Christopher Moore is under-appreciated. Sure sure he has a cult following and is slowly growing in popularity, but his name is not on everyone's lips as it should be. I'm telling you right now that if you've not read any of his books then you need to run to your nearest bookstore right now and buy them all. All I say!
I first fell in love with Moore's sarcastic humor with Practical Demonkeeping, and then I read a few reviews at epinions.com about Lamb and just had to grab that (and did of course love it,) which led to picking up Bloodsucking Fiends and well... alright already! I'm addicted!
So, when I saw The Stupidest Angel sitting on the bookshelf at some airport or another, I absolutely had to have it. Had to! And so I did. Have it I mean. Read it in one sitting, cover to cover, because I just could not put it down. It's a very quick 275 pages of non-stop fun.
You see, every year apparently one angel or another is picked to come to Earth and perform a miracle. This year it's Raziel's turn. Off he goes in search of a child to grant a miracle to. Not being very subtle, he's soon sorta wanted for walking into houses and just kind of interrogating a few youngins.
Behold! For I am really not kidding!
Young Josh sees Santa getting killed by his ex-wife and wants Santa back alive so he can get his damn presents. Josh, meet Raziel; Raziel, meet Josh.
Can anyone say Zombies for Christmas? Hooya! Yes siree, A heartwarming tale of Christmas terror indeed. Did I say funny? Let me upgrade that to hysterical.
Raziel! Go forth into the land and lay waste to two good sized Wal-Marts, slay until blood doth flow from all bargains and all the buildings are but rubble - and pick up a few Snickers bars for yourself
We also have a dope smoking constable, a retired sheena-type sword-wielding kook of a grade-B actress, A talking Rayban-clad fruit bat, and an experimental genius with electrodes taped to his nuts.
Even the chapter titles will make you chuckle. One of my faves is: Your Puny Worm God Weapons are Useless Against My Superior Christmas Kung Fu. Instead of a 13th Chapter, he puts in a scrapbook of pictures for good luck.
The chapters are short and have breaks within themselves which always makes the reading seem to go faster and gives you chances to get up and grab refreshment. I really dislike books with overly long chapters. I hate having the phone ring or whatnot and having to stop somewhere you're not meant to stop. Yanno? Moore gets that.
I very highly recommend this 5 star book. It's short, easy to read, and just funny as hell. Do yourself a favor and discover the wonders of Christopher Moore now.
Author's Warning: If you're buying this book as a gift for your Grandma or a kid, you should be aware that it contains cusswords as well as tasteful depictions of cannibalism and people in their forties having sex. Don't blame me. I told you.
(review slightly changed from my original posting on epinions.com which can be found here: http://www.epinions.com/content_162695253636)
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Comments: 29
Great book review!
What sold me, though, was his amazing ability to write. His descriptive passages are flawless and all refreshingly new. I recall one chapter that begins with laundry like colorful dolphins sporting in the dryer window or something like that. Just amazing talent that happens to work perfectly for razor-edged humor!
I've purchased several copies of each of his books -- as gifts, for myself, and for myself *again* when certain sons walk off with my first copies.
Lori, would you please publish this to Gather Library as well?? A good book review is always welcome at the library!
The link worked for me this morning, so perhaps you tried it during a flickering moment for the website?
It's about time... and ummm I haven't read that one! I thought I had read them all. ACK. Off to the bookshop today...
Finally got it to work... I went into edit and added the book groups to publish this to. Was that right?
I read Lamb a a couple of months ago and couldn't stop laughing.
[Biff speaking] "The Law says that two must go with the flock to keep an abomination from happening. I can spot an abomination from fifty paces."
Maggie smiled. "And did you prevent any abominations?"
"Oh yes, I kept the abominations at bay while Kaliel played with his favorite sheep behind the bushes."
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