What do You think about The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale Of Christmas Terror (2008)?
I can't even really say what this is about without giving anything away. Let's just say that the stupidest angel's mission to create a Christmas miracle goes horribly, hilariously awry in ways that only Christopher Moore could write about.This wasn't quite as funny as I expected it to be, but I think since reading A Dirty Job as my first Moore novel, my expectations for the rest have been unrealistically high. I still laughed all through the book though, and drove my husband crazy reading him funny quotes from the book that probably in all honesty made no sense out of context. The hubby's a good sport though, and laughed along with me.Here's a sampling that will hopefully make sense without giving anything away."Dressed in their red suits and fake beards, {the Salvation Army Santas} rang their bells like they were going for dog-spit gold at the Pavlov Olympics.""{A black lab} was crowding Gabe in the doorway, his beefy tail beating against the open door like a Snausage war drum.""'Merry Christmas, you doomed sons a' bitches!' said Santa."I wouldn't be surprised if Moore has spent his entire life waiting to write the book that goes with that last quote. It's just too funny!If you're feeling a little overly-sugar-and-spiced, pick this book up for a nice change of pace. Just don't buy it for your grandmother. Christopher Moore warns you against that himself.
—JG (The Introverted Reader)
I don't think a book has made me laugh this much since Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. I want to be the Warrior Babe of the Outland and fight zombies who want to eat brains and go to IKEA. I saw the movie Zombieland this past weekend and that might have just put me in the right frame of mind for this book.Humor in literature is a very subjective thing. What makes one person laugh his butt off is just dumb and annoying to someone else. I love the humor of Connie Willis and I am amused by the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. I've had quite a few laugh-out-loud moments reading Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. Personally, I just didn't find The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or the first book in the Discworld series, The Color of Magic, funny at all, but a lot of people I know love these books. So, if you read The Stupidest Angel and hate it, don't blame me. We just might not have the same taste.I don't know why I haven't read any of Christopher Moore's work before. If this is anything like his other books, I now now where to turn when I need a book that will make me laugh.Oh, and there is a parental caution. This book is definitely R-rated for sexuality, language and adult situations.
—Sandi
Christopher Moore's The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror is another audiobook to entertain, even at 5 A.M. on the commute into the city. My husband and I have gotten into a habit of listening to audiobooks in the car when we travel to and from work, and when we take little road trips.Christopher Moore's books seem to be the most addictive for us even with the sometimes dark humor and harsh content. The Stupidest Angel is no exception.The book is set in Pine Cove, Calif., where the Archangel Raziel is set upon Earth to grant a Christmas wish to one child. That child is Josh Barker. Unfortunately, Josh has no idea what is in store when he asks the angel to bring Santa Claus back to life.With characters like a Warrior babe named Molly, a pot-smoking constable--her husband, a DEA helicopter pilot, and a evil developer, among others, there was nothing to do but sit back and laugh at the follies, misunderstandings, and interactions between these characters. Of course, there had to be a speaking, sunglasses wearing, fruit bat named Roberto! These characters stumble around in their relationships with one another, insulting their spouses and their friends, only to make up in the end, but the ride is raucous.It gets even crazier in Pine Cover when Molly goes off her medications and starts hearing the narrator in her head, giving her direction. She wonders off into the woods naked and carrying a Japanese sword where she meets Raziel who only wants to eat the marshmallows out of the cocoa packets. Meanwhile, zombies are raging war against the townspeople at the Lonesome Christmas celebration in the local church. The resolution to this story is truly in the Christmas spirit, but the ride to its conclusion is hilarious and action-packed.
—Serena
