jazpb's review
5.0
This book delights the mind with beautiful imagery, well rounded characters, endless humor (both adult and child-like in nature), and a feeling of excitement for the next page.
I loved reading Spritzerville. It reads very much like my favorite bedtime fairy tales of my youth, but with adult themes and context. Of course, it contains the humor of a pre-teen, as well, making it that much more cheeky to read. I chortled and guffawed quite a lot.
Koivu's ability to create a landscape that you would like to jump into, or run far away from, was impressive. You could not help but feel a true sense of empathy and love for each of the characters. I never thought I would be rooting for a poo baby.
My only complaint for this book were the evil clowns. I read this part right before bed by accident, and had nightmares for the next several nights.
I loved reading Spritzerville. It reads very much like my favorite bedtime fairy tales of my youth, but with adult themes and context. Of course, it contains the humor of a pre-teen, as well, making it that much more cheeky to read. I chortled and guffawed quite a lot.
Koivu's ability to create a landscape that you would like to jump into, or run far away from, was impressive. You could not help but feel a true sense of empathy and love for each of the characters. I never thought I would be rooting for a poo baby.
My only complaint for this book were the evil clowns. I read this part right before bed by accident, and had nightmares for the next several nights.
sjj169's review
4.0
Poor Bernard Wimple. He thinks his life is boring. He lives in a small town and is going broke owning a haberdashery that no one ever buys from.
Bernard does have quite the life contrary to what he believes...from a gang of clowns chasing him,
Several pot smoking surfer rats that have taken over the cuckoo clock in his shop,
and an uncontrollably farting frog as a pet are some of his adventures.
All in all for a first book this is very good work. My only criticism would be that it's written very higher educationally. I think it would have read a tad bit better at around a 8 or 9th grade reader level. Just because of the type story it was. Jason, you do receive this from me.
I did receive a copy of this book from the author and he did not even ask for a review. That is provided just cuz I wanted too.
Bernard does have quite the life contrary to what he believes...from a gang of clowns chasing him,
Several pot smoking surfer rats that have taken over the cuckoo clock in his shop,
and an uncontrollably farting frog as a pet are some of his adventures.
All in all for a first book this is very good work. My only criticism would be that it's written very higher educationally. I think it would have read a tad bit better at around a 8 or 9th grade reader level. Just because of the type story it was. Jason, you do receive this from me.
I did receive a copy of this book from the author and he did not even ask for a review. That is provided just cuz I wanted too.
zoes_human's review
3.0
I look forward to see this writer develop his stride and gain a bit more polish. I would offer, as hopefully helpful criticism, that he sometimes belabors the point of a joke and diminish the humor by doing so. With that said, this book had many, many laugh out loud moments and my jaw ached from grinning during a few parts. His quirky humor is at it's best when it manifests in hilariously surreal situations. I also favor fart jokes over poop jokes, but I realize this is a personal preference.
tsmasi's review
3.0
I wish Goodreads would let me give 3.5 stars. I received this from the author and I agreed to read and review. The writing style reminded me of Winnie the Pooh or Wind in the Willows, a smart assed version of an old fashioned British tale. This happens to fit in with my sense of humor very well. The main character was likable and his pet Gaiety was adorable (a bloated gassy toad). Some of the story lines were a little unusual (begin chased by clowns) and some of them were charming (taking gassy toad to the vet). The illustrations were just fantastic. This is a great book for a reader with a odd twisted sense of humor- like me!
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