Book Review: FOOL by Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore is a funny, funny man. He is also irreverent, bawdy, and borderline sacrilegious. If that sounds like someone you might like to have a beer with, then come on in --- the water's fine :)

FOOL (published Spring 2009) is my favorite in a line of utterly fantastic books. Mr. Moore writes stand-alone novels (not every book needs to be a series, you know), but they all fit together like a matched set of poetry. Magnetic poetry. You know, the kind that you stick on the fridge and then your friends rearrange the words into a crude or completely obscure speck of wisdom?

FOOL tells the the story of King Lear, the most tragic of Shakepeare's heroes. Lear remains the crazy old man we loathe and love and his daughters are...well...not very ladylike. But somehow, Mr. Moore has turned the tale into a hysterically funny comedy. It takes the point-of-view of Pocket, his court jester (you know, the fool), and it's incredible what a simple change of perspective can do to a story.

If you are a fan of David Sedaris, Jen Lancaster, and your sense of humor runs toward sarcasm and silly puns, give FOOL a chance.  And then if you love it, try LAMB, A DIRTY JOB, BLOODSUCKING FIENDS. 

Don't take my word for it, Mr. Moore has posted the first chapter on his Web site. Here's the warning he starts the book with. Just click on the title of this posting and you'll go straight to the rest of Chapter 1.

WARNING: 

 This is a bawdy tale. Herein you will find gratuitous shagging, murder, spanking, maiming, treason, and heretofore unexplored heights of vulgarity and profanity, as well as non-traditional grammar, spit infinitives, and the odd wank. If that sort of thing bothers you, then gentle reader pass by, for we only endeavor to entertain, not to offend. That said, if that’s the sort of thing you think you might enjoy, then you have happened onto the perfect story! (Excerpt from FOOL by Christopher Moore)


Enjoy!
Sarah