CNN - 'Monica's Untold Story' puts zippergate to verse

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'Monica's Untold Story' puts zippergate to verse

Web posted on: Thursday, March 18, 1999 12:01:39 PM

(CNN) -- A new paperback parody of the Monica Lewinsky story, titled "Monica's Untold Story: An Amorality Tale", is a tongue-in-cheek look at sex-and-perjury put to verse. Despite its children's book style, it is not for the toddler set.

Hot on the heels of Andrew Morton's "Monica's Story", the new book is the tale of the American president and his paramour that people now know so well they could recite it themselves. The rhymes in this short book give them the words to do so."'I didn't have sex with That Woman,' he preached...
to all of America in a televised speech.
But a t-shirt,
some chocolates,
a dress, and a tie,
Served as telltale reminders of his sad, twisted lie."

This parody reads like Dr. Seuss goes to Washington. It takes no more than 5-10 minutes to finish, but you will find yourself going back to look at the excellent illustrations by Bill Plympton.

Best known for his animated short films, including the Oscar nominated "Your Face", Plympton's work has been seen in the New York Times, Vogue, Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair.

Before the nation heard of Monica Lewinsky the illustrations might have been considered risqué, but given the revelations of sex in the Oval Office, cigars, stained dresses, etc. that people have been subjected to since the scandal broke, they aren't all that shocking.

Anonymous is credited with the writing, though according to publisher Regan Books, a group of comedy writers worked on the project.

The tale is very critical of all the key scandal players. Lewinsky, Bill Clinton, Linda Tripp, Ken Starr, Congress and the media all take hits.

Special mention is made of presidential secretary Betty Currie, to whom the book is dedicated. "We love you Betty, because you're the only one who didn't enjoy getting famous off of all this," it reads.

Overall it is a hilariously cynical look at the affair that led to the impeachment of the president and provided Americans with much more information than they ever wanted.

RELATED STORIES:

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March 12, 1999
Morton on Lewinsky: 'I don't envy her'
November 3, 1999
Lewinsky besieged by reporters in London
March 8, 1999
Lewinsky book may force investigation of Starr's office
March 5, 1999
Monica tells British she regrets 'the entire relationship'
March 5, 1999
Author: Lewinsky remains terrified of Starr
March 4, 1999
Excerpts from 'Monica's Story'
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Lewinsky book takes aim at Tripp and Ginsburg
March 4, 1999

RELATED SITES:

Regan Books
Bill Plympton's Official Web Site
Monica's Story, by Andrew Morton
Monica Lewinsky photo gallery
Monica Lewinsky Online Fan Club
Monica Fan Club