"Bloodsucking Fiends" by Christopher Moore

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Read: 2/6/09

4/5 stars

This is my first Christopher Moore, and I think I'm in love. Let me explain why...

Moore isn't a serious literary writer. So I don't love him for his elegant prose. Nor does he deal with weighty issues. So, not for his depth of insight either. Rather, this is a case of loving the guy who makes you laugh, and not Hamlet.

I first heard of Moore when some people were raving over him at down at 50 Book Challenge. The main comment was how funny he is. Now, tell me that a male writer is funny, and I will most likely check the male writer out, which is what I did with Moore. And this, Bloodsucking Fiends, was the only book I could get my hands on for now.

I do have a liking for vampire literature, but I don't really pick just any old vampire novel up. (e.g., I have avoided all of Christine Feehan's books) Besides, I didn't pick this book up because it was vampire-themed. Primarily, I just wanted a Christopher Moore book.

There's nothing really new about the story. Girl gets turned into a vampire for some reason unknown to her. She has to deal with her new "situation," while her maker continuously tries to make her life hell (apart from the turning-her-into-a-vampire bit). So, she elicits the help of a human who becomes her lover, while they try to solve the mystery of why she was turned into a vampire and why her maker keeps framing her for his murders.

So, though you have the usual vampire-story elements here (dealing with being undead, good vampire versus evil vampire, lusty vampire sex, etc.), what I enjoyed apart from the humorous approach was the characterization. Jody, the new vampire, does not change her usual dependency on males just because she's undead and powerful. One of the first things she does after her change is to look for a man to live with. 'Course this time, he doesn't just get to have sex with her--he's to be her human servant, too. In this manner, then, her dependency is turned on its head, though she never does give the impression that she wants to be an independent woman/vampire.

The other characters are fascinating in their own right, from the Emperor of San Diego (whose looks might be deceiving cause he looks exactly like a bum), to the Animals (the group of men who work as a grocery store night-crew), to Elijah (the bad vampire, himself). Perhaps the most insipid character I found, though, was C. Thomas Flood, one of the protagonists. He just struck me as overplayed innocence and hick-ness. But he's not a total loss, as a lot of the comedy comes from him, too. Or rather, he plays the straight man in the joke.

So, because of the humor, the ludicrous plot, and the bizarre characters that were packaged into this book, I am definitely looking out for more of Moore.

Comments

Marie said…
Ooo, I'm a Christopher Moore fan too! I highly suggest you read his 'Island of the Sequined Love Nun' too. :)
February 10, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Electric Bearbearina said…
Bloodsucking Fiends was also my first Christopher Moore book and though I quite enjoyed it, somehow I never felt the urge to pick up the sequel. Was it the same for you?
Oh, my friend says that Lamb is the best Chris Moore book. I think I'll pick that one up next time :)
P.S. I discovered your blog from browsing Shelfari, in case you're wondering ;)
February 10, 2009 at 10:48 PM
fantaghiro23 said…
hey, blackbody! Yup, I'm on the lookout for more Moore.:P

Bearbearina, I find I can wait till I read the sequel. I'm still enjoying the idea that Tom Flood isn't a vampire yet. I am looking forward to getting A Dirty Job, though. And Lamb, if I see a copy of it.

Glad you found my blog.:)
February 11, 2009 at 10:19 PM
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