Having read a very mixed bag of reviews about Christopher Moore's new book, Fool, all I knew for sure was that if I didn't hate it like Fizzy Thoughts did, I'd probably love it (like Books & Other Thoughts did). And now that I've read it and loved it, that's the wisdom I'll pass along to you: you're going to either love it or hate it. Real helpful, right? But fear not, dear readers! I've made a handy-dandy flow chart to help you determine which camp you'll fall into.Fool is, roughly, Shakespeare's play King Lear, from the fool's point of view, and here lies the crux of the issue. Much of the shock value of Shakespeare's fools is lost on modern readers and viewers, because our standards of propriety have changed over the past five hundred years. Moore modernized his fool just enough to make me say, "Oh, no you didn't just say that!" at least once every few pages. For the first time, I truly understand the irreverence of the fool's role.
You have to be in the right frame of mind to find this guy funny, though. (In fact, he gets banished from Lear's kingdom for speaking his mind too plainly). Moore's irreverent sense of humor is in the same camp, to my mind, as Monty Python, so I think an appreciation for Python is a pretty good guage of whether you'll find this book the least bit funny.
I'm thankful I saw King Lear a couple years ago, because having that frame of reference really helped me appreciate the story. You can watch a good version from PBS's Great Performances online. If you're not familiar with the play, or it's been a while, I recommend this.
Which leads me to my flow chart. Start in the upper left-hand corner to determine whether you'll like Fool as much as I did, or you'd be a fool to waste your time with it (click on the image to view full size):
So, what do you think? Will you be reading Fool? Or, if you've already read it, do you agree with the flow chart's assumptions?
I'm reading it as soon as I can, once I make a dent in the stack of review books currently haunting me! My husband has already read it and he thought it was very funny, although not the best Moore he's ever read.
ReplyDeleteLove the flowchart - very helpful :-).
I've read all kinds of reviews on this one, so I'm on the fence. I know I won't be reading it any time soon.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the flowchart! This author is definitely not for everyone, but if you like his brand of humor, he's fabulous! I laughed out loud over and over again while reading Lamb!
ReplyDeleteLezlie
Florinda, looking forward to hearing what you think of it when you read it. I'd say it's my third favorite Moore book, after Fluke and Lamb.
ReplyDeleteBermudaOnion, Still on the fence, eh? Maybe I need to revise the flowchart. ;-)
Lezlie, Lamb was the first Moore book I read and I loved it so much that most of his others have paled in comparison. Fool is the first that comes close except for Fluke, which is my very favorite!
I have nothing against raunch. But I've also never watched an entire Monty Python. I have laughed at the bits I've seen, though. So unfortunately, your flow chart doesn't predict my loathing of Fool.
ReplyDeleteLamb is one of my favorite books, ever. It's at the top of the Moore list. Followed by Island of the Sequined Love Nuns, because I think he did a bang up job of explaining cargo cults. Better than any anthropology prof I ever had. Have you read Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove? If not, you should read it when you're visiting the Central Coast, since it's set in a fictionalized (is that a word?) SLO County. Pine Cove is Cambria.
Softdrink, OK, strike one for the flow chart. That reminds me, I was going to link to your review! I'll edit it in. I did read Island of the Sequined Love Nuns, liked it. Can't remember if I've read Lust Lizard, I'll definitely try to read it before July if we come down.
ReplyDeleteYour flow chart had me rolling! But I have to admit I've never seen any of the Monty Python movies...*hanging head*...and we even own them as hubby is an enormous fan. But hey, it does sound like a book I should buy for him!
ReplyDeleteGreat flow chart! I guess it's no surprise that I adore Monthy Python. And I love your point about the fool and how his shock value and irreverence are updated for our modern senses so we can really "get" his role. I took my kids to see Twelfth Night a few months ago, and I have to say, if they hadn't been with me I wouldn't have batted an eye at the "bawdy" lines. :-)
ReplyDeletePs. I added your link to my review. Thanks for letting me know!
Debi, sounds like a stay-at-home Monty Python marathon date is in order for you and your husband!
ReplyDeleteDarla, Exactly. I've found the fools really funny in many Shakespeare plays, but never shocking. Pocket was like the Andrew Dyce Clay of King Lear's time. (But I couldn't bring myself to recommend people watch that, for the flow chart)
AWESOME flow chart. What a creative way to do a little reader's advisory. I don't think I'll get to it any time soon but according to your chart I would like it! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm on the definitely reading Fool side! And your super-cool flow chart backs up my decision (lol) Monty Python is like chocolate (or hard liquor) for me - there's never enough! And oddly enough after reading softdrink's review I lusted after this book even more :P
ReplyDeleteAha, a couple more fans of irreverant and occasionally crude humor! Marie, for some reason I would never have taken you for a Monty Python fan!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I love the irony when a negative review has me ready to run out and get the book to see for myself. In this case, I already knew I'd be reading this before reading Softdrink's review, but her warnings probably helped me enjoy it more.
I LOVE Christopher Moore!!! One of my all time favorites of his is Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal--Definitely irreverant!!! I'll be reading Fool, but I think I will watch King Lear again first.
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