Journal Entry 1 by Zambonigirl from Mountain View, California USA on Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Book Description:

Take a wonderfully crazed excursion into the demented heart of a tropical paradise -- a world of cargo cults, cannibals, mad scientists, ninjas, and talking fruit bats. Our bumbling hero is Tucker Case, a hopeless geek trapped in a cool guy's body, who makes a living as a pilot for the Mary Jean Cosmetics Corporation. But when he demolishes his boss's pink plane during a drunken airborne liaison, Tuck must run for his life from Mary Jean's goons. Now there's only one employment opportunity left for him: piloting shady secret missions for an unscrupulous medical missionary and a sexy blond High Priestess on the remotest of Micronesian hells. Here is a brazen, ingenious, irreverent, wickedly funny novel from a modern master of the outrageous.

 

Journal Entry 2 by bethieb from Hopkinsville, Kentucky USA on Saturday, September 25, 2004

Thanks to Zambonigirl for sharing!

Christopher Moore has to be one of the most original writers out there! This one cracked me up so often that I was getting comments from people in the other room. At least my husband was there to explain the crazy laughter.

Passing across the bed to Jim, then will be released.

Reserved for icekween01. 

Journal Entry 3 by bethieb from Hopkinsville, Kentucky USA on Monday, December 06, 2004

Mailed to icekween01 

Journal Entry 4 by icekween01 from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Saturday, December 11, 2004

Journal Entry 5 by icekween01 from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Thursday, December 23, 2004

Journal Entry 6 by icekween01 at released to fellow Bookcrosser in St. Louis, Missouri USA on Saturday, December 25, 2004

Journal Entry 7 by MollyGrue from Tacoma, Washington USA on Saturday, April 16, 2005

I do have a few rings ahead of this, but I shoudld get to this soon. 

Journal Entry 8 by MollyGrue from Tacoma, Washington USA on Saturday, May 07, 2005

Lovely book, this. Not as laugh-out-loud funny as some of his other books, but really quite good.

Reserved for the next reader. 

Journal Entry 9 by MollyGrue at in the mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, May 07, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (5/7/2005 UTC) at in the mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Sent to Caligula03. Happy reading!

DC# 03022940000169565547 

Journal Entry 10 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Book has arrived. Thank you. 

Journal Entry 11 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Sunday, May 22, 2005

Island of the Sequined Love Nun is an enjoyable and quick read but Moore's story telling skills are rougher than his later books. There were a few times when I had to go back to reread a page or two when the plot went in a direction I wasn't expecting or a description didn't make sense the first time. My favorite character has to be Roberto the talking bat. He is a classic Moore character. 

Journal Entry 12 by caligula03 at on Sunday, May 22, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (6/2/2005 UTC) at

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Mailng to HallieK. 

Journal Entry 13 by HallieK from Austin, Texas USA on Thursday, June 16, 2005

Came in the mail yesterday. I'm in the middle of 2 books now, but this one is next. I love the covers of Moore's books! 

Journal Entry 14 by HallieK from Austin, Texas USA on Thursday, June 30, 2005

Oh man, these just keep getting funnier! I love this guy. He's my new Ohio hero (I grew up in Ohio, too)! The talking bat is one of the funniest things I've ever read. Great story! Thanks for sharing icekween01!

Mailed out 7/1/05 

Journal Entry 15 by Sherri5762 from Houston, Texas USA on Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Rec'd in yesterday's mail. Perfect timing, too, as I just finished several library books and had nothing to read! 

Journal Entry 16 by Sherri5762 from Houston, Texas USA on Friday, July 08, 2005

Great read!! It kept my interest the whole time, I finished it in less than two days. What more can you say? LOL. I didn't think the talking fruit bat was as interesting as the others who mentioned it. I loved Kimi for some reason, and the cannibal Sarapul. Detested the Sky Priestess, that woman was whacko. Good fun story.

I'll get it on it's way asap.
 

Journal Entry 17 by Ramya from Plainsboro, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, July 20, 2005

This arrived in yesterday's mail -- it just might have to jump ahead of a few other rings I have waiting! ;-) 

Journal Entry 18 by Ramya from Plainsboro, New Jersey USA on Friday, September 02, 2005

I rate Moore's "Lamb : the gospel according to Biff, Christ's childhood pal" above the Love Nun, but there were were plenty of belly-laughs throughout this book, making it perfect reading for a low-key vacation at home after a stressful summer at work -- an excellent way to unwind!

I'll be sending this off to Ebumu as soon as I have an address.

Thanks, icekween01, for setting up this ring! 

