FRESH LIES

Herewith another collection of comical syndicated columns along the lines of Lewis Grizzard's or, in particular, Dave Barry's. Author Lileks (Falling Up the Stairs, 1988, etc.) turns out to be a heavyweight contender. Working out of Washington, Lileks eschews the temptation to issue punditry from within the Beltway, and instead presses into service all the standard shtick of his profession. Here are funny lists, quizzes, and the ageless litany of comic woes, including obligatory nods to train and air travel, TV commercials, pop music, shoes, and sex. There is even a visit to what is certainly the same banking establishment that demolished Father Leacock when the century was barely adolescent. Lileks does it with a lively intelligence and a somewhat deft daftness. He takes on the funny sides of voice mail and of suicide as well. As philosopher, he concludes that ``the problem with nihilism is that there's nothing behind it.'' Equally undeniable: ``of the four elements, fire is the psychopath.'' Lileks has his writerly way with figures of speech, likening the Jolly Green Giant to a ``lurid golem.'' He confronts a clerk with ``a face so hard that an air bag would probably blow from her nose if you tried to kiss her.'' Meanwhile, two of the most sturdy pieces deal engagingly and accurately with diverse aspects of the life of contemporary writers—first with the rigors of a book tour, then with life on a presidential campaign trail. And there is the definitive profile of Wile E. Coyote. (Future biographers of Mr. Elmer Fudd should not ignore the revelations here.) A generally pleasing collection by another clever columnist who may give the other guys a run for their funny.