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453rd out of 761 books
—
727 voters
Up Jumps the Devil
A stunningly imaginative, sharp, funny, and slyly tender novel featuring the Devil himself, John Scratch.
He's made of wood. He cooks an excellent gumbo. Cows love him. And he's the world's first love story . . . and the world's first broken heart. Meet the darkly handsome, charming John Scratch, aka the Devil. Ever since his true love, a fellow fallen angel named Arden, de...more
He's made of wood. He cooks an excellent gumbo. Cows love him. And he's the world's first love story . . . and the world's first broken heart. Meet the darkly handsome, charming John Scratch, aka the Devil. Ever since his true love, a fellow fallen angel named Arden, de...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
July 3rd 2012
by Ecco/HarperCollins
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Jul 28, 2012
Jack
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Jack by:
Mike Poore
If Richard Brautigan and Hunter Thompson were to have had a love-child (and I shudder at the thought) then Michael Poore would have been the result. Mike writes with a toss-away ease, tongue firmly embedded in cheek and wit honed to rapier sharpness.
I have to confess several things in writing this review. The first is that Mike is a part of the increasingly famous Highland Writers Group in NW Indiana. He has written stories with another member of the group, Ted Kosmatka, who has a new science-fi...more
I have to confess several things in writing this review. The first is that Mike is a part of the increasingly famous Highland Writers Group in NW Indiana. He has written stories with another member of the group, Ted Kosmatka, who has a new science-fi...more
Michael Poore is a skillful writer, and his new novel, "Up Jumps the Devil," is a good book. There's not much of a plot to this droll narrative that's mainly about John Scratch (a/k/a the Devil) and a musical trio with whom he forges a Faustian bargain just before the 1969 Woodstock music festival. At times, the book reads more like a diary or journal, skipping back and forth in time as Scratch confronts the nature of love gained and lost and perhaps gained again between himself and the inconsta...more
The Devil went down to Georgia…and Rome and Egypt and California. The Devil’s been all over the world and he’s still ambivalent about the two-legged creatures called Man that are roaming it. Taking the side of a Devil who doesn’t hate people or wishes to defy God (much), Mr. Poore has crafted one of the most sympathetic, warm and interesting takes on Old Scratch that I’ve ever read. His Devil is funny, mischievous, childish, menacing and playful—and not always as smart as he should be.
Mr. Poore...more
Mr. Poore...more
This book was recommended by Christopher Moore at a book signing, and I was glad when it finally came out (Christopher Moore had an advance copy). I can certainly see why he recommended it -- lots of the book is very much what Christopher Moore might have conceived of if he had ever written a book about the devil. There are also parts of it that reminded me of a Carl Hiaasen book, especially the parts about the "ick" factor of fame.
Throughout the book, though, there is also a strong emotional cu...more
Throughout the book, though, there is also a strong emotional cu...more
This was a surprisingly good book. It started off a little shaky for me (cows, really?) but I was soon engrossed in the great writing and interesting, if macabre twist on everything. I love the different moments in history that the Devil had his hand in and how at the end of it all, he's not really evil. Just a little selfish, maybe.
I was given this book because it's "comparable to Christopher Moore" and while I can see why they made that comparison, it's really not true at all. Moore's books ha...more
I was given this book because it's "comparable to Christopher Moore" and while I can see why they made that comparison, it's really not true at all. Moore's books ha...more
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This debut novel follows the format of Devil as protagonist seen in Glen Duncan’s I, Lucifer: Finally, the Other Side of the Story and Steven Brust’s To Reign in Hell: A Novel. Here, the backdrop of the Devil’s playground is America - running from the first settlers to land all the way to a more reality TV-ridden near future. Though some of the side trips fall more into the realm of world history, Poore returns his Devil time and again back to the U.S. of A. It is these asides, dreams and jaunts...more
This is another great debut novel. I read three in a row that were 4 star novels- and I had a rough week, so I’m glad that the books did not let me down. I encourage you to not only follow Michael on Twitter, but if you get a chance and he’s at a nearby book store, go buy the book and go to his events. He is quirky, extremely down-to-earth, and gracious to all. Again- BUY THE BOOK.
The book is about John Scratch, aka The Devil. The book goes back and forth in time, through the ages. You get an in...more
The book is about John Scratch, aka The Devil. The book goes back and forth in time, through the ages. You get an in...more
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I loved this book. It's everything the cover blurb claims it to be, and more.
It very much reminded me of a Tom Robbins novel, and if you like him, you'll like this. I love a good, long story with great totally believably human characters. Even the Devil turns out to be likable and sympathetically human.
I loved the books philosophy, although it would probably make narrow minded people either uncomfortable, or to miss its point entirely.
I am a mostly depressed person with despair about the state...more
It very much reminded me of a Tom Robbins novel, and if you like him, you'll like this. I love a good, long story with great totally believably human characters. Even the Devil turns out to be likable and sympathetically human.
I loved the books philosophy, although it would probably make narrow minded people either uncomfortable, or to miss its point entirely.
I am a mostly depressed person with despair about the state...more
This was a fun book....I liked it well enough---after all, I did finish it. The author "Forrest Gumped" the Devil, placing him as an actor in various historical events. Many of the concepts were quite funny or interesting, i.e., America as the Devil's pet country, extraordinary people probably have some "fallen angel" in their bloodlineS (THAT explains a lot!). However, in general the main story line that followed the band at Woodstock didn't interest me that much....I really didn't care about a...more
(Disclaimer! my wife acquired and edited this book.)
