# They Eat Puppies, Don't They?

By Christopher Buckley

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/they-eat-puppies-don-t-they-1d54a8ec/

A weapons project needs congressional support. Lobbyist Bird McIntyre and pundit Angel Templeton decide a story about Chinese agents trying to kill the Dalai Lama might help. They invent the threat, then watch Washington and Beijing struggle with the consequences.

## What makes it funny?

Bird calls his modest home the Military Industrial Duplex. He also writes dreadful thrillers, while his lobbying work involves selling a project for drones as large as jumbo jets.

### The comedy at work

The invented story gives officials in two countries a crisis to manage. Buckley keeps the lobbyists' private ambitions in view as their publicity scheme starts shaping international decisions.

### Try this if…

Washington satire for readers interested in lobbying, defense spending and people who manufacture alarm for a living.

### Good to know

The title is part of the satire's treatment of manufactured hostility toward China. Fictional characters share the story with recognizable politicians and media personalities.

## What to expect

- Genre: Contemporary & literary
- Kind of humor: Farce · Satire
- Format: Novel

## Sources & further reading

- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/christopher-buckley/they-eat-puppies-dont-they)
- Publisher: [Publisher](https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/christopher-buckley/they-eat-puppies-dont-they/9781472106971)