swift’s grasp on verbal irony is key to the success of this proposal. any falter would result in the poignancy of swift’s plea to deteriorate.

ridiculous situations require ridiculous pleas

This audiobook version narrated by John Gonzalez struck the right tone for the mix of dispassionate rhetoric and winking satire. This work's place in history would afford it a much higher rating, but it does go on a bit too long in macabre details to be an enjoyable read today.

This essay did remind me of a similarly macabre book of cartoons addressing the subject of how to deal with the members of "the surplus population" back in the early 80s—101 Uses for the Unemployed.

Twisted. Satire in 1729 was very different- no wonder the American colonies rebelled.

"A Modest Proposal" is one of the political essays collected in this little book, written by Jonathan Swift in the 1700s.

It's a satire proposing a solution to famine in Ireland -- a solution that is shocking, absurd, and laugh-out-loud funny. I had no idea what this book was about before I started it and couldn't believe my eyes at first when I read about the economical benefits of eating... human babies.

The other essays are interesting as well, also criticizing the state of affairs through witty humor and irony or simply expressing concern. I liked this quote especially:
"[...] the true causes of any countries flourishing and growing rich [...]. The sixth is by being governed only by laws made with their own consent; for otherwise they are not a free people."