Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Strange story. Funny. The demon made it a favorite.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“This is Christopher Moore's first novel and in a way it shows, but I still enjoyed this. Moore is always good for some weirdness and a laugh.
WonderBunny wrote this review Saturday, November 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Practical Demonkeeping is about the small town of Pine Cove, which appears later in additional Moore books. Travis is a drifter that comes to town looking for an old friend, but along with him comes the demon he awoke 70 years ago. Travis didn't mean to awake the demon and still have problems with the demon source of food, humans. So, with hopes of getting rid of the demon, the reader is introduced to Pine Cove and the people who live there.
This was a fun read in the past and just as enjoyable on audio. I like many of the characters but feel that there are some gaps in the flow of the story. Still a good introduction to Moore and the creatures and people that populate his novels.”
“This was my second Christopher Moore book. These are light and funny - perfect book for a trip (audiobook).”
moik wrote this review Saturday, October 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I thought this was just okay. I found it somewhat meandering and really slow to get to the point. Much like in The Stupidest Angel, the best part of the book is when the final action begins. I’m not feeling real great about these early books of Moore’s, and I’m glad he improved as he went along.”
miyurose wrote this review Monday, October 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Catch.”
Caitlin S wrote this review Sunday, October 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I still love Christopher Moore but this wasn't my favorite book, which I guess shouldn't be surprising as I believe it is his first novel. But the things I enjoy about Moore - the zany actions, the great sense of humor - are all here.”
Meg wrote this review Thursday, August 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Auntie Nanuuq said: 3 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Saturday, August 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Was this funny? It was suppose to be.....I didn't laugh. I did read it less than 12 hours....it caught my attention.
The book is: well written, contains "facts" (as much as there is about demons & djinns), was well researched, as well as creatively written. An engrossing and entertaining read.
The quite seaside town of Pine Cove, CA is in for a nasty surprise. The town is about to be visited by Travis & Catch.
Travis (now 90+ years old) inadvertently became a Demonkeeper while suffering the abuse of a priest...
Catch is a demon bound to earth by King Solomon and by invocation to Travis. Catch's nemesis ,Gian Hen Gian (freed Head King Djinn), is out to send Catch back to the depths of Hell.
Agustus Brine, owner of the local General Store is the "chosen" one who can destroy Catch...
Rachel (local Pagan/Witch) is convinced Catch is a friendly earth spirit and is about to invoke his allegiance to her...little does she know.
Amanda, who helped Travis escape the abusive priest...married to Effrom (the soldier she was engaged to while helping Travis) is the holder of the candlesticks that unbeknown to her, hold the Seals of Solomon which can invoke or destroy Catch.
Jenny is Amanda's granddaughter...she is separated from Robert (an alcoholic), has just taken Travis as her lover and is now is helping him to destroy Catch.
Although it's not funny, it is a good read.....and unlike "Fluke" I was unable to put it down.
”
“Was this funny? It was suppose to be.....I didn't laugh. I did read it less than 12 hours....it caught my attention.
Auntie Nanuuq . wrote this review Tuesday, August 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The book is: well written, contains "facts" (as much as there is about demons & djinns), was well researched, as well as creatively written. An engrossing and entertaining read.
The quite seaside town of Pine Cove, CA is in for a nasty surprise. The town is about to be visited by Travis & Catch.
Travis (now 90+ years old) inadvertently became a Demonkeeper while suffering the abuse of a priest...
Catch is a demon bound to earth by King Solomon and by invocation to Travis. Catch's nemesis ,Gian Hen Gian (freed Head King Djinn), is out to send Catch back to the depths of Hell.
Agustus Brine, owner of the local General Store is the "chosen" one who can destroy Catch...
Rachel (local Pagan/Witch) is convinced Catch is a friendly earth spirit and is about to invoke his allegiance to her...little does she know.
Amanda, who helped Travis escape the abusive priest...married to Effrom )the soldier she was engaged to while helping Travis) is the holder of the candlesticks that unbeknown to her, hold the Seals of Solomon which can invoke or destroy Catch.
