Journal Entry 1 by BarterHordes from Aberdeen, North Carolina USA on Sunday, April 16, 2006

This is an Advance Reader's Edition, not the published hardcover.

Like all of Moore's novels, this one is populated by a bizarre cast of freaks--and I mean that in the nicest possible way!

It isn't my favorite of his novels, but it was still impossible to stop reading it. Hilarious, complex, hilarious, well-researched, hilarious, delightfully plotted...did I say hilarious?

Because Moore's readers would rise up like the Sewer Harpies if I didn't share this one, I'm starting a bookray for it. I'm not going to spend any time arranging a mailing list, though: first come, first served. Don't be a soul stealer; keep the book moving. 

Journal Entry 2 by BarterHordes from Aberdeen, North Carolina USA on Sunday, April 16, 2006

Here's the routing list for the bookray. (New US participants are welcome; just PM me to be added to the list.)

BlueAmazon (CA)
oldreader (CA)
vzfamily (OH)
bookreadera (PA)
gothamgal (OH)
fizzfred (CA)
CheriePie (MA)
mrsordonez (MO)
keithneese (AL)
macewoman (NC)
Lucinda (CA)
tenneh (NE)
AngelfireStar (NE)
Withoutwings (FL)
Rrrcaron (NH)
YowlYY (Nottingham, UK)
timollie5502 (PA) 

Journal Entry 3 by BlueAmazon from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA on Monday, April 24, 2006

YAY! and woo-hoo! can't wait to start! 

Journal Entry 4 by BlueAmazon from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA on Thursday, April 27, 2006

that crazy Christopher Moore! he just cracks me up - is there anyone better at the one liner? I especially like Three Fingered Hu's youngest granddaughter, Cindy Lu Hu. As a language buff, I can't imagine how hard he'd be to translate for a non-US audience....

anyway, he's splendid. This isn't my favorite either, I felt like the plot was a little shakier than others of his, but I love the characters. and somebody really made 14" squirrel art which inspired him? Maybe SF is freakier than I know....

ready to go off to oldreader. Barter, THANK YOU!!! 

Journal Entry 5 by BlueAmazon from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA on Thursday, May 04, 2006

OK - I got caught up with oldreader and got her address over the weekend. have sadly been empaneled on a jury since then and unable to send. but it went out on wed. 5/3 and I'll enter the delivery conf. number later. thanks so much for this book!!! 

Journal Entry 6 by oldreader from Citrus Heights, California USA on Saturday, May 06, 2006

arrived today.Have 1 ahead of this.will read fast. 

Journal Entry 7 by oldreader from Citrus Heights, California USA on Thursday, May 18, 2006

I want to read all of his writings now.What great humor.This is an author I want more of.Keeping me laughing.Love the satyre.Cannot pick just one fave.Perhaps the highschool helper...... 

Journal Entry 8 by oldreader at US Post in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, May 18, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (5/18/2006 UTC) at US Post in Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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on the way to vz family 

Journal Entry 9 by vzfamily from Willard, Ohio USA on Thursday, June 01, 2006

Sorry it took me so long to journal this, I'm only working a few days a week right now - and I only have internet access at work for now as well. I got this in Friday's mail and started it on Tuesday!! THANKS for including me in your bookring! 

Journal Entry 10 by vzfamily from Willard, Ohio USA on Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Ah - FUNNY! I can't stop reading his books. He really does crack me up all of the time! The thoughts in that guys' head - WOW!! I just loved Sophie and the Hellhounds - they were my favs!!! Will be sending this off to bookreadera this week! Now, off to find the website for the squirrels:) 

Journal Entry 11 by vzfamily at Postal Release in Willard, Ohio USA on Thursday, June 08, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (6/8/2006 UTC) at Postal Release in Willard, Ohio USA

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Sending this book to bookreadera!! Hope it finds you safely! 

Journal Entry 12 by bookreadera from Pottstown, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, June 13, 2006

arrived today-the wrapping was trashed, it looked like something clawed at it, but the book seems fine, what a lucky book : - )
Can't wait to start. Thanks for adding me to the ring. 

