A Dirty Job

Oddly enough, this is the book that Lamb (by the same author) should have been - a raucous comedy that takes its subject seriously (albeit in a subversive fashion). I think this book succeeds where Lamb ultimately failed because the story is Moore's own and isn't tied to history. The looming crucifixion effectively drained all of the comedy out of Lamb, whereas the ultimate showdown in A Dirty Job managed to be a serious matter and absurdly funny at the same time. This is easily Moore's best book, and I look forward to what he has in store next.

I freaking love this book. Charlie Asher, a man bumbling through life, somehow bumbles into the job of Death. But don't let all the laughing fool you - underneath it all, this is a very touching story.

I would give this book 3.5 stars. I generally read pretty fast, but this took some time and effort to get through. Love the characters, Sophie and Lily being my favourite and of course Sophie's 'puppies'.

In "A Dirty Job," Christopher Moore takes on the topic of death with his signature humor and wit. The novel follows Charlie Asher, who becomes a Death Merchant and starts to collects soul vessels from the dying in San Francisco. The story opens with the death of Charlie's wife, leaving him to care for their newborn daughter Sophie. As Charlie navigates his new role as a Death Merchant, he discovers a hidden world of hellhounds, demons, and squirrel cadavers.

Moore's writing style is irreverent and hilarious, but there is also a deeper meaning to the laughs. The novel grapples with real-life issues such as death, purpose, and the human condition. The characters are well-developed and memorable, and the story is both moving and funny.

Critics have praised "A Dirty Job" for its humor and its exploration of deeper themes. The New York Times notes that "even when seriously off-kilter, Moore is always worth reading," while Kirkus Reviews calls the novel "good-natured" and "contemporary fantasy." Patrick T Reardon writes that the book is "hilarious" and compares it to Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

Overall, "A Dirty Job" is a unique and entertaining read that combines humor and heart. Moore's writing is witty and irreverent, but also thoughtful and poignant. The novel is a testament to the power of humor to explore difficult topics and to find meaning in the face of death.

It was ok. I liked the concept but not a huge fan of the humor. It's been a while since I've read Lamb and I do remember some of the jokes and sexual references but I thought they were more subtle. In this book they just seemed poorly placed and not very funny.

Another commenter mentioned he felt the author tried forcing in one-liners towards the end which is what I'm thinking I was noticing.