Journal Entry 19 by Ramya from Plainsboro, New Jersey USA on Monday, September 12, 2005

Off to Ebumu in today's mail. Thanks again, icekween01, for setting up this ring! 

Journal Entry 20 by Ebumu from Ithaca, New York USA on Monday, September 19, 2005

This arrived today with a nice bookish postcard from Princeton, NJ--thanks Ramya. Judging from its previous reviews, it may indeed be a ring jumper. I've been having trouble getting into Kite Runner, my other ring of the moment, mainly because I assume things are going to go bad pretty quickly. Maybe something fun first... thank you all! 

Journal Entry 21 by Ebumu from Ithaca, New York USA on Monday, September 26, 2005

Journal Entry 22 by tutleymutley from Newton Abbot, Devon United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Woohoo! I'd completely forgotten I'd requested this! I LOVE Christopher Moore and I've already started reading it, even tho' I've half a dozen things I ought to be prioritising.
Actually got this several days ago and took a while to journal its capture. sorry.
And it's my birthday tomorrow. Thank you Icekween, and Zambonigirl AND Ebumu. Love that dog. 

Journal Entry 23 by tutleymutley from Newton Abbot, Devon United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Like MollyGrue and Caligula03, I didn't think this was one of Moore's best, but I still rate it highly - the man is a comic genius and the ending was fab.
I've held on to this for rather a long time - I lost track in the middle and a few books got read in between, but once I'd picked it up again it was a romp.
Happy New Year everyone - and I'm emailing Dodau now... 

Journal Entry 24 by dodau from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Recieved this morning. I love Christopher Moore so am really looking forward to this one. Will read next. 

Journal Entry 25 by dodau from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire United Kingdom on Sunday, January 15, 2006

I love this author and I love his books. This is the third I've read and I have another on mount TBR. I can't put his books down when I pick them up. This is a hilarious romp about a disgraced pilot who gets a job offer too good to be true and it is. Funny from start to finish. 

Journal Entry 26 by dodau at Surface Mail in Fellow Bookcrosser, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (1/18/2006 UTC) at Surface Mail in Fellow Bookcrosser, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

 

Journal Entry 27 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Tuesday, March 07, 2006

here !!!! i love moore and can't wait to read. got one more book before this and then it's the sequined nun!! thanks dodau and icekween01 

Journal Entry 28 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Saturday, March 11, 2006

hurrah!! starting it tonight!!
also KiwiWonder is not answering/not getting the pms i've sent her. will do an iso in the forums for her to see if i can find her.

update, march 12 : heard from KiwiWonder and got the address. 

Journal Entry 29 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Wednesday, March 15, 2006

it's read and ready to be mailed probably saturday or sunday. i also got KiwiWonder's address seems that her net accesss is limited and that's the reason for the delay. about the book, well i'm a moore fan and so i liked it, but compared to all the other of his books i'd say i liked this a bit less, maybe because there were times that it was too dark, the hero too much of a loser and i didn't get to like him as the rest of his crazy loser/not too good/ and yet with that something other characters in the other books. still if not compared to his other book, this was a very fun, enjoyable read. thanks so much icekween01, dodau and the rest for getting it here. 

Journal Entry 30 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Saturday, March 18, 2006

mailed to KiwiWonder today, it should take (touch wood!) not more tha a month to get there. happy sailing. thanks everyone again for a lovely ring. 

Journal Entry 31 by KiwiWonder from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Saturday, April 08, 2006

Arrived in the mail a week ago with very fortunate timing, as I'd forgotton the book that I had been reading before this at work for the weekend. That being the case, I started this book literally as soon as I unwrapped it, and thus got myself so hooked I haven't picked up the other one I've been reading.

I've only read one other work by Moore (Bloodsucking Fiends) and I found this one quite different than that. I didn't laugh out loud as much as I expected to, but like a black comedy, this one grabs your imagination and warps it all to heck. A very good book on the whole -- some amazing plot twists I didn't expect as well as just desserts for everyone in the end. I found the allusion to well known cosmetics companies very humourous tho, especially as I'm involved with the 'real' one myself! This has been a wonderful, different, read for me and I'm thankful I got to participate in the ring!

PM'ing the next in line to get an address, should be mailed off shortly. 

Journal Entry 32 by Bulan-Purnama from Springfield, Oregon USA on Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Arrived today from kiwiWonder, thank you for mailing the book by air mail. It took only 5 days from New Zealand. That was quick. I am finishing a bookring and will start with this one next week. This is my first introduction to Christopher Moore works and hope, I won't be dissapointed. Will journal again soon. 

