Arthur: An Actuarial Odyssey—an absurdist, social satire—is a perfect literary blend of Confederacy of Dunces, Slaughter House 5, Best in Show, and Dr. Strangelove, with just a touch of Spinal Tap, Get to Know Your Rabbit, and But I’m a Cheerleader.

Providing both a critique of consumer culture and a celebration of the human spirit, Arthur is thus an eclectic blend of sarcastic humor and philosophy, it challenges listeners to reflect on their own lives and the systems that define them.

We first meet Arthur deep in existential crisis, having recently discovered that the industry he has dedicated himself to represent—life insurance—is actually far more focused on death than the celebration of life. To address his deep personal crisis and better serve his clients, he embarks on a quest to discover the meaning and purpose of life. His journey takes him through a series of bizarre and comedic encounters, including his brief period in a life extension cult, a run-in with a group of environmental activists, and a chaotic adventure on a Japanese whaling ship.

As Arthur grapples with his identity and purpose, he ultimately discovers that the act of dying can be a source of profit, revealing the absurdity of the societal constructs surrounding life insurance. Throughout this odyssey, Arthur learns valuable lessons about human connection, the complexities of existence, and the absurdity of modern life, all while navigating a madcap world filled with quite eccentric characters—from homicidal aerobics instructors to the male model for a top line of caskets.