Holding a Funhouse Mirror Up to Humanity

As a writer for The Colbert Report, Frank Lesser has been part of many short satirical segments that mine for humor while maintaining a sharp edge of social commentary in the overcrowded world of politics and current events. Rather than making real news look outlandish, Sad Monsters: Growling On The Outside, Crying On The Inside reverses the formula by grounding the fantastical in the mundane. It’s entering an overcrowded market with a much softer outlook than Colbert, but still manages to maintain an endearing sweetness over its 39 short essays.