Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The Stupidest Angel by Tony Roberts, Christopher Moore

7 reviews

jhbandcats's review against another edition

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dark funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is very, very silly. That’s the intent - it’s a totally wacky Christopher Moore tale of an ex-B-actress off her meds, a cop stoned out of his mind, a glowing angel who is indeed profoundly stupid, Roberto the talking fruit bat, and crazed zombies who want to go to IKEA. See? Very silly, very Christopher Moore. 

Amongst all that are some hilarious lines - my favorite about valiant Pastafarians - and a story about the Christmas from hell. Luckily, though, wishes do sometimes come true. And the people of Pine Cove all pretty much lived happily ever after. 
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singalana's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I picked this book as “seasonally appropriate” since it takes place during Christmas. There's an author's note before the story starts that this probably isn't a book you should gift to your grandma, and I agree. Also, some of the language is dated, there's animal cruelty and some men "being men" (aka sexist behaviour), so be warned.

I'm not sure about the genre. Despite the name, there isn't much terror unless you count swearing and sex jokes. Maybe magical realism? I don't know how to classify the book. 

There's a vast cast of characters who have appeared in other books, but I didn't find it hard to follow the story or the characters. The story starts when a boy sees a man in a Santa costume murdered. He asks an angel to make Santa come back to life. And mayhem ensues. 

This book has more swearing, drugs and (tasteless) sex jokes than what I'd expect from a Christmas book. But it was also less funny and less terrifying than I expected. But I have to admit that I liked the ending, hence the rating. 
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bebidocrimes's review against another edition

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funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Quick, fun read that's pretty entertaining. Like if a Hallmark movie also had hiding a body and fighting off zombies. Painfully 2004 on a lot of topics, but it intentionally pushes some of those stances to the comical extreme, to the point it was hilarious. Gift of the Magi with drugs, but with 2004 stakes of using marijuana? I cannot and will not speak on the schizophrenic/DID writing, but I did really love Molly and am so glad she saved the day. I really can't decide if it's actually because of the time it was written, or if I am supposed to dislike Tuck, but Jesus Christ, dude. A Mexican-American woman in California is not 'exotic' please use almost any other adjective. Surprising lack of angel scenes for what the title advertises, and no zombies until the book is almost over!
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lisaarnsdorf's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

2023: hit exactly the right note for a busy holiday season: silly! Knowing all of the characters better now, especially the Angel, made this book a lot more fun. It’s a great zombie story with hilarious humans. 

2009: Not my favorite Moore, but a quick holiday read. Makes you grateful that you and yours aren't crazier! 

It was fun to see characters from other books show up in this murder/fantasy/zombie/Christmas novel. Looking forward to another Moore!
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jenmcvay's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have read this book three times - with my eyeballs twice and my earholes just now - and I love it more than Christmas. Wait, that isn't right. Christmas can be good, but includes a lot of bullshit and other irritating nonsense, whereas this book contains nothing but gold: hilarious, well developed characters - including but not limited to a talking fruit bat, a delusional and hallucinating Warrior Babe, the profoundly stupid eponymous angel, and zombies - in ridiculous situations.

Five stars with each reading - and I am likely to experience it a fourth time once I have again forgotten some of the best bits. It may be time to revisit The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove before I return to Raziel the Dumbass Angel.
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hrtlss_grl's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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roshou's review against another edition

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dark funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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