Reviews

The Beaver Theory by Antti Tuomainen

raven88's review

5.0

First, there was The Rabbit Factor :

“We enter a world where the small, some would say humdrum existence of ordinary people, is suddenly enveloped in drama and absurdity.”

Then there was The Moose Paradox :

“The actual storyline is pretty nuts as usual, as who knew such dark and dastardly deeds could take root in a family adventure park? Who knew that the sourcing of play equipment could produce a maelstrom of violence and blackmail? Just when will dogged detective Osmala uncover the truth of the fiendish murders, committed with a plastic rabbit ear and a giant fake strawberry?”

And now to The Beaver Theory, and to be honest I could not be happier than to return to the weird and wonderful world of socially challenged Henri Koskinen, and his band of eccentric employees at the YouMeFun adventure park.

Not an amusement park, oh no, no, no. It’s an adventure park.

With Henri now living the semblance of a ‘normal’ person’s life, in a state of almost perfect domestic bliss, we fervently hope that life has become more settled.

More steady.

Less absurd.

Less violent.

But no.

Once again Henri’s very sanity is challenged by the dark forces seeking to put his park out of business and to see the demise of this perfectly pleasant ex-actuary, turned adventure park manager and his staff, by outdoing them in every area of entertainment that families want in their adventure park experience. But Henri won’t stand for that. And soon absurdity, scheming and murder prevail. The snowmobile episode in particular is an absolute doozy.

I wish I could find words enough to express how much I love this series overall. There’s something so enchanting and engaging about this little band of people, with their quirks of character, oddness of behaviour in some cases, but essential goodness, that is so totally endearing, and all so lovely…

Then.

Kapow

Tuomainen drops in these episodes of violence and nastiness with bomb-like precision, that pull you up short, but equally make you hoot with laughter as those bad guys, who threaten Henri and his business, are despatched in weird and wondrous ways, not always with malice aforethought. It is comedy gold, and never fails to make me snort with laughter, somewhat embarrassingly at times on public transport. Big kudos to David Hackston’s genius translation too, that this humour and some of the more ‘Britishisms’ Hackston employs, means that none of the humour and absurdity is lost in translation.

I honestly cannot recommend this book, and indeed, the trilogy as a whole enough. Weird, funny, violent, funny and weird again, Antti Tuomainen has more than proved his innate talent for bringing the absurdity to an almost state of normalcy, and enveloping us in this world of wonderful escapist delight. Highly recommended.

bubbelfia's review

dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

cereads's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

maisu's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

ennieeva's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Hauska ja mukaansatempaava, muttei aivan yltänyt edellisten osien tasolle.

juniperusxx's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Olisin kovasti halunnut tykätä tästä enemmän. Jäniskerroin-trilogian ekasta osasta pidin, sillä päähenkilön hahmo on riemastuttava, mutta kahdessa jälkimmäisessä kirjassa juoni huvipuistosekoiluineen ei oikein ole jaksanut innostaa. Tässä päätösosassa olisi ollut aineksia tuoreeseen näkökulmaan liittyen vakutuusmatemaatikon uusperhearkeen ja rooliin vanhempainyhdistyksessä, mutta ne jäivät valitettavasti sivujuonteeksi.