Review: A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
by Jenners • 03/13/2010 • 4 Stars, D Titles, Fiction, Humor, M Authors, Paranormal • 15 Comments
2 Words that describe the book: Dying (of) Laughter
3 Settings where it took place or characters you met:
- Setting: San Francisco, CA, modern times
- Charlie Asher—a normal guy (a “Beta Male”) with a normal life … until his wife dies shortly after childbirth and he become Death.
- Sophie—Charlie’s young daughter, who seems to have problem keeping pets alive until she gets two 400-pound hellhounds to protect her from the increasingly strange happenings that seem to happen around her and her father. And it turns out young Sophie has some special talents of her own.
- I like this author. He has such a good imagination and (often dark) sense of humor, but it is wrapped up in this amazingly compassionate and human point of view that keeps his books from being just about the jokes.
- I liked how Moore incorporated research into mythology and religion (in this case, the Tibetan Book of the Dead and creatures called Morrigans from Irish Celtic mythology) into the story.
- I liked how Moore creates these outlandish story lines, but his characters remain firmly grounded in the real world. In fact, I think this juxtaposition is what makes his books so amusing. Charlie may be Death, but he’s got a bunch of problems like anyone else.
- I liked all the little extras in my version of the book: a glow-in-the-dark cover and The Official, Christopher Moore-Sanctioned “Are You A Beta Male?” Quiz.
I’m giving the book 4 stars. If you haven’t picked up on it by now, I just adore Christopher Moore’s books. I didn’t think this book was as good as Lamb but only in the sense that I got 2.3 laughs per page instead of 4.2. If you enjoy wicked humor with an edge (and a heart), Moore is the author for you. I plan on reading everything the man has written so if I don’t get you to read something by him on this go-round, I’ll get you next time!
The Whys and Wheres: I got the book from Paperback Swap. This was my Blogroll Roulette book for the Take Another Chance Challenge. I found it on BookEnds and felt like I hit the jackpot when I saw her review!
To find out what other bloggers are saying about the book discussed in this post, visit the Book Blogs Search Engine.
And it seems that our Show Me 5 Saturday hostess is missing in action since November so I thought I’d include a Mr. Linky with my post in case you want to hook up your own contribution. I think this is a painless and fun way to write a book review so I hope to see more of you join in. You’ll find your review backlog shrinking in no time!
I loved this book and gave it 5 stars I think…but I haven't read Lamb. LOL
I have never read Moore — for some reason I don't think I'd appreciate his humor?? This has received great reviews though.
this book sounds good, I need to read this author.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Christopher Moore is coming to Seattle later this month for a reading (two, actually). I'm really excited to go!
I like humorous books, but I'm not a big fan of books that have a dark spin (like the character becoming death, and the daughter with the hellhounds) so I'll be passing on this one.
I think I've read 2, or is it 3, Moore books and one day I'd like to read them all too. Lamb was so good.
This is a new author for me, too.
My TBR pile is SO big…and it seems like every time I visit your blog I find another book or author I want to read!! Is that a good problem or a bad one!??
I have this book and Lamb on my too be read list. I can't wait to get a copy of either one of them. Maybe someone should do another giveaway?!
I have never read any of his books..I really should try one.
I keep reading great things about Moore's work and the one title that everyone seems to adore is Lamb, so I think I need to try that one.
"wicked humor with an edge (and a heart)" – I need to read a book by this guy!
I need to read this book ..Have heard really good things about the author..
This is one of the few Moore books I haven't read. I really should rectify that.
I love this book. It was a five star rating for me. I actually don't care for much for Lamb at all. I find it to be sub par for Christopher Moore.
When I was in Chicago this past fall, I visited an indie bookstore, and the owner highly recommended this series. I had limited space to bring home new books, so I passed, but you keep reminding me that these are a great series to read. I probably need to dig into these at the next RIP!