The Missionary's Position

The author claims to have gotten the inspiration for writing his humorous novel The Missionary's Position from being hit on the head with a coconut while vacationing on a Caribbean island. Set on two fictional Caribbean-like islands named Snow and St. Ursula, the novel follows the adventures--misadventures--of a zany cast of characters including the director of a local historical society, Philip Doyle; the fantastically wealthy Roberta Gibbleman and her mischievous daughter Wendy; and the comical despot Austin Sewer. The foil for setting these and related characters scheming and vying with one another is the competition between Doyle and Sewer to make their respective islands of Snow and St. Ursula the leading tourist attraction. A travel writer turning to fiction with this novel, Buslik hits just the right note in humorously portraying the carefree, gay ambience of a Caribbean island vacation spot and the casual, insouciant, dreamy but feckless behavior of its inhabitants. Page after page his writing is fresh and light-spirited--making The Missionary's Position ideal summer beach or travel-cruise reading.

Henry Berry, Book Reviewer Editor/Publisher, The Small Press Book Review


Intelligent, clever, and very funny book!   April 2, 1999
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Combines amazing literary skill with an outlandish, sneaky sense of humor which will have you laughing out loud. Images of the Caribbean, and Buslik's very colorful and satirical characters come alive. It's action packed, with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages like a high speed robot. I am buying this book for a friend of mine who is heading for Barbados.


Everyone I know is buzzin' about Buslik's funny, new book!   March 30, 1999
Facsinating new author Gary Buslik bursts onto the literary scene with "The Missionary's Position", a completely delightful read. Buslik's descriptions of the story's tropical setting are intriguing, always lively and very accurate I'm sure (based on the fact Buslik shows up here on local Chicago radio's Travel Doctor as the Caribbean travel expert). Buslik demonstrates a skillful hand while illustrating the foibles and comic situations in this engaging story. I laughed often while reading the dialogue between the despot Sewer and the Gibbleman brat. Buslik has a terrific knack for writing dialogue and should write this book's script if it should come to bear Hollywood fruit. Read this book and have a great time, it's so much better than the majority of so-called Hollywood entertainment now playing. Buslik's plot is fresh and I'm hoping this highly original story has it's day on the big screen very, very soon.


This book was a delightful read!   February 26, 1999
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Not usually a binge reader, I devoured this entertaining book in a little over a weekend, unable (or just unwilling) to put it down. I simply did not want to leave the island of Snow. The characters are definitely quirky, but Buslik keeps them believable, and consistent with themselves. The writing itself is smooth, with an intelligence and cleverness that never struck me as arrogant or clever for clever's sake (and actually managed to make me chuckle out loud at times, which I don't often do when reading). I've never been to the Caribbean, but suspect the details offered of the setting will please those who have. It has certainly made me want to plan a trip. I cannot figure out a way to discuss the plot without giving something away, but it definitely kept moving and held my interest and attention throughout. Lost me only briefly at one point (in terms of believability), but pulled me right back in very quickly. Overall, an off-beat and highly entertaining book.