Journal Entry 33 by Bulan-Purnama from Springfield, Oregon USA on Wednesday, May 31, 2006

I have just finished reading this amazing story. Lots of wacky humor only Mr. Moore could write. A talking fruit bat which I thought was unique. I never heard such a thing. The whole story plot is so outlandish, it would never happen in reality. I truly enjoyed his writing and will certainly look for his books. Thanks icekween01 for sharing. I have midwinter's address and will send before end of this week.

My apologies for taking my time with this book. It was a good read indeed! 

Journal Entry 34 by Bulan-Purnama from Springfield, Oregon USA on Friday, June 02, 2006

The sequined nun is traveling again this morning to midwinter. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 35 by midwinter from Tucson, Arizona USA on Tuesday, June 13, 2006

It's here :) I've got a couple of days left on a previous bookring book, but then I'll get to this. My boyfriend might grab it from me in the meantime... 

Journal Entry 36 by Telerandil from Tucson, Arizona USA on Monday, July 03, 2006

I'm the aforementioned boyfriend of midwinter, and also someone who's read a bit of Moore recently, so she lent this one out to me while she finished up her current book.

In the Moore pantheon, this one doesn't rate as highly as the others I've read ("Practical Demonkeeping", "Lamb", and "Bloodsucking Fiends"). It was certainly an entertaining read (and I happened to like the bat), but I'm not sure what went wrong.

Read on for my wild speculations. Midwinter's prepping the book for mailing, so you'll have her thoughts soon, too. ^_^

Something I noticed about this book is that it's fairly straightforward. I had a fairly good idea what the general thrust of the story would be fairly early on, and the occasional diversion sometimes seemed more like a delay than a bit of fun in a world where things are a little pear-shaped. I would've appreciated a little more time spent on exploring the odd world that Moore creates on the titular island.

The weird and wacky bits that Moore plays with so effectively in other books fall into the background in this story, and though that makes for a more human drama, it also seems to leave Moore without his trademark trick of thinking up amusing side effects of putting magic in our disenchanted world. How his characters handle these problems often drives the plot; here, the plot seems to drive itself, and the characters and all their odd predilections are just along for the ride.

Something I enjoyed in the other books I've read was the way that Moore used character interaction with "normal" people to tell stories about the characters. As you'd expect, the bulk of the story is set on an island. This means that the potential for character interaction is limited to the few people on the island. Granted, the number of main-ish characters here is similar to that in "Bloodsucking Fiends" or "Practical Demonkeeping", but the isolation leaves little room for random encounters between the players favored by the writer's eye and everyday people. As a result, I didn't get much time to get to know the main characters, aside from essential plot interactions.

The exception to this, of course, is Tucker Case, the protagonist. From his "ride" in a pink plane to his efforts to figure out the secret of the island, the reader spends a lot of (enjoyable) time in his head. For me, however, that just made his companions on the island just a little less well-drawn by comparison.

In short, the story felt a little too rushed, too limited by the setting, and too strongly focused on the single central plot thread, compared to "Lamb", "Practical Demonkeeping", and "Bloodsucking Fiends". To Moore's credit, the story does wrap up nicely, and some dangling threads end up dangling with poetic justice. I just would have preferred to have spent enough time with the world and the characters to know that the story ended the right way.

That said, I still had fun, and it wasn't so long that I felt like I was slogging through it. I certainly preferred it to Margaret Atwood. In any case, I'm likely jaded from reading more Moore than is healthy. ^_^

Thanks for letting me butt in and babble. Back to midwinter, and your regularly scheduled bookray! 

Journal Entry 37 by midwinter from Tucson, Arizona USA on Monday, July 03, 2006

This was my first plunge into the world of Moore and I think it was a fairly decent starting point. The story is completely over-the-top and irreverent, but Moore manages to make it all believable...or at least plausible. As with most of these wacky books, no one is particularly likeable - there's few characters you read and say "oh! I want that life!", but it sure would be fun to do a couple of round of tropical drinks w/ them.
As with most people above, my favorite characters were Kimi and Roberto, tho I think I would have enjoyed Roberto more if he hadn't started talking. Would have been much more hilarious to watch Tuck decipher bat charades ;)
"Lust Lizard of Meloncholy Cove" is on its way to me right now, so I'll soon have another wacky Moore tale under my belt. Thanks for the bookray, everyone!
Sending on to LyekkaMarengo as soon as I have an address. 

Journal Entry 38 by LyekkaMarengo from Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania USA on Saturday, July 15, 2006

Arrived safe and sound in Central PA.

I just read my first Christopher Moore book a few months ago on a bookring and I'm hooked. He has just the kind of twisted sense of humor I like. Can't wait for this one but I have 2 rings ahead.

Thanks for the book midwinter and thanks for the ring Icekween01! 

