of the Tail by H. Aleen Smith, is one of the most absurd books I’ve ever read, yet it cleverly mirrors human behavior and societal norms. This satirical novel explores a world where humans grow tails, unraveling the bizarre reactions of governments, media and individuals. Published in the 1941, the book tells the story of a world where humans suddenly begin to grow tails. While it sounds ridiculous at first, the book cleverly uses this weird phenomenon to explore human behavior, societal norms, and cultural trends. Beneath its humor lies a critical commentary on how humanity responds to change and the lengths we go to normalize the absurd.
The more I delved into this book, the more I realized that it wasn’t just a funny story. It reflected aspects of our society that we rarely think about, that is, how we adapt to or exploit novelty, how we let the media shape our beliefs, and how quickly we create hierarchies around what’s “in” or “out.”
The World of Tails
The story begins with the sudden birth of children with tails—an event that baffles humanity. Governments, initially confused and suspicious, spy on one another to confirm whether this phenomenon is localized or global. As is typical of human nature, no one openly discusses the “tail situation” until it becomes too big to ignore, much like how societies today often tiptoe around uncomfortable truths until the media dictates what’s acceptable to discuss.
This initial secrecy quickly gives way to rampant theorizing. Some people insist the tails are a sign of divine intervention, while others label them as a freak mutation. Schools, governments, and religious institutions begin debating how to address the issue. The health and insurance industries scramble to adapt, creating policies for “tail-related injuries” and even cosmetic tail surgeries. Over time, tails evolve from being a biological anomaly to a cultural phenomenon.
Satirical Social Commentary
One of the book’s most amusing yet profound aspects is how it mirrors societal trends. For instance, there’s a point where tails become a fad. Celebrities flaunt their tails in movies, sparking a surge in tail-related fashion and accessories. This reflects how we often wait for public figures to validate something before it becomes socially acceptable. The absurdity escalates with inventions like “kitty guards” (to prevent cats from latching onto tails) and public outrage over “tail scratching,” deemed an indecent act.
The book also critiques our collective susceptibility to trends. At one point, tail-readers emerge, akin to palm-readers, claiming they can interpret a person’s fortune through their tails. While some characters scoff at this, others defend it, saying, “We need something to believe in during these trying times.” This sentiment resonates with how, in challenging moments, society often clings to superstitions for comfort.
Hilarious Yet Absurd Moments
The book is packed with moments that are laugh-out-loud funny but carry deeper implications. For example:
- A President’s exasperated remark at the official naming ceremony for tails: “God dammit, Purdy, why do you always get sucked into things like this?”
- A couple’s domestic squabble over the husband’s twitchy tail, which prompts the wife to mutter, “How can I watch the show when your tail is jerking like a damn donkey engine?”
- A judge’s dramatic curse during a courtroom dispute: “A plague on all your tails!”
These moments highlight how human pettiness, bureaucracy, and even humor persist, no matter how strange the circumstances.
Deeper Themes
Beyond the humor, The Age of the Tail dives into significant themes like morality, power dynamics, and societal control. The formation of a “Bureau of Manners and Morals” reflects humanity’s desire to regulate behavior and maintain order, even in the face of chaos. The bureau’s attempts to enforce decorum around tail-related conduct parallel real-life societal policing of norms.
The book also critiques our tendency to prioritize negativity over positivity. As one character observes, “The public is prone to believe evil over good,” referencing how rumors and scandals spread like wildfire compared to uplifting stories. This rings true even today, where bad news often dominates headlines.
The Tail as a Symbol
What makes this book truly fascinating is how the tail becomes a multifaceted symbol. It represents individuality, yet also conformity. It’s a source of pride for some and shame for others. This duality is reflective of how society often assigns meaning to arbitrary things. For instance, what starts as a biological feature quickly becomes a marker of identity, status, and even morality.
The book suggests that what we deem “normal” is often arbitrary and influenced by external factors. If tails seem absurd, so too are many of the customs and trends we blindly follow today.
Personal Reflections
Reading, The Age of the Tail, was both a hilarious and thought-provoking experience. While its premise initially seemed ridiculous, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the book’s absurdity and our own world. It made me question how much of what we consider “normal” is shaped by media, societal pressures, or collective hysteria.
For instance, the book’s portrayal of celebrities normalizing tails reminded me of how influential figures often dictate what’s trendy or acceptable. The tail-readers’ rise in popularity highlighted our tendency to seek meaning in the mystical or unexplained, especially in turbulent times.
On a deeper level, the book also reminded me of the absurdities we accept in our daily lives. While we may not have tails, we do have countless social constructs that, when examined closely, are just as peculiar. It’s a reminder to question norms, think critically, and find humor in life’s absurdities.