Journal Entry 13 by bookreadera from Pottstown, Pennsylvania USA on Sunday, July 09, 2006

I love CM books. They are sick and twisted, but I guess that just appeals to my sense of humor : )

This wasn't my favourite, either. However, my grandmother passed away (and had been in hospice) two weeks before I read this. It would probably have been much funnier had death not been so present in my world.

Thanks for including me in the ring-2 more Moore books and I'll have read them all-yea!!

(sent off to gothamgal yesterday afternoon) 

Journal Entry 14 by gothamgal on Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Rec'd today. I have 2 more bookrings to read, and then this will be read, unless I just decide to read it while I'm reading the others, LOL. 

Journal Entry 15 by CheriePie from Campbell, California USA on Wednesday, December 06, 2006

This arrived here today. In her PM to me, gothamgal mentioned that fizzfred bought the book himself so that's why he no longer wanted it. I'm a little bit behind with rings and owed books ATM, so I might be a touch more than a month with this, but shouldn't be longer than 6-8 weeks max. If it looks like I'm not going to be able to get to it in that timeframe, I'll pass it on unread, but I doubt it'll come to that. :)

ETA - Starting it today 1/17/07. Sorry for the delay. 

Journal Entry 16 by CheriePie from Campbell, California USA on Thursday, January 18, 2007

Well, I started to read it, got through the first 4 chapters and when Mike decided he wanted to read it as well (he's really liked Moore's other work), I decided to grab a copy from BookCloseOuts for $6.99... in hardcover at that w00t w00t!. (Besides I was just itching to use one of those January coupons. LOL) So, since I have a hardcover copy on it's way to me from there, I figured I'll not hold up this ray any longer and finish reading it when my hardcover copy gets here. But I'm so totally looking forward to reading it now since I've had a teaser! LOL

I've messaged mrsordonez for her address and will get this in the mail to her shortly. Thanks BarterHordes!

UPDATE 19-JAN-2007: Packaged up and heading out to mrsordenez in Friday's mail 19-Jan-2007 via Media Mail. 

Journal Entry 17 by mrsordonez from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Sunday, January 28, 2007

Just arrived, I liked some of Moore's other novels, however the last one I read (The Stupidest Angel) left me a little disappointed. Hope this will be as good as Island of the Sequined Love Nun (my favorite so far). Will journal more upon finishing.
 

Journal Entry 18 by mrsordonez from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Monday, March 12, 2007

I'm still finishing reading, thanks for your patience. I haven't heard from keithneese yet, but went ahead and sent a message to macewoman, who promptly replied, so I have a destination for when I finish this one. 

Journal Entry 19 by mrsordonez from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Sunday, March 25, 2007

Finally finished! I loved this book. I never got a response after several PMs to the next reader, but skipped ahead to macewoman, and will be mailing off shortly.

****spoiler alert, to continue reading, highlight with right mouse button****

I loved Asher, found him a totally sympathetic character. I think this book has the best character development so far. I didn't find the people to be flat cutouts, like in "Stupidest Angel". I did find it obvious from the beginning with the dead pets that Sophie was Death, that was clear and annoying that it took Charlie so long to figure out (but maybe that is part of Charlie's charm.) Lily was perfect, and I kept imagining Jimmy Smits cast as Rivera. Ray was a likeable doofus, Jane was not too edgy as a lesbian might come off to be. I kept imagining Minty Fresh dressed up in pimp-like garb, how else would a green suit look?

I wasn't too keen on the Morrigan or Audrey. I guess I need to read up on my mythology, because I hadn't heard of them (the Morrigan) before, and had a hard time imagining what they looked like. Audrey must be in another of Moore's books somewhere, because she seemed vaguely familiar. I'm glad Rachel's soul had a place to go, but Audrey was introduced too late in the story for me to get a real feel for how I felt for her. I was only blah on that, and wouldn't it have been better if it were Lily? Maybe I liked Lily more.

All in all a very good read, have to say it is probably tied with "Island of the Sequined Love Nun" as a Moore favorite. Next book I will be diving into is The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, also by Moore, and also a ring. Click on the link to get the organizer's name if you want to join.
 

