One of my favourite authors is Tom Robbins. He wrote 'Even Cowgirls Get the Blues", "Jitterbug Perfume", "Still Life with Woody Woodpecker", "Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates" (I think the first one I read and adored), "Skinny Legs and All". I have all of them on my bookshelf (before the invention of Kindle books).
He is a somewhat indescribable author. Definitely kooky story lines and style of narrating, definitely pushes the boundaries of social norms - however beautifully written in my eyes and the stories are always delicious and grabbing and funny - so funny!
Anyway when I decided to return to reading, I googled similar authors. Christopher Moore was suggested, so I picked up this one 'A Dirty Job'.
When I look for a book to read - I am not particular interested in the plot or storyline (hence why in my book reviews you will not receive this), rather I look for the 'style' of the book, the writing - is it lyrical like poetry but not over the top. Does the author's voice talk to me? Sounds very cliched but nonetheless.....
Kindle in Amazon sometimes provides the first chapter for you to read before you purchase - perfectly perfect for me to test whether it is for me or not. I really LOVED the first chapter of this book. It is a combination of Woody Allen-esque (Jewish neuroticism) with insights into personality (why we do things) as well as funny, with a few twists, and good start for a plot of a story.
Interestingly - on reading the whole book, the first chapter is not really how the whole book carries through. However there is enough to make it worth the read.
There were indeed a few laugh out loud bits. (Why does D, upon hearing me laugh, ask me what it is? How could I explain why that bit is funny when it is so contextual? Remind me to relate another story of how I tried to share the funniest book in the world (Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome written in 1889), to D and to other friends - and how, well, shall we say this belief was not shared! That book still has me crying with laughter - I remember the first time I read it in a busy train from Oxford to London Paddington - and I had so many other travellers laughing at/with me - it is hard not to smile/laugh when someone is convulsing with laughter in a relatively quiet train carriage)
So yes there were some good one liners - so much so my overall conclusion on closing this book was "This would make a great film!" I am quite surprised it isn't. Maybe I should have a go at writing the screenplay ... you know, in my spare time ....
The main character characterises himself as a 'beta male'. (Good English essay, 'Compare and contrast the beta male character in a Dirty Job with the stereotypical alpha male') This is an excellent, funny and poignant aspect of the main protagonist. The irony being that by the end of the book he is acting all heroic and anti-beta male in the false belief that he is in fact the personification of 'Death'.
This leads to where the book gets supernatural. I actually like a 'touch' of supernatural in books and shows and films. However I do not like the whole book being based around the supernatural (call me blasphemous - but Harry Potter and Twilight - did nothing for me - I read the first book of each series and was left feeling ... well, nothing - not inspired certainly to read any more. Am too terrified to pick up 50 Shades in case the same occurs ....) But back to the book currently under discussion, A Dirty Job. There is perhaps a touch too much supernatural in the middle of the book (ie when it is first introduced) for me, however Moore corrals it well and shepherds it nicely to a conclusion.
The characters in the book are awesome - kooky but believable and likeable. This is one of the reasons I think it would make a great film - great character roles that could really be fleshed out by good actors. I loved the film 'Sideways' and I think Paul Giamatti (for the main character Charles Asher) and Thomas Haden Church (for perhaps Ray or Inspector Rivera) and I would love Will Smith as Minty Fresh. There are some good female roles available too, including Charles' lesbian sister who keeps stealing his suits and three female demons from the Underworld that do a lot of butt-kicking a la Charlie's Angels and have some pretty funny lines.
So if that all sounds like something that tickles your fancy .... you can download on Amazon Kindle. Also do try Tom Robbins .... just for me!
Labels: Reading
