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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Time to start reviewing some of my seasonal favorites, starting with my absolute favorite Christmas book, at least my favorite modern Christmas book. Subtitled A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, this book doesn't stint on the seasonally heartwarming. Or the terror. Or the laughs!
"Fear not...for I bring you tidings of great joy. Behold, your Christmas wish has been granted...Not what I would have wished for..."
By the time Raziel, the common sense challenged angel of the title, makes this proclamation, a bizarre cautionary tale has spun out. In this season of not just giving, but of asking Santa for stuff, being careful what you ask for is excellent advice. Even the simplest wish can have unintended consequences.
Christmas is coming, and in this neck of the woods...
"Christmas crept into Pine Cove like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh bells, oozing eggnog, reeking of pine, and threatening festive doom like a cold sore under the mistletoe."
Into this cozy setting comes Raziel, a Nativity angel on a mission to fulfill the Christmas wish of a child. He finds Josh, who believes he has seen Santa Claus killed (in reality, a local asswipe in a Santa suit). And he wishes...
I don't want to spoil the ensuing mayhem other than to say I can't believe I didn't figure out this particular part of the chaos until it was actually spelled out that this tale would involve...
A subplot of the book alludes to one of my favorite Christmas classics, The Gift of the Magi. It doesn't really give away much if I mention that See? Heartwarming! O. Henry would be proud.
Anyone who has read other Christopher Moore books will recognize many of the characters from several of his other books. Lena, Theo, and the town of Pine Cove itself feature in The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, Tucker and Roberto the Fruit Bat are from Island of the Sequined Love Nun, etc. Even Raziel the angel made an appearance in Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. While it's fun seeing all these characters thrown together if you've read about them before, it's not at all necessary to know anything about them going in.
Lastly, one small warning. The cover art could lead to the impression that this might, just might, be a book for children. It's not. In fact, there's an author's warning at the very beginning...
"If you're buying this book as a gift for your grandma or a kid, you should be aware that it contains cusswords as well as tasteful depictions of cannibalism and people in their forties having sex. Don't blame me. I told you."
In fact, the phrase "I-AM-SO-GOING-TO-WASH-YOUR-VOLVO..." may enter your lexicon.
Enjoy!
and
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"Fear not...for I bring you tidings of great joy. Behold, your Christmas wish has been granted...Not what I would have wished for..."
By the time Raziel, the common sense challenged angel of the title, makes this proclamation, a bizarre cautionary tale has spun out. In this season of not just giving, but of asking Santa for stuff, being careful what you ask for is excellent advice. Even the simplest wish can have unintended consequences.
Christmas is coming, and in this neck of the woods...
"Christmas crept into Pine Cove like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh bells, oozing eggnog, reeking of pine, and threatening festive doom like a cold sore under the mistletoe."
Into this cozy setting comes Raziel, a Nativity angel on a mission to fulfill the Christmas wish of a child. He finds Josh, who believes he has seen Santa Claus killed (in reality, a local asswipe in a Santa suit). And he wishes...
I don't want to spoil the ensuing mayhem other than to say I can't believe I didn't figure out this particular part of the chaos until it was actually spelled out that this tale would involve...
Spoiler
zombeeeez!A subplot of the book alludes to one of my favorite Christmas classics, The Gift of the Magi. It doesn't really give away much if I mention that
Spoiler
Lena, former B-movie actress known for playing Kendra, Warrior Babe of the Outland, saves money by going off her antipsychotic meds in order to buy her husband Theo, a cop, a hand-blown glass bong, and Theo, the cop, starts his own little grow op to get enough money to buy Lena an authentic broadsword, which totally feeds into her Kendra-Warrior-Babe-of-the-Outlands delusions.Anyone who has read other Christopher Moore books will recognize many of the characters from several of his other books. Lena, Theo, and the town of Pine Cove itself feature in The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, Tucker and Roberto the Fruit Bat are from Island of the Sequined Love Nun, etc. Even Raziel the angel made an appearance in Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. While it's fun seeing all these characters thrown together if you've read about them before, it's not at all necessary to know anything about them going in.
Lastly, one small warning. The cover art could lead to the impression that this might, just might, be a book for children. It's not. In fact, there's an author's warning at the very beginning...
"If you're buying this book as a gift for your grandma or a kid, you should be aware that it contains cusswords as well as tasteful depictions of cannibalism and people in their forties having sex. Don't blame me. I told you."
In fact, the phrase "I-AM-SO-GOING-TO-WASH-YOUR-VOLVO..." may enter your lexicon.
Enjoy!
and
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
It wasn't my favourite Pine Cove story, but it's still pretty good.
So funny and well-written. Will definitely read more of his books now.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A light plot used as an excuse for very backwards not funny jokes that try to be edgy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Antisemitism
I wasn't expecting zombies!!! I always love a book that can make me laugh out loud this much.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love this book so much. There's so much humor, satire and zombies, one can't help but laugh out loud. Too bad my fellow book club members didn't enjoy it as much as I did.
Definitely my least favorite Moore book. Felt like a mashup of his greatest hits, and it was just kinda meh. Also, for the first time ever, I found myself thinking, "Wow, he is straining these metaphors WAY too far." I usually love how he does all those wacky, weird similes, but it felt forced this time.
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes