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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
(3.5) A decent satire of the private eye genre. You can see how Wolf's good ideas were turned to great ones in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, one of my favorite movies of all time.
But please note, this was originally a 4-star read until an awful transphobic scene made me drop it down. I know it was written in the early 80s and blah, blah, blah. It's still an awful scene. If you're triggered by such things, you might want to sit this one out.
But please note, this was originally a 4-star read until an awful transphobic scene made me drop it down. I know it was written in the early 80s and blah, blah, blah. It's still an awful scene. If you're triggered by such things, you might want to sit this one out.
First things first: This is nothing like the story of the movie. The general premise and the characters are all the same, but the plot, motivations, and even the characterization is different here. This might be general information by this point, though, considering every other review I've seen mentions something about it.
The thing is, this book shouldn't be skipped over because it's not the same story as the movie. Instead of cartoons, we have comic book characters; instead of infidelity, Eddie is investigating a murder; and instead of the main conflict revolving around ToonTown, the plot revolves around a ... teakettle.
(Yes, you read that correctly.)
There's a lot of brilliance in this story, not the least of which is the idea that cartoon characters exist as real beings in the world. The plot moves along at a nice pace, and as I neared the end of the book, I was looking for spare moments to read another chapter. I didn't quite read at stoplights while driving, but I was tempted.
Wolf captures the characters of Roger and Eddie perfectly, and develops their relationship appropriately. Again, it's different from the movie, though there are some similarities, but by the end of the book, they've both changed due to their experience together. It's touching, and if the last paragraph doesn't move you, you might want to contact a coroner.
The story is hard-boiled, which was a lot of fun. The similes alone are enough to make deviled eggs, and they're everywhere. Your tolerance of such things could affect how much you enjoy the story.
My only gripe with the story is its conclusion, which just ... really? That's it? I mean, it fits, in a weird sort of way, but it's ... really? That?
(Sorry for being vague, but ... really?)
There are two more novels in this series, but they were written after the movie's success, and honestly, I don't see how either of them could be possible. I might come back to them in a future moment of weakness (I get them a lot), but for now I don't feel the need to read them immediately.
I think I prefer the story of the movie over the book, but that could be because I watched the movie first. It could be because the ending was more satisfying, too, but hey, that's not enough not to read this book. It's still a fine piece of detective fiction with a touch of the fantastic.
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: A book with a question in the title
The thing is, this book shouldn't be skipped over because it's not the same story as the movie. Instead of cartoons, we have comic book characters; instead of infidelity, Eddie is investigating a murder; and instead of the main conflict revolving around ToonTown, the plot revolves around a ... teakettle.
(Yes, you read that correctly.)
There's a lot of brilliance in this story, not the least of which is the idea that cartoon characters exist as real beings in the world. The plot moves along at a nice pace, and as I neared the end of the book, I was looking for spare moments to read another chapter. I didn't quite read at stoplights while driving, but I was tempted.
Wolf captures the characters of Roger and Eddie perfectly, and develops their relationship appropriately. Again, it's different from the movie, though there are some similarities, but by the end of the book, they've both changed due to their experience together. It's touching, and if the last paragraph doesn't move you, you might want to contact a coroner.
The story is hard-boiled, which was a lot of fun. The similes alone are enough to make deviled eggs, and they're everywhere. Your tolerance of such things could affect how much you enjoy the story.
My only gripe with the story is its conclusion, which just ... really? That's it? I mean, it fits, in a weird sort of way, but it's ... really? That?
(Sorry for being vague, but ... really?)
There are two more novels in this series, but they were written after the movie's success, and honestly, I don't see how either of them could be possible. I might come back to them in a future moment of weakness (I get them a lot), but for now I don't feel the need to read them immediately.
I think I prefer the story of the movie over the book, but that could be because I watched the movie first. It could be because the ending was more satisfying, too, but hey, that's not enough not to read this book. It's still a fine piece of detective fiction with a touch of the fantastic.
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: A book with a question in the title
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Xenophobia
I love the film but this book is so much better! It’s very different to the film adaptation but is charming and funny still.
In this book, Roger seeks Eddie Valiant’s services to sort out a contract disputes with his bosses, the DeGreasy Brothers. While it seems a quick and pointless case, Valiant soon discovers this case snowballs into something much bigger. With 2 dead bodies and a tonne of suspects, both toon and human, Eddie Valiant has his work cut out for him!
It’s a great detective novel with sone twists and turns and a little social commentary that cuts close to the knuckle with ref to race!
In this book, Roger seeks Eddie Valiant’s services to sort out a contract disputes with his bosses, the DeGreasy Brothers. While it seems a quick and pointless case, Valiant soon discovers this case snowballs into something much bigger. With 2 dead bodies and a tonne of suspects, both toon and human, Eddie Valiant has his work cut out for him!
It’s a great detective novel with sone twists and turns and a little social commentary that cuts close to the knuckle with ref to race!
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3613546.html
There are broad plot similarities, but big differences: the book is set in the present day (ie 1981); the Toons are from comic strips rather than animated films; their speech is preserved in physical speech bubbles; the plot turns on a deus ex machina and the ability of Toons to create short-lived doppelgangers of themselves, and is generally less tidy than the film. One of those cases where the cinematic adaptation is a lot better than the original material.
There are broad plot similarities, but big differences: the book is set in the present day (ie 1981); the Toons are from comic strips rather than animated films; their speech is preserved in physical speech bubbles; the plot turns on a deus ex machina and the ability of Toons to create short-lived doppelgangers of themselves, and is generally less tidy than the film. One of those cases where the cinematic adaptation is a lot better than the original material.
This is, I believe, the first book I read on my Kindle. I loved the movie but found the book to be rather disappointing.
Nothing too stretching, but a dark, funny story. I decided to treat the book as something totally separate from the movie it inspired, which helped me appreciate the book on its own merits.
I was hesitant to read this book and like it. I have a huge soft spot for the Disney movie, a part of my childhood and I was worried of comparing the two and ending up disliking one of them. The book, which is the original story, is so far from what they created in the movie, that in the end, I loved it. The writing style is cliche and hilarious. The characters are very different but play well in the story. I don't think this would have played out well in a movie but it's wonderful in book form.