In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book.
Ron Pullins’s Book Notes satirical novel Dollartorium is a brilliantly absurdist depiction of capitalism.
Kirkus wrote of the book:
“A boisterous and thoughtful journey through the absurdities of modern capitalism.“
In her own words, here is Ron Pullins’s Book Notes music playlist for his novel Dollartorium:
Writing the Dollartorium was an exercise in anger which I hoped to temper with satire, absurdity and a sense of hope at the beginning and end. These songs reflect the satire I felt or the values that underlie my own feelings and something of my own reaction to the events of the novel, both the good and the not so good. This list reflects the many tones in the book. We are deeply affected, personally and as a society, by the growth of money culture and the values instilled by our capitalistic and materialistic cultural milieu.
- “Corn Dog Blues,” Robin Williams
Nothing like a little country blues to set the tone for the world of this novel which opens on Ralph’s little corn dog shop in rural Kansas where he makes and sells the best corn dogs in the world, a peaceful, if not somewhat sad Midwestern world, a mixture of blues and yearning for understanding (Plato) soon to be disturbed by the advent of the Money Master. - “Corn Dogs,” Ryan Shupe and The Rubberband
On the other hand we are talking about corn dogs, so there is an underlying humor in centering the story around making the perfect corn dog. Yet, those corn dogs are mighty tasty to some of us. So let’s not forget that this is satire, and funny, and that the novel is centered on a bit absurdity. Ralph’s shop is, after all, the Corny Doo Doggery. - “Money, Money.” Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey
Well, here comes the Money Master, hopping out of television and dancing on the counter at the Corny Doo Doggery with a weltanschauung appropriate for those yearning to be rich. You can almost feel this is The Weimar Republic the Money Master is promising. - “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars
The aim of the Dollartorium is to produce billionaires. This could be Phyllis’ song, her desire, her dream, her fantasy for wealth and a desire to be part of the elite. - “Hammond Song,” The Roches
Stella implores her father not to leave for the Dollartorium, sensing the danger of him being lost to the world of the Dollartorium such that he might never come back. The Roches sing in both crystal clear voices, but carry a full set of emotional complex feelings. - “Fame and Wealth,” Loudon Wainwright III
This is the Sycophant’s song. Ralph meets him at the entryway to the Dollartorium. This song reflects his attitude. I love it that it is a lonely cry. Such is the result of selfish greed studied and learned. - “The Banks Are Made of Marble,” Pete Seeger
Ralph studies business institutions and practices at the Dollartorium, including banks, bankers, money and loans. “The Banks Are Made of Marble” captures a more serious tone in a 1930s protest song. The novel is satire as protest. I frequent many of the protest songs of the era. It is a call to action. - “Little Boxes,” Pete Seeger
Like the Dollartorium, this Pete Seeger song of satire expresses a world awash in marketing and perfunctory work, all standard and without quality, like frozen corn dogs, another lesson from the Dollartorium. - “Rich People,” Carsie Blanton
Another social critique of the rich. - “Selling Out,” Tom Lehrer
Ralph eventually becomes convinced that the Dollartorium way is the way for him, and he sells out. - “Money” by Pink Floyd
Once inside the Dollartorium when Ralph gets his own money machine and pumps it, like the many others pumping their own money machines, attempting to get rich, the tone changes, and here we experience a sardonic take on the corrupting power of money. It’s an unsustainable world, discordant, crazy making. - “What Did you Learn at School Today?” Tom Lehrer
Off Ralph goes to the Dollartorium to learn a few lessons in getting rich, not unlike the lessons Tom Lehrer finds students learning about government, power and abuse. The lessons of how to get rich, why to get rich, the benefits of the power that comes from the accumulation of wealth are as subtle, but as persuasive. - “Danny’s Song (Even though we ain’t got money),” Loggins and Messina
To ease the angst I use sometimes bitter satire, but I also think there is value in love and lives lived out from under the pressure of money. I wanted to end the work on a positive and human note. This song reflects that. Hopefully it becomes Ralph’s and Phyllis’ song. - “Big Yellow Taxi,” Joni Mitchell
After the collapse of the Dollartorium, Ralph and Stella return to the simple, honest work of making corn dogs, realizing the value of what they had all along. This song works as the warning sign for all who are tempted to enter the Dollartorium.
Ron Pullins is a writer working in Tucson AZ. His works have been published in numerous journals including Typishly (Editor’s Choice), Southwest Review, Shenandoah, Sunspot, etc., and been nominated for Pushcart. Pullins won the 2022 Malcolm Lowry award for Dollartorium. He also published the novella, Ice Dancing. His plays, long and short, have won awards and been produced from coast to coast. A piece of his novel in progress, The Loin, was featured in a radio podcast by Mauhaus Productions.