By Annette Cinelli

It’s not too often that you find a book that combines evolutionary biology, hot dogs, and Gwen Stefani. In fact I think it’s safe to say that Evan Mandery’s Dreaming of Gwen Stefani is the only one out there. It may seem like an odd grouping, but it actually works very well; the book is unique, funny, and thought-provoking.

Mortimer Taylor Coleridge, a Columbia University dropout who is now the most efficient employee at Papaya Queen, is the central character. His life changes one day when he sees the VH1 Behind the Music special on No Doubt. He instantly decides that Gwen Stefani is his soul mate. From there on he becomes obsessed with her and when he reads that Papaya Queen hot dogs are her favorite food, he begins preparing for the day he will meet her. But to find out what happens when that day actually comes, you’re going to have to pick up a copy of this excellent book.

The book is a fascinating take on society’s obsession with celebrities. It is interesting to read about Mortimer’s obsession with Gwen because it’s intellectual rather then sexual. What turns Mortimer on to Gwen are the lyrics in her songs. In many of them she questions life, wondering what it all means.

These lyrics strike a chord with Mortimer because of an evolutionary biology class he took when he was still a student at Columbia. In it the professor asked, “What separates man from other animals? What makes humans human?” The students created a long list which included ability to reason, language, art, agriculture, and more. Throughout the semester, Professor Fillmore Skinny went through the list and, “…Explained how the type of behavior in question had a direct analogue in other animal behavior and the overwhelming evidence that it had been genetically programmed.” The semester ended with love being the only element left on the board, and even that had a question mark after it. This led Mortimer to question the meaning of life and decide that humans do not have free will and are no different then other animals. When he listens to Gwen’s lyrics, which question why she loves the man she does, who she is supposed to be in this world, and what life is all about, he feels that he has found a kindred spirit.

The book is not only thoughtful, but funny as well. There is a great scene with Mortimer confiding in a man who doesn’t speak English; he ends up with the complete wrong idea based on the few words he recognizes. There’s also a certain type of person out there (myself included) who will enjoy how Mortimer corrects the grammar in Gwen’s lyrics, including the first line of their hit “Don’t Speak,” with the hopes that the album will be re-released as the Grammatically Correct Version.

I highly recommend Dreaming of Gwen Stefani to people looking for a different type of book that will not only entertain them, but also give them something new to think about, something that looks at life from a new perspective.

One on One with Evan Mandery, author of Dreaming of Gwen Stefani

Pulse: How did you come up with the idea for writing the novel?

Evan: There were 3 separate ideas, the determinism stuff, Gwen Stefani, and the fact that I live near Papaya Queen hot dog stand on upper west side. They somehow became linked and led to the book.

P: Why did you choose Gwen Stefani for Mortimer’s celebrity obsession? Is she your celebrity obsession?

E: Gwen Stefani writes very seriously about existential themes in her music and I had this idea to do a funny book about a guy who questions whether we had free will. There was a synergy between her themes and what I wanted to talk about. Other artists I considered were Natalie Merchant, Bette Midler, Aimee Mann, and Charo…that last one would be funny if you knew who she was. Also I wanted somebody who was worthy of worship. She is smart and honest and direct with her lyrics; also she really talks about and questions free will. It was perfect for what I was trying to say.

I’m not the slightest bit attracted to her. My celebrity obsession is Andy Rooney; I’ve had a gay crush on him for about 25 years.

P: A big part of Mortimer’s infatuation with Gwen Stefani seems to come from the lyrics to her songs. How do you think he would feel about her new, well, less than thought provoking hits like “Holla Back Girl?”

E: Mortimer would clearly not approve of “Holla Back Girl,” but he would approve of several songs on Sweet Escape and Love Angel Music Baby. If you listen carefully to the first hit from Love Angel Music Baby it is really her asking herself why she’s not doing what she thinks she should be doing. She questions whether she is in control of herself.

P: What do you think people will take away from this story?

E: I hope that they will have laughed and feel deeply unsettled. As absurd as his [Mortimer’s] life is, I don’t know that what he goes through is any different then what all of us go through. All of us are fascinated with celebrities and we all think we are in control, but really who knows?

P: Why should our Pulse readers go out and buy this book?

E: If they want to laugh, if they want to think, and if they like Gwen Stefani.