Jules Okapi: 11 books

“On Individualism and Conformity: Borat, Wall Street and the Problem with Cults,” embarks on a discussion of the current conceptions of individualism and identity in the United States, and how this gets warped in such a way as to actually reinforce conformity and compliance. This is the first...

A personal and theoretical look at “Liber Primus,” the first of the collection of books written by psychologist Carl Jung that were collectively entitled “The Red Book.” Unpublished until October of 2009, “The Red Book” is considered by many, including Jung himself, to be the foundation...

Drug-crazed, iconic, outrageous--Hunter S. Thompson’s own reputation as the rock star writer of the 1970s obscured the meaning behind much of his work, even for many of his fans. An essay on Hunter S. Thompson as a journalist, and the implications and intention behind his style of “gonzo journalism” on current day media…as well as what set him apart.

Marla's boyfriend, Billy, might live a little too much in a fantasy world. Then again, Marla sees lemurs in the apple tree outside and wonders if the little man she sees screaming at her from Billy's shoulder is really there. Insanity might be one way to get out of a bad relationship. Following your...

Due to an untimely mishap with a runaway piano, a thief and a homeless lady with a very pointy umbrella, Harold meets an unusual segment of the neighborhood, all of whom live inside a single tree planter box on a New York City Street. Keywords: absurdist, dark humor, metaphysical, visionary, city life, New York, philosophical, caffeine, coffee, humor, magical realism

Didier lives life as a normal, largish elephant in Mumbai, India with his mother and the rest of the herd owned by Mr. Rahol. Discontent with his elephant life, Didier wonders if he’d prefer to be another animal, instead. His mother tells fantastic tales of the wild, before humans captured her and...

Tugli lives happily in a metal box on a friendly street where vendors hawk wares and a Buddhist stupa sits at his back. Everything pretty much goes the same way for a long time, until one day, the pickle lady stops delivering the pickles. After that, a disgruntled monkey, a three-legged dog and a...

Semi-autobiographical but mostly fantastical essay on growing up in the outdoors of California in the 1970s, and the importance of having family just as quirky and not-quirky as you are. A coming of age story not really about adolescence, but maybe about being an oddball among oddballs. Keywords:...

A successful, beige-wearing businesswoman makes an art of minding her own business, blending in, not making waves. But after hundreds of identical business motivational conventions, each with their own system for getting ahead, maximizing her potential, executing success, demonstrating excellence…she...

Calling the new girl, Lucy, odd ends up more than a tad bit of understatement. In a short period of time, she frees Amber of her inhibitions, her prestigious corporate project, her teeth, her sense of style…and her sanity. A bizarre tale of corporate cannibalism…or a generous sacrifice for a fellow...

Priscilla putters along in her usual life of bridge and gossip and coffee shops and shopping at the local markets in the small Indian town where she lives. Until one morning, a mysterious man known only as the Pharsee gives her a box. The thing is filthy, twitchy and just plain wrong…but...