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silenttwg's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
When a couple, whose toxic marriage is destroying them more each day, meet their untimely death at a Tijuana Donkey Show (yes, completely that kind of show), they find out that there are things after death they forgot to share with humanity. Vincent becomes a Death and Wanda becomes a Banshee. They accidentally set of a war that's been brewing while Vincent tries to start a new life for himself and Wanda just stalks him with the anger of a very bitter person.
Anyway, when I snagged this, I had no clue what I was walking into. Totally went in blind and enjoyed it quite a bit. It's a dark comedy/romance and felt familiar in many different ways. Want to take poor Vincent and tell him not everyone is like Wanda, and you want thump Wanda on the nose, tell her to behave. Or I guess have a donkey give her a solid send-off to the next life.
This cracked me up and I'm not sure where I picked it up from, but I'm glad I did. It's worth at least a read if not a couple.
Anyway, when I snagged this, I had no clue what I was walking into. Totally went in blind and enjoyed it quite a bit. It's a dark comedy/romance and felt familiar in many different ways. Want to take poor Vincent and tell him not everyone is like Wanda, and you want thump Wanda on the nose, tell her to behave. Or I guess have a donkey give her a solid send-off to the next life.
This cracked me up and I'm not sure where I picked it up from, but I'm glad I did. It's worth at least a read if not a couple.
shotterwriting's review
4.0
I haven't read much bizarro or absurdist fiction, so I'm far from an expert on the subject. That said, "Death Gets a Book" for the most part struck me as pretty much exactly what I imagined it would be, which I'd say makes it a success and a good representation of the genre.
As one might expect, there are recognizable elements at play here, such as a clearly-defined premise, cast of characters, and "rules" to the way things operate that act as a sort of foundational guide, which prevents the more ludicrous aspects of the story from launching it completely off the rails. It's hard to talk specifically about those more "out there" portions of the book without venturing into spoiler territory but rest assured that they are sufficiently quirky and abundant that they should more than satisfy anyone seeking them.
What some readers may not anticipate, and may not care for, are the frequently crass and potentially-provocative moments throughout the text that seem clearly designed to offend the easily offended. Not being easily offended, I found myself simply shrugging these off beyond noting them but for this purpose, I'd say they're worth mentioning as a sort of content warning for those who don't enjoy having their buttons pushed or their feathers ruffled. Additionally, if you're not a fan of prose that's at times a bit rough around the edges, or the sorts of crude, brash, and boorish humor that was common in films and other media of the 70's and 80's such as "Caddyshack" or "Used Cars," you likely won't make it past the first chapter.
All that being said, I ultimately enjoyed "Death Gets a Book" as an interesting and worthwhile diversion from the sorts of things I typically read and give it a thumbs up for the things I feel it did well.
A final note regarding my score: For me, this was a 3.25 but I'm rounding up to a 4 as I don't feel it would be fair to the book or the author to underrate it with a 3.
As one might expect, there are recognizable elements at play here, such as a clearly-defined premise, cast of characters, and "rules" to the way things operate that act as a sort of foundational guide, which prevents the more ludicrous aspects of the story from launching it completely off the rails. It's hard to talk specifically about those more "out there" portions of the book without venturing into spoiler territory but rest assured that they are sufficiently quirky and abundant that they should more than satisfy anyone seeking them.
What some readers may not anticipate, and may not care for, are the frequently crass and potentially-provocative moments throughout the text that seem clearly designed to offend the easily offended. Not being easily offended, I found myself simply shrugging these off beyond noting them but for this purpose, I'd say they're worth mentioning as a sort of content warning for those who don't enjoy having their buttons pushed or their feathers ruffled. Additionally, if you're not a fan of prose that's at times a bit rough around the edges, or the sorts of crude, brash, and boorish humor that was common in films and other media of the 70's and 80's such as "Caddyshack" or "Used Cars," you likely won't make it past the first chapter.
All that being said, I ultimately enjoyed "Death Gets a Book" as an interesting and worthwhile diversion from the sorts of things I typically read and give it a thumbs up for the things I feel it did well.
A final note regarding my score: For me, this was a 3.25 but I'm rounding up to a 4 as I don't feel it would be fair to the book or the author to underrate it with a 3.
kaiju_poet's review
5.0
Edler's book starts with a Tijuana donkey show, and ends with a cough drop. In between is a ton of bizarre action, some romance, and a lot of legally questionable corporate ethics. I really enjoyed this book. I think Edler's has a real flare for comedic timing that makes every moment of Death Gets a Book a joy to consume.
josephvanburen's review
4.0
Book Gets A Review
You know how when you get a new job, sometimes they just throw you in the fire with no training and let you suck at it until you figure it out? Well, this book answers the question: what about if that job was being death? I wasn't sure what to expect from reading this, but I enjoyed it. Genuinely funny, vulgar and gross but also whimsical and a solid story. It's kind of like a cross between a Tim Burton movie and a South Park episode. Good stuff.
You know how when you get a new job, sometimes they just throw you in the fire with no training and let you suck at it until you figure it out? Well, this book answers the question: what about if that job was being death? I wasn't sure what to expect from reading this, but I enjoyed it. Genuinely funny, vulgar and gross but also whimsical and a solid story. It's kind of like a cross between a Tim Burton movie and a South Park episode. Good stuff.
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