Poetry. THE MEAN GAME--John Wall Barger's fourth book-length entry in what might be called, collectively, a savage comedy--bristles with allegories that explore human cruelty and suffering. Gathering narratives that feel both ancient and modern, Barger forges an apocalyptic vision without sacrificing poetry's underlying sense of joy, humour and revelation. Part comic book translated from a dead language, and part nightmare dreamscape, THE MEAN GAME is a must-read from one of Canada's most kinetic writers.