From master of subversive humor Christopher Moore comes a quirky, irreverent novel of love, myth, metaphysics, outlaw biking, angst, and outrageous redemption.
As a boy, he was Samson Hunts Alone -- until a deadly misunderstanding with the law forced him to flee the Crow reservation at age fifteen. Today he is Samuel Hunter, a successful Santa Barbara insurance salesman with a Mercedes, a condo, and a hollow, invented life. Then one day, destiny offers him the dangerous gift of love -- in the exquisite form of Calliope Kincaid -- and a curse in the unheralded appearance of an ancient god by the name of Coyote. Coyote, the trickster, has arrived to reawaken the mystical storyteller within Sam...and to seriously screw up his existence in the process.
Moore is a writer with an easy. fun style that just pulls you in for an enjoyable ride. This is the fourth book of his that I've read and hardily recommend him to any one looking for a fast, fun, easy read. In this one Sam Hunter's past catches up with him when his spirit helper, Coyote, appears to help him and turns his life upside down. There are characters who have appeared in his other books in this story but it's not necessary to have read the others to enjoy this book. Try him I think you'll like him!
Crow Indian, Samson Hunts Alone kills a law officer when he's 15 and to avoid the trouble, he takes of and re-invents himself as Samuel Hunter. He passes himself of as an immigrant worker and through a twist of fate becomes a successful California insurance salesman. Then things begin to go arwy when an Indian begins showing up and causing all sorts of problems for Sam. This is none other than ancient Indian god Coyote who is on his own mission which involves Sam. The standard crazy characters of Moore arise and it begins with Calliope, super hippy and her child Grubb. Troubles at home and work with Aaron Aaron and Spagnola push Sam to confusion. Hectic pacing involves trouble in Vegas with Minty Fresh, a large black security guard at Camelot casino. It's a wild ride in Christopher Moore's comedic style which pokes fun at paranormal issues and California living. Most of his novels are good and this one stands with the others in a fun entertaining read. The Coyote god-stories are hilarious and Samson must find where he truly belongs. Worth reading a few times.
A salesman without a soul. I have to admit, for me, this book took a little time to get into. Flipping the pages, I could see there was a lot less dialogue than narrative text, which usually means b-o-r-i-n-g. And I have to admit, the book drew me in slowly. But once he had me, I was willing to take the trip to North Dakota. Suspension of Disbelief goes without saying -- it's Chris Moore -- and so there is the usual collection of shapeshifting and chicanery, none of which seemed as compelling to me as in other Christopher Moore novels. However, I'm giving this book 4 stars because I think he's a genius and should be encouraged.
I found myself a bit muddled up in the plot at some points and the Native American names didn't help for some reason. I think sometimes too much research shows up on the page. Moore researches his novels. In "Island of the Sequined Love Nun" the research didn't show up as much but added so much; in this book, in my opinion, it showed up a lot and added little.
Still, Moore rests triumphantly head and shoulders above the competition.
