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A review by bradland
Holy Cow by David Duchovny
1.0
I like David Duchovny and knew of his background in trying to make it as a writer before making it big as an actor on the X-Files. So saw this book and thought 'Great! Let's give this a try.' Based on his writing ambitions and his other addictions, it made him perfectly cast as Hank Moody in Califonication. So, how does Hank Moody stake up as a writer? Not well I'm afraid.
The premise has some potential, even as absurd as it is. Roald Dahl used to write stories like this regularly, regardless of how ridiculous, but whereas Dahl's books were very witty and readable, Duchovny's is not. The prose style is all over the place with too much jokey nudge nudge wink wink storytelling and obvious humour. It was clear from the beginning it started life as a screenplay, particularly when some dialogue structure reads like one, and the characters are loud and obnoxious (95% of CGI films contain loud and obnoxious characters). Overall, Duchonvy doesn't yet have the storyteller skill to handle a satirical tale like this. He says at the end this was originally rejected by Pixar as a screenplay, and with all the drug use, its hard to see how this would have made for family entertainment.
The best thing about the book is its a quick read so the overwhelming urge to throw it across the room won't reach huge heights before the end. I also read this in Hank Moody's voice which does help!
The premise has some potential, even as absurd as it is. Roald Dahl used to write stories like this regularly, regardless of how ridiculous, but whereas Dahl's books were very witty and readable, Duchovny's is not. The prose style is all over the place with too much jokey nudge nudge wink wink storytelling and obvious humour. It was clear from the beginning it started life as a screenplay, particularly when some dialogue structure reads like one, and the characters are loud and obnoxious (95% of CGI films contain loud and obnoxious characters). Overall, Duchonvy doesn't yet have the storyteller skill to handle a satirical tale like this. He says at the end this was originally rejected by Pixar as a screenplay, and with all the drug use, its hard to see how this would have made for family entertainment.
The best thing about the book is its a quick read so the overwhelming urge to throw it across the room won't reach huge heights before the end. I also read this in Hank Moody's voice which does help!