Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore

This book was fun, and I am glad I read it, but comedy books that are just for the sake of comedy are really not my thing. I was loaned the book by a friend who was certain I would like it, but... meh.


The book is about a small town that is visited by a young man and his semi-tame people eating demon. Much hilarity ensues. The book is from the perspectives of several different people, whose story lines all come together to some extent towards the end of the book.

I feel like Moore is better at interesting characters, back story and funny lines than at pacing or, I don't know, plot. The majority of the book felt like an introduction. It would have been a great introduction to a more interesting story. The rising action is confusing, the climax... I am pretty sure stuff happened and I could have read it two or three more times and figured out what it was and why it made sense, but... meh. I enjoyed the characters and their little back stories and interactions greatly, but by the time I really got a sense of the characters the book was over.

My problem is more with the comedy writing genre than with the book. It just somehow seems way more pointless than other types of fiction.

2 comments:

  1. Having read a few Christopher Moore books (though not this one), I agree that he's best at coming up with amusing characters and amusing premises but not so great at keeping the plot interesting. I would, however, possibly be interested in reading this one: http://www.amazon.com/Lamb-Gospel-According-Christs-Childhood/dp/0380813815/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275524730&sr=8-3

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  2. I have heard good things about Lamb, it sounds pretty entertaining. If I am ever forced at gunpoint to read another Christopher Moore book, I sure hope it's that one!

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