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foxtrotmadly's review against another edition
4.0
“Do you know what separates humanity from the other beasts of this world?" asked Lotus. "It's not the ability to make tools or complex language or any of that other nonsense you tell yourselves. No, humans are unique in all this world because they're the only creatures that can make themselves miserable. And do you know how you do that? You do it by expecting to be happy. You're so busy thinking about happiness, obsessing about finding it and why it isn't where you expect it to be, that you completely miss the point. The other creatures of this universe don't go looking for happiness. They don't even expect to be happy. They just expect to be, and that's good enough."
When I picked up this silly book about a pest control agent who specializes in cryptozoology (that means he catches dragons, ogres, trolls, and yetis in the frozen food aisle at your local grocery store) I expected it to be funny and charming, but honestly not so profound. It’s like that scene in “Fred Claus” where Santa Claus and an accountant bring tears to your eyes over a Superman cape; unexpected emotional complexity found in the dumbest place possible.
“Monster” by A. Lee Martinez is about a man named Monster who catches mythical creatures for money. He’s aided by a paper gnome named Chester and he keeps running into a grocery store clerk named Judy who may or may not be the most important person in the universe. He also has a girlfriend who is a literal succubus, and there’s a crazy cat lady, a horse girl, and a cow lady in play trying to destroy reality. It’s a pretty wild book, but it’s a ton of fun.
This is my second Martinez book, and I gotta say he keeps impressing me. Martinez has a lot of big ideas, and while he doesn’t see all of them through or even take them to their maximum potential, his stuff is still really enjoyable to read. I’m going to keep picking up his work (until he gives me a reason not to) and see if he keeps improving as I work my way through his bibliography.
When I picked up this silly book about a pest control agent who specializes in cryptozoology (that means he catches dragons, ogres, trolls, and yetis in the frozen food aisle at your local grocery store) I expected it to be funny and charming, but honestly not so profound. It’s like that scene in “Fred Claus” where Santa Claus and an accountant bring tears to your eyes over a Superman cape; unexpected emotional complexity found in the dumbest place possible.
“Monster” by A. Lee Martinez is about a man named Monster who catches mythical creatures for money. He’s aided by a paper gnome named Chester and he keeps running into a grocery store clerk named Judy who may or may not be the most important person in the universe. He also has a girlfriend who is a literal succubus, and there’s a crazy cat lady, a horse girl, and a cow lady in play trying to destroy reality. It’s a pretty wild book, but it’s a ton of fun.
This is my second Martinez book, and I gotta say he keeps impressing me. Martinez has a lot of big ideas, and while he doesn’t see all of them through or even take them to their maximum potential, his stuff is still really enjoyable to read. I’m going to keep picking up his work (until he gives me a reason not to) and see if he keeps improving as I work my way through his bibliography.
adamrbrooks's review
4.0
Really fun and funny book that moves quickly, has great use of language and humor. Nice example:
"Chester folded himself a mouth and some eyebrows so he could gape."
(Chester's a hyperdimensional entity who manifests himself in our world in paper bodies.)
Most important thing to know is that I'm putting other Martinez works in my to-read.
"Chester folded himself a mouth and some eyebrows so he could gape."
(Chester's a hyperdimensional entity who manifests himself in our world in paper bodies.)
Most important thing to know is that I'm putting other Martinez works in my to-read.
jonnyj's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
justgina93's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved it including in chapter 20 it was like an evil dead scene it reminded me of how ash kills deadites. But it's monster killing his girlfriend accidentally. But yeah he could have just done the dishes.
sauce4you's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
marpesea's review
4.0
Reminiscent of Christopher Moore and Douglas Adams-- a lot of fun if you enjoy mythological creatures, flawed protagonists, mysterious old women and property damage. I fully intend to read more by A. Lee Martinez.
narunii's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
viva_pugnacio's review
2.0
After reading The Automatic Detective, I was looking forward to reading Monster. Unfortunately, this book doesn't quite reach the same heights. Monster's plotline seems rushed, missing the expository prose other writers would use to give further background on Monster's wide cast of characters. There are so many wonderful ideas in this book, but they never get the chance to really fly off the page. The book was enjoyable enough, but not something I'll be revisiting anytime soon.