Okay, I'll fess up. I'm still on page 118. There's no excuse for it other than the fact that the holidays, damn them, are here and I had major work to do for school (it'll probably take another 10 years, but I will get that master's some day).

Anyhoo, I can still answer a few of the questions.

Although I'm only on chapter 8, I'm enjoying it immensely. It's always a pleasure to be introduced to characters who are more dysfunctional than you are. I feel much more normal by being able to laugh at them. The frightening part is that a couple of the characters remind me of people I know in real life. And then that makes me begin to wonder if I should be laughing at all.

Despite there being a lot of characters, I haven't gotten lost so far. Each of the individual stories are sectioned off inside the chapters, so I find the story's orgainization easy to follow.

I haven't read any Moore before, but I've seen stuff about The Gospel According to Biff all over the Internet, so that will probably be the next book I pick up.

I'll be back when I get to Chapter 13.

marydell | December 21, 2004 8:56 PM

I haven't finished it yet either, but not because I haven't had the time. I just can't get into it. I don't like any of the characters except Roberto, and the story kind of treads water, focusing more on the characters' idiosyncracies (which of course bugs me because I don't like the characters).

But I don't care for this genre in general, really. The whole "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" style of preposterous, silly, trying way too hard to be funny writing just doesn't appeal to me. I do, however, have a friend who would just love this. I think I'll pass it on and spread the Xmas cheer.

maya | December 22, 2004 11:14 AM

Roberto is the only one you like, Maya? What part did you leave the book at? I wonder what Roberto's done so far to make you like him more than the human characters? It's the Ray·Bans, isn't it?

Addressing you comment of the story treading water: I think this book was meant to be a light "Christmas in Pine Cove" story. Maybe Moore's other stories offer more meat to them? I enjoyed Practical Demonkeeping, which I thought had a good story and was well-told, with character's paths kris-crossing all the time...

amy | December 22, 2004 12:14 PM

Actually, the Ray-Bans are the worst part. I probably like Roberto best because he's free of inane character flaws, plus, bats are cute.

I think I'm just not much of a light humor person.

maya | December 22, 2004 12:47 PM

I agree with maya about the book trying too hard to be funny. I do think some of the jokes and characters are funny, but I think some of the characteristics of the characters are overdone and trite. Such as, the town law man being a dope smoker, or the real estate developer being evil. Come on, couldn't he think of a more original evil profession, like perhaps the evil orthadontist?

Along with the Roberto, there is another animal character, Theo's friend's dog Skinner. I like how the story flips to the dog's inner monologue. The dog calls his owner Food Guy, and longs for those tasty white squirrels in the box. It seems like there has to be something going on inside dogs' heads other than just bark bark bark, this could be it.

As for the ending. I was torn between thinking it was a cop out and a relief. As a "regular" novel I would definately say it was the "and I woke up, and it was all a dream..." thing. But as a Christmas novel I tend to cut it more slack because I guess I expect the cheese factor from almost anything Christmas. All told, I thought the book was an entertaining little read, and good for this hectic time of year.

Ali | December 22, 2004 12:48 PM

I think it'd hard to find a book that everyone thinks is funny- because everyone has different tastes in humor. Some people prefer dry humor while other like slapstick or what have you. Personally, I didn't think the book was trying too hard to be funny but there were a couple moments that I didn't find believable at all. At one point, Theo called Lena a "bitch" and I thought, "No way, man. I buy that the guy's growing a small forest of dope but no way would a law man call a woman a bitch- to her face!"

Nevermind that Lena buried the body of her ex and was feeling bad about it until Tuck made her forget all her worries...

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more unbelievable the whole story is (and I haven't even mentioned the zombies yet). But at the time of reading, it was all quite enjoyable. Maybe this book is best meant to be read and then quietly shelved in ones own personal library? Might discussing it turn it from an "enjoyable, light read" to "unbelievable, stupid drivel"?

amy | December 22, 2004 2:34 PM

I read it with an increasing sense of "oh no". I felt it was just trying too hard to be like Hitchhiker or Discworld, and not succeeding terribly well. Not having read Moore before, I didn't know what to expect but I doubt I'll read his other works after this one.

Chapter 13 illustrates the "trying too hard" bit in a nutshell -- I think we're supposed to say "Oh, how clever!" but all I thought was "yawn". Ditto Chapter 16.

