Scan barcode
bradland's review against another edition
1.0
I like David Duchovny and knew of his background in trying to make it as a writer before making it big as an actor on the X-Files. So saw this book and thought 'Great! Let's give this a try.' Based on his writing ambitions and his other addictions, it made him perfectly cast as Hank Moody in Califonication. So, how does Hank Moody stake up as a writer? Not well I'm afraid.
The premise has some potential, even as absurd as it is. Roald Dahl used to write stories like this regularly, regardless of how ridiculous, but whereas Dahl's books were very witty and readable, Duchovny's is not. The prose style is all over the place with too much jokey nudge nudge wink wink storytelling and obvious humour. It was clear from the beginning it started life as a screenplay, particularly when some dialogue structure reads like one, and the characters are loud and obnoxious (95% of CGI films contain loud and obnoxious characters). Overall, Duchonvy doesn't yet have the storyteller skill to handle a satirical tale like this. He says at the end this was originally rejected by Pixar as a screenplay, and with all the drug use, its hard to see how this would have made for family entertainment.
The best thing about the book is its a quick read so the overwhelming urge to throw it across the room won't reach huge heights before the end. I also read this in Hank Moody's voice which does help!
The premise has some potential, even as absurd as it is. Roald Dahl used to write stories like this regularly, regardless of how ridiculous, but whereas Dahl's books were very witty and readable, Duchovny's is not. The prose style is all over the place with too much jokey nudge nudge wink wink storytelling and obvious humour. It was clear from the beginning it started life as a screenplay, particularly when some dialogue structure reads like one, and the characters are loud and obnoxious (95% of CGI films contain loud and obnoxious characters). Overall, Duchonvy doesn't yet have the storyteller skill to handle a satirical tale like this. He says at the end this was originally rejected by Pixar as a screenplay, and with all the drug use, its hard to see how this would have made for family entertainment.
The best thing about the book is its a quick read so the overwhelming urge to throw it across the room won't reach huge heights before the end. I also read this in Hank Moody's voice which does help!
jamesarosen's review against another edition
3.0
Is it possible for a book to be both amazing and absolutely terrible? If so, this is that book.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
2.0
Quick read but really less than grand. Duchovny is a good writer, but a better actor than storyteller. Just okay.
lochnessvhs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
immoralrite's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
dphillips's review against another edition
2.0
A grown-up vegetarian fairy-tale starring a cow, pig, & turkey. Too weird for my taste.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
This is three or four stars, but I get the low stars. It definitely is strange, but that's very David Duchovny.
pammy82's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
doritobabe's review against another edition
3.0
I started this book last night and I loved it. I loved it for it's weird humor yet it's very subtle satire/political statement.
My favourite quote of the book was: " :) ". (you'll know).
But then, I hit the half way mark.
Let me say first, I may be jaded by all of the negative reviews that I read about mid-way through the book; maybe this is why I feel the way that I do about the latter half. However, by this time I also noticed that Elsie's character had become... lost and very unlike the character at the beginning. Tom and Shalom also got too weird and neurotic; hyperbolized in a way that went beyond satire. It is almost as if Duchovny lost sight of his initial story or just didn't know how to conclude what he had started. Interestingly, this book is from a cow's perspective and the whooooole theme of the book is based around "the grass is always greener" for the animals. It is only a fairy tale ("dairy tale") because it concludes with world peace and general acceptance after educating the reader about the harsh realities of factory farming and religious rivalries. How...perfect? I know Duchovny is a vegetarian and therefore he may have written the book with good intent but it becomes lost in the religious discussions and introspection later on. Like I said, it is outside of itself after a point.
Glad I read it. Would recommend the first half to anyone. Wish there was more of an adventure story rather than this...preaching.
My favourite quote of the book was: " :) ". (you'll know).
But then, I hit the half way mark.
Let me say first, I may be jaded by all of the negative reviews that I read about mid-way through the book; maybe this is why I feel the way that I do about the latter half. However, by this time I also noticed that Elsie's character had become... lost and very unlike the character at the beginning. Tom and Shalom also got too weird and neurotic; hyperbolized in a way that went beyond satire. It is almost as if Duchovny lost sight of his initial story or just didn't know how to conclude what he had started. Interestingly, this book is from a cow's perspective and the whooooole theme of the book is based around "the grass is always greener" for the animals. It is only a fairy tale ("dairy tale") because it concludes with world peace and general acceptance after educating the reader about the harsh realities of factory farming and religious rivalries. How...perfect? I know Duchovny is a vegetarian and therefore he may have written the book with good intent but it becomes lost in the religious discussions and introspection later on. Like I said, it is outside of itself after a point.
Glad I read it. Would recommend the first half to anyone. Wish there was more of an adventure story rather than this...preaching.