Jenny is Amanda's granddaughter...she is separated from Robert (an alcoholic), has just taken Travis as her lover and is now is helping him to destroy Catch.
Although it's not funny, it is a good read.....and unlike "Fluke" I was unable to put it down.”
“I am sure by now you all know that I think Christopher Moore is a genius. So since I am late to the party (as usual), I am going back and starting from the beginning, with Mr. Moore’s first novel Practical Demon Keeping.
Christel wrote this review Monday, August 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
We journey to what has become one of my favorite little odd towns, Pine Cove. Pine Cove has the most outrageous residents. They all seem to be normal, but when they are presented with the most strange and awful circumstances they are brave and free thinking enough to believe in the impossible and they rise to the occasion (well they ARE Californians after all!). Throughout this story we follow The Breeze, Travis, Catch, Robert, Jenny, Rachel, Effrom, Amanda, Detective Rivera, Gian Hen Gian and Augustus Brine. Watching the story unfold from so many characters may seem a bit disorienting to some readers. But trust me, when they all converge at the end, it all makes sense.
The Breeze is a middle aged, drug selling, surfer type who lives out of his trailer and hits the bars regularly to pick up chicks. It is obvious that The Breeze stopped aging mentally when he was 21 but unfortunately his body did not do the same. The Breeze doesn’t even have his own ride because it is being held collateral in anticipation of his next big delivery. While hitchhiking home from an evening of being rejected by the young ladies, The Breeze finds trouble. Serious trouble. He meets the Demon, Catch.
Travis, who is pretty much a wanderer by necessity, travels the country looking for a woman he met decades ago. He looks the same, but she would have aged. (Being the keeper of a demon does have one perk.) Travis became the demon’s keeper by mistake and can’t find a way to send the demon back. His demon companion Catch, a terrible people eating demon. Somehow, Mr. Moore makes the terrible people eating (no he isn’t purple) demon, witty and you just can seem to be really afraid of him. You want Travis to be rid of the demon but he is terribly funny and entertaining and you kinda want to keep him around to see what trouble he gets himself into next.
Robert and Jenny are getting a divorce. Robert an aspiring but unemployed photographer is more likely to be found in the local bar, The Head of the Slug, drinking or hanging out with The Breeze, than out looking for gainful employment. His wife Jenny works as a waitress and in her desperation to make something of herself, she has joined a coven of earth witches.
Rachel (leader of the earth witch coven) has her own encounter with Catch as he tries to manipulate her into thinking he is an earth spirit. He convinces her if she simply renounces the creator, she will be able to control Catch and thusly she will have great powers beyond her imagination. (uh huh, sure.)
Effrom and Amanda have been married for many years. Effrom is a WWI vet who spends most of his time out in his workshop, carving. Amanda, his wife is away visiting thier daughter, leaving Effrom to fend for himself for a few days. Catch finds out that Amanda is important to Travis and abducts Effrom to use him as a bargaining chip. He is trying to free himself from Travis’ control, and he believes Amanda can help him accomplish his goal.
Augustus Brine, a resident and proprietor of Brine’s Bait, Tackle and Fine Wines, has been chosen by Gian Hen Gian (a small fantastical man) to help him send the demon Catch back to where he came from. Gian Hen Gian has been around as long as Catch has and they have a long and complicated history. Augustus Brine happens to have the mental fortitude and courage to devise a plan that just might work. Gian Hen Gian has chosen his hero well.
And then there is poor detective Rivera. Detective Rivera always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I hate to say too much about any of Mr. Moore’s books, because I feel like it takes away from the joy of reading them. His stories unfold in such a way that you never really know what will expect next. There are so many wonderful characters to follow and you get to experience the story from everyone’s point of view.
Practical Demon Keeping is witty and entertaining. I enjoyed Mr. Moore’s first novel quite well. Admittedly, I like some of Mr. Moore’s more recent books a little more as some of the characters are revisited and they themselves have grown and become more complex. I am never bored reading one of Mr. Moore’s novels and I recommend them to everyone I know. If you haven’t read one of his books yet, you are really missing out on something unique.”
“Hilarious.”
Mandy Lipchinsky wrote this review Wednesday, July 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
