HOW TO DODGE A CANNONBALL

Dennard Dayle is a Jamaican American author who lives in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of Princeton University and received his MFA from Columbia University. His short fiction has appeared in the New Yorker, Clarkesworld, Matchbook, the Hard Times, and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. His first book was the short story collection Everything Abridged. Before taking up fiction and mischief as a full-time job, he was an advertising copywriter who dangerously flirted with stand-up comedy. He teaches as an adjunct at Columbia and recently made the rash decision to take up skateboarding.

“Grand dreams, inflated egos, and cruel twists of fate are often the stuff of great satires and this first novel by Dayle evokes such classic accounts of the human condition in conflict as Candide, Catch-22, and at least a couple of books by Evelyn Waugh. Historical burlesque as lively in invention as it is ingenious in execution.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“This epic novel channels the absurdity of Catch-22 and the whimsical invention of The Intuitionist. It’s a blast.”
—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“This is not the typical Civil War novel, but the dark humor and commentary on race, class, and the American experiment in the midst of its biggest test make for an entertaining, thought-provoking read.” —Library Journal

“A heightened examination of America, this funny historical novel puts Dayle’s comedic chops front and center.” —James Folta, LitHub

“Dennard Dayle’s second book certifies his talent. I can’t think of a wittier, more hilarious or more relevant young writer. How to Dodge a Cannonball is the great Civil War novel I didn’t know I needed, but now it is never leaving my shelf.” —Gary Shteyngart, New York Times bestselling author of Our Country Friends and Super Sad True Love Story

How to Dodge a Cannonball Discussion Questions

1. What’s the regiment of your bookclub called? I.e. “Harrow’s Harriers” fit in beside “The Wild Cat Regiment” and “Corn Exchange Regiment.” Put it to a vote with your reading group. If voting fails, fight it out.
2. What follows Anders around the war? What’s his Catch-22?
3. In many ways, Anders is a classic satirical fool. But they’re rarely wrong about everything. What intelligence is Anders missing, and what intelligence does he have? What does he learn? Make your diagnosis.
4. What about other fools throughout the book? Do they learn anything?
5. Allegiances to nations, armies, families, religions, races, genders, systems of government, and employers are freely adopted and abandoned in How to Dodge a Cannonball. What loyalties survive scrutiny, if any? Why?
6. Several unbalanced adults pitch their way of life to Anders. Who makes the best pitch? Worst? Why?
7. Letters, fliers, reviews, and an entire play are littered throughout the book. How did the collage of formats impact your reading experience? Any favorites?
8. On said play: which ending of The Mechanical Abacus is closer to your vision of the future? How would your version end?
9. Play some rounds of Marry/Date/Kill:

Round 1 – Thomas, Joaquin, Mole

Round 2 – Lee, Pickett, Ewell

Round 3 – Harrow, McClellan, Columbia I

Round 4 – Gleason, Wendy, Slade

10. After chasing valor, Anders concludes that earning your freedom is an insult, and dying for it is a tragedy. Not quite the company line. Do you agree with that sentiment? Why?
11. If it weren’t besieged, could San Valentin be saved? Should it be? How do you save a state in cult-like denial about its own origins and fortune?
12. Gleason answers Anders’s not-so-hypothetical question on race with “I’d stay white”. What do you think of his reasoning: “Black Anders is a confused mockery of Northern and Southern values. And ours”.
13. How exactly do you dodge a cannonball?