Journal Entry 20 by macewoman from Winston Salem, North Carolina USA on Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Made it safely through all of the tax mail flying around the post offices and landed on my doorstep. With the high winds I wasn't sure the postman was going to make it off my doorstep. :D
Finishing up another ring and then onto to this Dirty Job. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 21 by macewoman from Winston Salem, North Carolina USA on Saturday, May 05, 2007

Just like when I read "Lamb...", I was working at my part-time job while I read "Dirty Job", so the guys were forced to listen to me giggling and reading sections out loud. Since I've only read one other Moore book, I loved this one and I'm looking forward to reading even more. I adore his dark, slightly sick sense of humor.
Thanks to BarterHordes for sharing this with me.
I've already received Lucinda's address and the book is on its way. 

Journal Entry 22 by Lucinda from Ventura, California USA on Wednesday, May 16, 2007

This was waiting for me when I got back from vacation. I'm looking forward to reading it-- Christopher Moore is always a treat! 

Journal Entry 23 by tenneh from Verdon, Nebraska USA on Thursday, June 21, 2007

Received today. I'm leaving for Guatemala to visit our new son tomorrow but will be back Wednesday and will get started on it! :-)

I really enjoyed this one, although I can say it isn't my favorite of Moore's books. Have to love Christopher Moore!! :-) 

Journal Entry 24 by tenneh at given to another bookcrosser in Verdon, Nebraska USA on Monday, July 09, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (7/9/2007 UTC) at given to another bookcrosser in Verdon, Nebraska USA

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going to AngelfireStar 

Journal Entry 25 by AngelfireStar from Falls City, Nebraska USA on Monday, July 16, 2007

I got this a few days ago. I have a bookring ahead of it then will read it. Sorry for the delay. 

Journal Entry 26 by AngelfireStar from Falls City, Nebraska USA on Thursday, August 23, 2007

It's taking a little longer than I expected to read my current bookring. But I will be getting to this one next. Sorry for the hold up! 

Journal Entry 27 by AngelfireStar from Falls City, Nebraska USA on Monday, January 21, 2008

Forgot to comment with my opinion. It's a great book. Interesting spin on death. And as always very funny. 

Journal Entry 28 by AngelfireStar at Controlled Postal Release in Falls City, Nebraska USA on Saturday, January 26, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (1/26/2008 UTC) at Controlled Postal Release in Falls City, Nebraska USA

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sent to Rrrcaron. Forgot to release it earlier.. 

Journal Entry 29 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, February 03, 2008

I received this in the mail last week. I'm looking forward to reading it!
Ruth 

Journal Entry 30 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The book is on the move. Mailing tomorrow.
Ruth 

Journal Entry 31 by YowlYY from Nottingham, not specified not specified on Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Just landed on my doorstep! Thanks so much for shipping it all the way to me...will be starting to read it soon! 

Journal Entry 32 by YowlYY from Nottingham, not specified not specified on Thursday, April 10, 2008

I loved Charlie's story! Moore has done it again, and had me desperately trying to hide my giggling while reading this on two train journeys. The humour, dry and jumping at you from every other sentence, is the same, and the combination of characters, starting with the Emperor, to move on to the odd employees of Charlie's shop, Lily and Ray, not to mention the police inspector and the creatures from the Dark Side, they're all brilliant. The bitching and chatting of the voices from the sewer, and the conversations held with Charlie are just great.
Unlike in Lamb, where I found the second half of the book much slower, this one has no slow moments to me, and I am looking forward to reading more from him (The Island of the Sequined Love Nun is on my TBR, so maybe this will be one of my next reads!)
Now I am going to hunt for a copy of this book to keep in my collection...it is surely worth a re-read!

I have timollie5502 address and the book will be on its way today or tomorrow. Happy reading and thanks again for sharing :) 

Journal Entry 33 by timollie5502 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Wow - this arrived today! I have one ahead of it, but will start soon :)
Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 34 by timollie5502 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Friday, April 25, 2008

Just stayed up too late last night finishing this book!
I loved it, and found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, just wanting to get to it to keep reading! Not to mention that I was giggling aloud in quite a few spots :)

It looks like I am last in line for this ray, so I will leave it as available on my shelf until it finds a new home!