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The Stupidest Angel
Book Review
Christmas will never be the same again.
by Carlos R Savournin
Imagine a small town nestled far from the winding labyrinth of city streets and busy highways. Come winter, the entire town bustles with glee, anticipating a Christmas party for all to join; family, friends, children and neighbors. There’s food galore, Christmas carols to be sung, and if you wait long enough, you just may witness an honest to jolly Christmas miracle.
Yes, I know, Christmas is long over (even though we’re still suffering the financial effects of it). So why would we review a Christmas novel in the middle of February? Because this isn’t your run of the mill feel good holiday tale. This is Christopher Moore’s psychotically delicious The Stupidest Angel – a heartwarming tale of Christmas terror.
Moore’s lively characters live in Pine Cove, California, a tiny community that…well, they’re the group of saps doing everything in the first paragraph. Their stories weave in and out of each others’ lives and we follow along by Moore’s hysterical pen stroke, and the moment little Josh sees Santa Claus take a shovel to the head, we know that we’re not in the land of Charles Dickens. Of course, Josh didn’t see the real Santa being killed, but for all he knew, he did. So he has a prayer – one single request. Fearing he will not receive his X-Box 2, he prays that Santa return from the dead.
Enter the title character; an angel with a mission. He has been sent to Earth searching for a Christmas miracle to perform and it is Joshua’s prayer he hears. A miracle he does perform; one that turns every dead body in town into walking zombies. Now, imagine a small town nestled far from the winding labyrinth of city streets and busy highways. Come winter, the entire town bustles with zombies. Family, friends, children and neighbors are food galore. That is a Christopher Moore kind of Christmas.
Moore’s playfulness with words and wonderful characters make the absurd story easy to read if you can stop laughing long enough to wipe your eyes and turn the page. What’s truly scary is the fact that everyone can relate to anyone or all of these characters at any given time, and that’s what makes them so much fun. Moore’s found a way to tap into our subconscious long enough to keep us bound to his book, and when you finish the last page, you’re thirsty for more.
The latest version of this book (it was originally released in 2004) has a tag that reads *Version 2.0* and the “2.0” consists of an additional 20 some odd pages that give old fans something new, and new fans something more. It’s a book that can be read any time of year, but enjoyed most if you gather your family ‘round the Christmas tree and tell them you have a new story for the holidays; one that will make them laugh their brains out.
With superior being a bright full moon, this book rates:
Read the exclusive Moonlit Path interview with Chris Moore by clicking here.
© Savournin, 2006