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burner_32's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rlintott's review against another edition
4.0
A wickedly cynical take on the story of biblical David. Told from his perspective, the book is irreverent and at times vulgar, and always hilarious. Just fantastic typical Heller.
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
5.0
“Destiny is a good thing to accept when it's going your way. When it isn't, don't call it destiny; call it injustice, treachery, or simple bad luck.”
"Always do unto others what is best for you."
It is with acrid enjoyment that I finish Joseph Heller's snarky retelling of the story of King David of the Bible. My current journey with God is troubled one, with grim deafening silence abound with an uneasy tension. Still I plough on.
I actually highly recommend this book at all believers with a crisis in faith. It is good to read, and once in while, laugh at how absurb this faith we hold steadfast to. After the laughter and tears, maybe then you have the strength to carry on
"Always do unto others what is best for you."
It is with acrid enjoyment that I finish Joseph Heller's snarky retelling of the story of King David of the Bible. My current journey with God is troubled one, with grim deafening silence abound with an uneasy tension. Still I plough on.
I actually highly recommend this book at all believers with a crisis in faith. It is good to read, and once in while, laugh at how absurb this faith we hold steadfast to. After the laughter and tears, maybe then you have the strength to carry on
mcfade28's review
3.0
A satirical novel in Joseph Heller's usual style from the perspective of King David (as in David and the Goliath). I'm not religious, but upon doing some googling after I finished, I realised that the novel covers a lot of Biblical events, such as his infidelity and infighting between his children. Similar to Heller's other work, it basically covers a lot of entertaining rambling about aging, his sex life (or lackthereof) and world weariness.
I enjoyed it well enough but I felt it covered a lot of the same ground as his other novels, particularly Good as Gold and Something Happened. The latter at least felt like a much stronger novel.
I believe I just have one last Heller to go before I've read all his novels. Hoping it's a great one!
I enjoyed it well enough but I felt it covered a lot of the same ground as his other novels, particularly Good as Gold and Something Happened. The latter at least felt like a much stronger novel.
I believe I just have one last Heller to go before I've read all his novels. Hoping it's a great one!
gdollinger's review against another edition
4.0
The 9th century BC Biblical King David with the sensibility of a 20th century Brooklyn Jew. An old story with comic flourishes.
boredcat99's review
1.0
I read this book for a bookclub and the whole time I was wincing, thinking of the ladies in the group who would be put off by the use of language and earthy content. This falls somewhere between "when are we going to get to the good stuff" and "TMI." I did learn that if you give an alabastar bathtub to one wife, they are all going to want one. Well, except Abigail - she's so practical. The most interesting parts of this book were concerning David's different relationships with his different wives. There were some funny bits, but a lot of it was meant to be funny, and yet I wasn't amused. I might have liked this book more when I was in my teens or twenties, had I read it then.
punkstronomer's review against another edition
4.0
Un rey David postrado, con sus potencias (políticas, sexuales) menguantes, repasa sus guerras, hijos, amantes. Alardea, desmitifica, se confunde. Una narración brillante (incluso tal vez maestra), pero que en su constante intertextualidad con el Antiguo Testamento (en particular con el libro de Samuel), se hace una lectura lenta. Hay un numero limitado de Absalones, Abishais, Abners y Abigailes (para limitarnos a los que empiezan con Ab) que uno puede aguantar.
jossarian4's review
4.0
While not great, it's certainly entertaining to hear Bible characters talk in Biblical language, turn to each other, and say: "What the fuck did you just say?" with the answer being: "I'm not sure."
graced's review
3.0
Heller's novel fills in the biblical silences that surround the story of King David. Growing bitter in his old age over his lost communication with God, David recounts everything from his past including his defeat of Goliath, the many battles against Saul, his marriages the death of his first child and his fear that Solomon will succeed his kingship.
The novel has an extended focus on David's promiscuity, looking back at his old conquests and wishing for those sexy, exciting exploits to be part of the present.
Heller's David also leaps out of his own narrative, unchained from time and chronology. This all-chronological approach has him critiquing his own historical reception in literature and culture. He hilariously scorns over Michelangelo's Florentine statue of him "He's got me standing there uncircumcised! Who the f*** did he think I was?" and voicing his disdain of the "overrated hack William Shakespeare of England".
This rating would be higher if the novel was perhaps a bit more digestible. It read at times as just the persistent ravings of a bitter man- which of course was the aim of characterisation- but this can become tedious at times.
I think a base knowledge of the biblical King David would be needed to fully appreciate the novels subversions and therefore might limit some readers enjoyment.
The novel has an extended focus on David's promiscuity, looking back at his old conquests and wishing for those sexy, exciting exploits to be part of the present.
Heller's David also leaps out of his own narrative, unchained from time and chronology. This all-chronological approach has him critiquing his own historical reception in literature and culture. He hilariously scorns over Michelangelo's Florentine statue of him "He's got me standing there uncircumcised! Who the f*** did he think I was?" and voicing his disdain of the "overrated hack William Shakespeare of England".
This rating would be higher if the novel was perhaps a bit more digestible. It read at times as just the persistent ravings of a bitter man- which of course was the aim of characterisation- but this can become tedious at times.
I think a base knowledge of the biblical King David would be needed to fully appreciate the novels subversions and therefore might limit some readers enjoyment.
niandra's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0