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tophat8855's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up because someone had recommended Christopher Moore and this was one of the only books at our library branch by him.
Very creative story. I loved the fun descriptions and characters. Sad things happen within the first few chapters (death) and being pregnant I get all teary about things like that, so if you're a teary person, there's a warning.
It's fun. Moore doesn't hesitate to throw in swearing wherever possible, so if that's something that bothers you, don't read it. I was reading it in the car and when it was my time to drive, my husband read the last third out loud to me and he was really getting into the story himself. Also, there is sex, but it's not erotica sex. Sex is just something characters happen to do just like everybody else in the real world. Some of it was a bit contrived, but hey, it's fiction. The underworld was going to take over.
There was a slow point at the end when one of the characters reveals her identity and past and it's a big information dump. I needed some action in there to break it up.
Strangely happy ending for a story with lots of death in it. And now I can't take the BART from Oakland to SF without worrying about the power going out...
I'm hoping "Lamb" is good. It's my next book to tackle.
Very creative story. I loved the fun descriptions and characters. Sad things happen within the first few chapters (death) and being pregnant I get all teary about things like that, so if you're a teary person, there's a warning.
It's fun. Moore doesn't hesitate to throw in swearing wherever possible, so if that's something that bothers you, don't read it. I was reading it in the car and when it was my time to drive, my husband read the last third out loud to me and he was really getting into the story himself. Also, there is sex, but it's not erotica sex. Sex is just something characters happen to do just like everybody else in the real world. Some of it was a bit contrived, but hey, it's fiction. The underworld was going to take over.
There was a slow point at the end when one of the characters reveals her identity and past and it's a big information dump. I needed some action in there to break it up.
Strangely happy ending for a story with lots of death in it. And now I can't take the BART from Oakland to SF without worrying about the power going out...
I'm hoping "Lamb" is good. It's my next book to tackle.
songwind's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first Christopher Moore book I have read. It was loaned to me by a friend from work, and I loved it pretty much from the first page.
The story is quick paced, witty, and insightful. And once you think you have Moore's number and are looking forward to more absurdity and humor, he puts the emotional screws in.
I'll definitely be reading more of his work.
The story is quick paced, witty, and insightful. And once you think you have Moore's number and are looking forward to more absurdity and humor, he puts the emotional screws in.
I'll definitely be reading more of his work.
rpow14's review against another edition
Boring; main character was hard to read (insecure, unsure of himself).
shalini_rasamdaa's review against another edition
3.0
This was an alright read, finished it in one day actually. Quite funny and while the plot is predictable, it was a merry ride. Some of the jokes were puerile though, but maybe it was a matter of taste. Good for a day trip. Terry Pratchett he is not, although clearly inspired by the great man.
katyanaish's review against another edition
5.0
I freaking love this book. Charlie Asher, a man bumbling through life, somehow bumbles into the job of Death. But don't let all the laughing fool you - underneath it all, this is a very touching story.
xeyra1's review against another edition
5.0
I love Christopher Moore. And this book is hilarious and cute and amazing and Charlie Asher is just an absolutely incredible character in all his Beta Male glory. Highly recommended. One of the best reads I had in 2007.
bridgetbjorna's review against another edition
3.0
So-so. I didn't mind getting through it but I feel like it's like chick-lit for married guys maybe?
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
So, I'm like a Santa's helper of death?
Huge respect to Christopher Moore, I loved [b:Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal|28881|Lamb The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal|Christopher Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331419009s/28881.jpg|3346728] so much, but I still hesitated when it came to reading a new one by him. I don't know why, it's a thing I do.
I have a serious love for Grim Reaper stories, and this is such an amazing spin on it. I loved it so much that I turned around immediately and got the audiobook for [b: Secondhand Souls|23460830|Secondhand Souls (Grim Reaper, #2)|Christopher Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434397134s/23460830.jpg|42753848] so that I wouldn't have to wait to finish the story.
There's so many fun bits of mythology here. The idea that when you die, your soul transfers to an object that held special significance for you. This can be a book, CD, umbrella.
Breast implant.
Anything!
And it transfers to another person, when that person finds your soul vessel. It calls to them, a person can't just randomly get another's soul by grabbing their old Doc Martens. Reincarnation via commerce.
Which means that there are people walking around with no soul. It affects nothing, they aren't the antichrist or anything. But the idea is kind of amazing. I'm obsessed with the mythology.
Charlie, and his fellow Death Merchants, own some form of second hand shop, where they sell these. And they're tasked with running around getting the soul vessels. They don't take the souls directly from the person's being, they just have to find the bright red glowing soul vessel before...well, before the Underworld rises and everything goes to Hell. Which seems like poor planning on their part. What if someone in the family threw away the person's soul vessel before they got there?
Though the scene where collecting a soul is like collecting a debt was freaking genius.
I saw the twist with Sophie coming right at the beginning, but it was fun waiting for it to play out. I like all of the characters, most especially Mr Fresh. So fun.
Jane's description makes me think of Desire from the Sandman series. I was tickled and wondered if we'd get someone who looked like Delirium and Dream, but let's face it, Charlie is no Death.
Well, sweet tidy bowl Jesus skipping on the blue toilet water!
Steeeeeealing.
Huge respect to Christopher Moore, I loved [b:Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal|28881|Lamb The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal|Christopher Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331419009s/28881.jpg|3346728] so much, but I still hesitated when it came to reading a new one by him. I don't know why, it's a thing I do.
I have a serious love for Grim Reaper stories, and this is such an amazing spin on it. I loved it so much that I turned around immediately and got the audiobook for [b: Secondhand Souls|23460830|Secondhand Souls (Grim Reaper, #2)|Christopher Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434397134s/23460830.jpg|42753848] so that I wouldn't have to wait to finish the story.
There's so many fun bits of mythology here. The idea that when you die, your soul transfers to an object that held special significance for you. This can be a book, CD, umbrella.
Breast implant.
Anything!
And it transfers to another person, when that person finds your soul vessel. It calls to them, a person can't just randomly get another's soul by grabbing their old Doc Martens. Reincarnation via commerce.
Which means that there are people walking around with no soul. It affects nothing, they aren't the antichrist or anything. But the idea is kind of amazing. I'm obsessed with the mythology.
Charlie, and his fellow Death Merchants, own some form of second hand shop, where they sell these. And they're tasked with running around getting the soul vessels. They don't take the souls directly from the person's being, they just have to find the bright red glowing soul vessel before...well, before the Underworld rises and everything goes to Hell. Which seems like poor planning on their part. What if someone in the family threw away the person's soul vessel before they got there?
Though the scene where collecting a soul is like collecting a debt was freaking genius.
I saw the twist with Sophie coming right at the beginning, but it was fun waiting for it to play out. I like all of the characters, most especially Mr Fresh. So fun.
Jane's description makes me think of Desire from the Sandman series. I was tickled and wondered if we'd get someone who looked like Delirium and Dream, but let's face it, Charlie is no Death.
Well, sweet tidy bowl Jesus skipping on the blue toilet water!
Steeeeeealing.
jaredwill_'s review against another edition
5.0
More Moore. I don't really know how to give a pithy description to a book with a wide and ever evolving series of ridiculous plot points. Death, second-hand retailers, sewer harpies, Buddhist monks, and tiny animal Frankensteins, what's not to love.