Laura | December 22, 2004 4:56 PM

Hey everybody: National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation is hosting a Q & A with Christopher Moore about "The Stupidest Angel" right this very second. If you can't tune it in on your local public radio station, or if you just can't get to it right now, go to www.npr.org to listen.

maya | December 23, 2004 3:50 PM

Oh lord...i think i am the only one who thought this novel was fantastic. It was right up my alley. Incredibly ironic how this was my first bookblog read and it perfectly fit my tastes.

I agree 100% with the concept that everyone has different styles of humor, obviously i prefer the dark and obscure. I have reccommended this book to EVERYONE i have spoken to in the last month, knowing full well that only about 3 people would actually enjoy it. The text is absolutely brimming with sarcasm and the most absurd references known to man.

And chapters 13 and 16...i thought them to be a riot.

I wish i had known beforehand that some of the characters were featured in Moore's previous books...i would have bought them like it was my job. By FAR my favorite character was Molly a.k.a Kendra, Warrior Babe of the Outland. But i wouldn't mind revisiting Theo, Mavis, Tucker Case or The Narrator.

However, after all this gushing, i must complain about the ending. I definitely felt it to be a cop out. Especially after i enjoyed everything prior so immensely. I was pretty dissappointed. But, i let it go because i held all previous pages in such high regard.

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a goodnight

Ashley | December 24, 2004 3:12 AM

Hi Ashley! Glad you joined the blog, and glad you liked the book. I'm not sure how you find the humor in this book "dark and obscure," as I thought it was more lighthearted and obvious, but like you said, different tastes.

I said earlier that I didn't like any of the characters but Roberto, but you know something, I've changed my mind. I also like Raziel. He's just so charmingly stupid, he won me over. I think he was a welcome reprieve from the otherwise heavily dripping sarcasm I felt from the rest of the characters. I hear he also appears in "Lamb," which I might try out. A reviewer on Amazon referred to "The Stupidest Angel" as "Moore light," so I'll keep an open mind until I've read more of his stuff.

maya | December 24, 2004 12:43 PM

I finally made it to Chapter 13, so I'm back. It cracked me up, especially the title: "For Luck, There Is No Chapter 13." It was a timely break since Raziel just failed at his Christmas miracle (although he did make all the people in the cemetary go Night of the Living Dead).

Like Ashley, I think this book is fantastic, but I haven't gotten to the end yet. I guess I'll be back at that point as well.

As for the comments from people who didn't enjoy this book, they remind me of the discussion we had on A Confederacy of Dunces. That book, like this one, is filled with unlikable characters. Also, I think both are farces rather than serious novels. A lot of people didn't like Confederacy either, so I'm guessing that this kind of humor does not have universal appeal. Either it's up your alley or it isn't.

marydell | December 27, 2004 9:08 AM

Marydell, it's not that this was "filled with unlikable characters" (although I would agree that Confederacy was), it's that I didn't *care* about these characters. As Amy said in her original post, it's a reunion special sort of book. Perhaps that's what I had a problem with - there was too much exposition, too much repetition, too many people, and not enough plot there. What I mean by that is that almost every time we met someone, Moore had to reintroduce them. And the plot just seemed to serve as a device to get all these people into one book, rather than the other way around.

It's true, too, that senses of humor are different. This wasn't "dark" or "light", and I didn't really get the feeling that it was satire. It just wasn't my cup of tea, although the elements were there (I love Discworld, for example, which has a similar feel but for some reason works for me better than this did).

Laura | December 27, 2004 9:58 AM

Laura, the characters must be unlikable if you don't care what happens to them. Since I've never read any of Moore's books, I guess the background info didn't even phase me. I saw them as all being funny and eccentric, and I was actually able to relate some of their quirks to people I know in real life. That helped me like all of the characters and want to know what was going to happen in the end.

marydell | December 28, 2004 9:02 PM

I've been a fan of Chris Moore (Author Guy) for 6 years now, read all of his stuff, love it all. TSA is not his best and not his worst. It's a fun return to Pine Cove, the town featured in "Practical Demonkeeping" and "The Lust Lizard of Meloncholy Cove". Yes, there's alot of talk about "LAMB" on the net, and it is a fantastic novel, but I recommend reading his books in order if you can. It's true that there are some inside jokes with the recurring characters, so by reading them in order you won't miss anything. Here's a quick and simple breakdown of his books.

