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ariaverge's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sleightoffeet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
freshaircure's review against another edition
4.0
I️ really loved how the character of the Devil was developed, but the ending was a bit of a letdown.
seahorsesister's review against another edition
3.0
Having read Reincarnation Blues by the same author, this book was a disappointment. I stuck with it in hopes that it would emerge as the layered, story within a story, funny, fictional and mythically true tale Reincarnation Blues was, but no such luck. If it is one of three books at the beach house or in the airplane seat pocket on a long flight, it'll do the job of a frolicking tale of the devil living among humans...otherwise keep looking.
cathybruce208's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It mixes the 60's, 70's and 80's with the devil, a flower child who wants to be famous, a mathematical genius who wants to change the world, and a former bass player who just wants to have money. Throw in a lot of flashbacks, some observations on human nature, and some gratuitous sex and violence and you have an engaging story that will keep you laughing and cringing in equal measure.
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
This was a funny and at times thought provoking book that portrays The Devil as a well-intentioned person who has been trying to make the world a better place. Trouble is, he doesn't completely understand humans, though at times he seems to understand us better than we think. He's also nursing a broken heart as his first love, the angel Arden, was scared off by the brutality of Earth and instead preferred to return to Heaven. As part of his world improvement plan, he strikes a deal with a folk group during the 60's and this book details the repercussions for all involved. If you are a fan of Christopher Moore you'll probably like this book.
overthinkereading's review
dark
I only finished this for book club. As a fellow club member said, “WTF even is this book?”
Too many content warnings to list. (Frankly, the MC is The Devil. If you can think of a CW, it’s probably in here).
Too many content warnings to list. (Frankly, the MC is The Devil. If you can think of a CW, it’s probably in here).
alejandrojovandro's review against another edition
4.0
Whoa! I've finally made it through this awesome novel! The only thing I'm sorry about is that I've been to lazy to read it (I've been reading it for Idunno, a month or so). This book definitely deserves to be read in one sitting, it really is that good. Big recommendation from my part.
branch_c's review against another edition
3.0
It’s interesting that I finally got around to reading The Master and Margarita last month, since this book is similar in many ways, being a story of the devil and how he spends some of his time on earth. There are numerous parallels: some humans recognize him; others don’t. His capricious actions cause chaos and absurdity of various kinds, and his motives are not always clear.
Compared to the Bulgakov classic, this book is certainly more elegantly written, although it might not be fair to compare an original English book to a translation. This story takes place largely in America, and the devil interacts with a history that’s much more familiar than Bulgakov’s Russia.
My impression, however, was much the same: There are some mildly humorous parts, and there are several philosophizing passages that are fairly well done. But overall I wasn’t thrilled, although the story is interesting enough, I guess. The characters are mostly unlikeable, including the devil, even though his crude impulsiveness is tempered with a desire to shape America into a better place. Anyway, I can certainly see what Poore was going for with his depiction of flawed humans as well as flawed angels. It was on page 143 that I guessed the twist that would come on page 329.
In the end, the writing is good, and it’s a well constructed story, just not one that held my interest as much as I’d hoped.
Compared to the Bulgakov classic, this book is certainly more elegantly written, although it might not be fair to compare an original English book to a translation. This story takes place largely in America, and the devil interacts with a history that’s much more familiar than Bulgakov’s Russia.
My impression, however, was much the same: There are some mildly humorous parts, and there are several philosophizing passages that are fairly well done. But overall I wasn’t thrilled, although the story is interesting enough, I guess. The characters are mostly unlikeable, including the devil, even though his crude impulsiveness is tempered with a desire to shape America into a better place. Anyway, I can certainly see what Poore was going for with his depiction of flawed humans as well as flawed angels. It was on page 143 that I guessed the twist that would come on page 329.
In the end, the writing is good, and it’s a well constructed story, just not one that held my interest as much as I’d hoped.
leighbeevee's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoy Poore's writing, but there were times this was self-indulgent and meandering. Definitely should have been shorter. But overall, I enjoyed it.