Journal Entry 39 by LyekkaMarengo from Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, August 14, 2006

This book was not as "what the heck are you laughing about" laugh out loud funny as "The Stupidest Angel" but it was indeed twisted and pretty over the top. Which translates to I really liked it. I'm told you need to read his earlier works to get to know the characters when they show up later and I can see that is true. I'll probably have to go back and re-read "Angel" when I get through the others. This is a fairly straight-forward con men conning natives, hire disgraced pilot who asks too many questions and finds out too much escape adventure story. But once you throw in the local cannibal, a cross dressing navigator, a multiple personality Sky Princess and an adorable high fashion talking fruit bat you get a Christopher Moore story. And did I mention a pink jet flying go for blood Mary Kay satire? Anyway, you get the idea and I can't wait to start on some of his other books. I have "Blood Sucking Fiends" and "Lamb" but I'm open to any other books on rings or for trade. Thanks for this one icekween.

Mailed to gkkk4 in Franklin, MA on 08/14/2006 who had forgotten about signing up for this, but with a title this good wasn't about to pass it up. 

Journal Entry 40 by gkkk4 from Franklin, Massachusetts USA on Friday, August 25, 2006

Just received. With a title like this, who could resist?? More when I've read it... 

Journal Entry 41 by gkkk4 from Franklin, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, September 19, 2006

I have to admit it was long enough ago that I'd read "Lamb" that I didn't make the connection until a ways into it that this is the same author. I was really put off at first in this book by the incredible shallowness of the main character, and the graphically depicted injury he sustains in the first few pages - I couldn't shake it out of my head! I almost gave it up. But, something kept drawing me back, and soon I discovered I was really quite enjoying the story, and enjoying the characters after all. As others said, Roberto the bat is a winner.

I found the mixed metaphors a bit odd - Tuck as Hamlet??? followed by the religious motifs? By the end though, I felt the book was not only very entertaining, but made some interesting points about how people allow religious beliefs to spur the most amazing behaviors. OK. Don't want to really give it away, so, I've PM'd sarradee, the next reader, for her address, and will send on when she responds.

Thanks for sharing this book, it reminded me I want to read more Christopher Moore! 

Journal Entry 42 by Icesong927 from Elizabeth City, North Carolina USA on Saturday, November 25, 2006

Sorry I just noticed I never registered this when it got here. This was a good one but I think I liked the other book I have read by him a little better. 

Journal Entry 43 by SmilingSun from Westchester, Illinois USA on Friday, December 22, 2006

Thanks, just received from Icesong927. Will journal once it's been read! 

Journal Entry 44 by SmilingSun from Westchester, Illinois USA on Thursday, September 20, 2007

The Love Nun is on her way to NJ! 

Journal Entry 45 by susanmrz from not specified, not specified not specified on Friday, September 28, 2007

Received today in NJ. I will get it moving along its journey ASAP. 

Journal Entry 46 by susanmrz from not specified, not specified not specified on Saturday, December 01, 2007

Sent today to next person in line for this book ring. Thank you for sharing 

Journal Entry 47 by vzfamily from Willard, Ohio USA on Saturday, December 15, 2007

Got this yesterday! I'll get started asap. 

Journal Entry 48 by vzfamily from Willard, Ohio USA on Thursday, January 03, 2008

Not my favorite Christopher Moore book, but still a good one. Let's face it - all of his are bizarrly hilarious! I thought this started off a little slower than some of his other books. and based on reviews, I thought Rico would have had a larger role. But all in all, a funny book! Thanks for adding me to the bookring. This will be off to Lpree next week sometime! 

Journal Entry 49 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Friday, January 18, 2008

i received this a couple of days ago and plan to take advantage of the snowy weekend to read it. I'll try to get it back out as soon as possible.

thanks! 

Journal Entry 50 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Sunday, March 02, 2008

Ooh sorry for holding it so long. I did read it and enjoyed it quite a lot. His books are always so entertaining!

Anyway, I will get this moving again as soon as I get an address.

Sorry again! 

Journal Entry 51 by timollie5502 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Just got this in the mail today - thanks for sharing it!
I have a ring or two ahead of it, but will get to it soon! 

Journal Entry 52 by timollie5502 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, May 15, 2008

Just finished this today and thought it was a lot of fun :)
He always has a few spots that make me giggle - it's great - thanks for sharing!

This ring is done!
The well traveled book is now ready for a new home :) 

Journal Entry 53 by timollie5502 at handed over in person, A friend and potential bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, September 28, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (9/29/2008 UTC) at handed over in person, A friend and potential bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I passed this on to a friend for her to enjoy!