1. Practical Demonkeeping - Author Guy's first novel. Hillarious writing style, goofy characters.

2. Bloodsucking Fiends (A Love Story) - In my opinion this is Author Guy's funniest novel. Modern vampire tale set in San Francisco.

3. Coyote Blue - The authors research really shines through in this hillarious tale of an American Indian who has run from his childhood on the reservation to a life of excess as a top insurance salesman. The Trickster God, Coyote, pays him a visit and messes with his life.

4. Island of the Sequined Love Nun - Hillarious tale set in Micronesia. It's difficult to discuss the plot of this one without spoilers, let's just say the author's research pays off once again. His humor and eye for detail really shine in this one.

5. The Lust Lizard of Melencholy Cove - We return to Pine Cove in this one, like Demonkeeping and TSA, Lizard is a brilliantly silly tale with lots of wacky characters and bizzare situations.

6. LAMB (The Gosple According To Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal) - This novel is a truly brilliant view into the first 30 years of Christ's life. It's hillarious and delicately written. Author Guy pays a respectful homage to Joshua (Jesus). He introduces us to Biff, Christ's pal the bible didn't mention. Biff is Christ's sidekick, his wingman, his true friend. LAMB is not only funny, but insightful and touching as well.

7. Fluke (Or I Know Why The Winged Whale Sings) - This novel is funny, but what really makes this book shine is the imagination of the author. I don't want to spoil anything, so let's just say this one is like Moby Dick in the 5th Dimension.

8. The Stupidest Angel - Well, you guys have read this one, so............

As for the comments about Chris being a Douglass Adams or Terry Pratchett wannabe, you're dead wrong. I just don't see where the connection is to those two writers, other than the fact that all three write humorous prose. The styles are very different.

One very cool thing about The Author Guy is the way he is with his fans. Very down to earth, if you email him, he returns the email personally. He discusses all kinds of things with his fans at his BBS site, mostly just goofs off with them. He's a cool dude. :)

Dave | January 2, 2005 7:53 PM

Yeah, I'm a hardcore CM fan. I've read all his books as well. I won't summarize them, because Dave has already done a fine job. But a ton of the characters in The Stupidest Angel have appeared in his other books and it's really easier to understand TSA if you've already read the others.

Practical Demonkeeping and Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove are both set in Pine Cove. All the Pine Cove regulars appear in these (Theo, Molly, Mavis, etc.) Tucker Case is the main character of Island of the Sequened Love Nun, in which he acquires Roberto. Raziel appears in Lamb.

See, if you don't know what Tucker Case has been through, he comes off as kinda an asshole. Well, he is kinda an asshole. But he's nice once you get to know him, and you get to know him in Island of the Sequened Love Nun. The Pine Cove regulars are a bit quirky. The Gift of the Magi thing that Theo and Molly do seems less trite if you already know those characters as well.
yeah, I should stop babbling now.

katarina navane | January 2, 2005 8:37 PM

Dave and Katarina, it's nice to have some of Chris Moore's faithful drop by in defense of the author.

Humor is such a subjective thing, and you can't expect everyone to find something funny. Maybe reading the books in order would help, but that's an unrealistic expectation. Moore would never gain new readers because not everyone is going to invest time in #1-7 in order to understand #8.

That being said, I enjoyed the book immensely until the end. Raziel wasn't stupid enough. But, like Ashley, I let it go since the rest of the book was quite enjoyable.

marydell | January 2, 2005 10:29 PM

just another moore fan stopping by...

first discovered lust lizzard couldn't stop laughing the whole read...

it takes alot to get a late 50 something avid reader to start searching for every book an author has written - but after LL, i had bought and read all his works within months.

this author is so delightful, i actually buy the hardcover editions rather than wait for paper... can't restrain meself!

this year, i spent quite a few months reading - recouping from a broken back - after clearing out all of the author guy's books, i emailed him on a whim to bemoan the end of the cycle. was stunned to get a personal response to what i had assumed was a publisher's site. recently discovered the website - and as the oldest member - find it refreshing to see how many young people are also devouring his work.

Stupidest Angel was like a christmas gift to those of us who love his work. it is light and funny and off-beat and NOT another typical christmas story... a refreshing change.

as for comparing him to pratchett or adams, there is none. after polishing off his books during the recouping, i read the entire disc world series and all of pratchett's young adult series. both are wonderful writers - with eclectic views of the world(s) - but are totally different in approach.

my suggestion to yall, read all of moore, you'll be glad you did and you'll start checking out future release dates religiously (not to mention, it's cheaper than codeine if you're mending bones).

pratchett - disc world series - some are better than others, but it is fun to see recurring characters and common themes crop up. so, don't give up - read pratchett from the beginning to get the inside jokes.

chris moore's works - well you can read out of sync, but it is more fun to read in order. you get to know and love the places and characters that way.

happy reading!

edrie | January 3, 2005 4:03 AM

Marydell: Thanks for the response. I have one clarification. I wasn't suggesting reading them in order just to understand TSA. Like edrie said, you can read them out of order and they're still funny. But it's just more fun reading them in order. To clarify my suggestion: Read Practical Demonkeeping, if you enjoy it, move onto Bloodsucking Fiends and so on down the line, if you don't enjoy it, so be it. There's millions of books out there to enjoy. It seems like you and some others here at bookblog did like TSA. All I'm saying is if you like TSA you'll most likely LOVE most of his others. If you're going to attempt to read some of his others, why not start from the beginning? If you have as much fun as I did reading them, by the time you're finished with book #7, you'll probably want to re-read book #8 just to catch those inside jokes you may have missed.

Anyway, Happy New Year and Happy reading, whatever your future reading may be!

Dave S. | January 3, 2005 8:03 AM

This book was returning to an old friend you haven't seen in a while and you feel that no time has been lost. You pick up right where you left off. Silly, goofy, with the ever poignant moment where Raziel meets Molly, removes her scar and Josh thinking he's hosed finds out he's not because Mom's not home. Anyone who's been a kid, had kids, is still a kid at heart will appreciate this book especially when Christmas can put some of us into the blues big time. I really wanted to spend Christmas at the Lonesome and felt as if I was there. I can honestly say that whatever meds this guy is on, don't take him off and can I have some?

Jill | January 3, 2005 11:07 AM

marydell, thank you so much for the warm welcome! i am over the moon about this blog, its an amazing concept.

I liked the first selection so much i already went out and bought Running With Scissors. And for the record, i think we all got it (The Stupidest Angel), thats the beauty of art. You can take a fine work any which way you please. Like it, hate it, adore it, abhor it...its open to YOUR (our) interpretation.

love

Ashley | January 3, 2005 11:25 AM

Edrie, thanks for stopping by and for sharing your connection to Moore's work. There's so much contemporary writing out there that's a total bore, it's a good thing when you find an author to be enthusiastic about. I feel that way about Chuck Palahniuk (I made BookBlog read two of his books), and I'm always dying for the next book to come out.

Dave S., I enjoyed The Stupidest Angel enough that I'll read more Moore in the future. Of course, being a bookblogger, I have huge ass piles of books to get through. Following your suggestion, I'll add Practical Demonkeeping to one of them.

Jill, you make TSA sound like a reunion special. Since it was my first Moore read, I saw more like Buffy, The Vampire Slayer meets Twin Peaks.

Ashley, I'm so glad you're enjoying yourself. I guess I better get off my butt and buy the next selection. :)

marydell | January 3, 2005 9:41 PM

Moore fans, unite! I've been away for a while (opening presents, spraining ankle and whatnot) and was really pleased to see that some fans have come over to explain (and defend) Moore.

Some people loved it, some people didn't. I guess the important thing is that we're getting people who did like it addicted to Moore. Mooooore. Must have Moooore.

Let me answer my questions, because I never did:

1. Yeah, Practical Demonkeeping.

2. No. And I'm a little jealous of those who did get to have that feeling. But it was nice to get back to Pine Cove.

3. Yes. Not so much under microscopic scrutiny but I still plan on becoming a Moore junkie.

4. I really enjoyed it. I thought this was a brilliant example of how words can be used to describe something so well, that you can see in your head what the author's talking about.

5. Funny. I was looking forward to this chapter since reading about it at the start of the book. Nice surprise.

6. I think I did a couple times, but nothing too serious.

7. Kind of a cop-out, I thought, but you can't have a Christmas novel that ends in all kinds of death and zombies and mess. So it was nice in a way. I think that was the "Heartwarming" part.

8. Well, I'm half-way through Island of the Sequined Love Nun and I'm very interested in seeing how everything's going to play out. I think I'll move on to Bloodsucking Fiends next because I love me a good vampire story.

amy | January 5, 2005 8:20 AM