I've always thought that one of the highest kinds of praise you can give a novel is to call it original. Up Jumps the Devil is completely that, not to mention madcap, imaginative, and hilarious. And its heart is so obvious on every page that by the end you want nothing more than to clap Mike Poore on the back and sit down with him over beers.
The narrative’s non-linear: The Devil (a.k.a. John Scratch) has adopted America as his "pet nation" bill...more
I've always thought that one of the highest kinds of praise you can give a novel is to call it original. Up Jumps the Devil is completely that, not to mention madcap, imaginative, and hilarious. And its heart is so obvious on every page that by the end you want nothing more than to clap Mike Poore on the back and sit down with him over beers.
The narrative’s non-linear: The Devil (a.k.a. John Scratch) has adopted America as his "pet nation" bill...more
2 likes · like · see review
Aug 14, 2012
Park Road Books
added it
I’m right in the middle of this one, but so far so good! As it turns out, the Devil (AKA John Scratch) isn’t so bad. Cut the guy some slack…after all, he is the world’s first love story and also its first broken heart. He also has a soft spot for the United States, which he sees as his pet nation. He inspired George Washington at the Battle of Trenton. He wagered (and lost) his soul to Ben Franklin. Most of all he wants America to do well, but is discovering that may not be so easy. At the halfw...more
this book was so good i almost put it down so i wouldn't finish it. very witty stuff. this author can say in one line what most authors can't say in paragraphs. the Devil has run-ins with george washington, ben franklin (who outsmarts him), Nat Turner, rock stars who sell their souls for fame, money and the chance to change the world. how can you not love a book with chapter headings like "people don't have to take your shit if you don't have any money" and "favorite foods and good and evil"? de...more
Up Jumps The Devil is a good book. It is entertaining and easy to read. Unfortunately that's all it is. The devil aka John Scratch is a very likeable character, not very evil, more mischievous. My main issue is the characters were not very developed. The only character that is sympathetic is John Scratch. The devil's stated goal did not always match his actions, at least in my mind. I kept waiting for his different story lines to add up to something or somehow come together at the end to reveal...more
The Devil hooks up with a group of rock musicians just before they go their separate ways and helps them achieve their goals (in exchange for their souls, of course). In between following each of those characters, he recalls his experiences at various points in history: with George Washington at Trenton, at Gettysburg, with Pocahontas, etc. It's mostly kind of fun, though with a little too much drugs, pointless sex, and greed for my tastes. More serious is that the author doesn't seem to know ho...more
*Check out http://www.infinitereads.com for other reviews and sundry thoughts!*
Readers of magazines like Glimmer Train and Asimov's may recognize Michael Poore's name from his short fiction, but if you're among the uninitiated, you'll have the joy of discovering a wise and witty voice in his wickedly funny debut novel, Up Jumps the Devil.
"Everybody knows the devil is American." John Scratch, the Devil himself, has spent centuries brokering deals with souls as collateral to shape America into th...more
Readers of magazines like Glimmer Train and Asimov's may recognize Michael Poore's name from his short fiction, but if you're among the uninitiated, you'll have the joy of discovering a wise and witty voice in his wickedly funny debut novel, Up Jumps the Devil.
"Everybody knows the devil is American." John Scratch, the Devil himself, has spent centuries brokering deals with souls as collateral to shape America into th...more
So what if the Devil was only trying to convince a girl to leave heaven for earth? And the way he tried to impress her was by giving humanity a little push every now and again? John Kennedy, Fidel Castro, Pocahantas, Elvis and Jesus make appearances in a novel that spans over 4 billion years. I would happily give this one 4.5 stars if I could; it's the best thing I've read in the last 6 months, and the only book on this long list of backlogged reviews about which I'm truly enthusiastic.
So very good. The person who recommended this did so for my love of Gilligan's Wake, and how right she was. It is excellent and funny and wry and a little sacrilegious if you're into that sort of thing. The Devil packs his pipe not with tobacco but field mice. He is made of wood. He has a thing to say about Robert Johnson, Woodstock, and reality television. He can be swayed by love. God stole his girlfriend. So good.
I had a hard time getting through this book because I didn't care that much about the characters and I wasn't that interested in finding out what they were going to do with their lives. I was very amused by the devil though. There were a lot of silly moments when I found myself saying "Oh yeah, the devil would totally do that." The main thing I was disappointed about with this book was that the big surprise at the end was so obvious from the beginning. Still, it was a fun read. Michael Poore's w...more
This book reminded me of Heinlein's 'On a Pale Horse'--devil as sympathetic character--I was kind of intrigued by the idea of the devil as the necesary rebel--the counterpoint--to creation--kind of like testosterone--a motivator for all action--I am never really a fan of stories that portray God as distant and kind of stupid--still, I found this book to be interesting and to have some challenging thoughts--
A sweeping satirical look at man's understanding of the devil and at man's own devilish foibles through history from the beginning and in the present. I haven't read a good satirical novel in quite a while, but this one is definitely worth reading if you're willing to give the devil a little license to be what we've made him and to give mankind even more. Mankind's definitely a peculiar species.
If the devil showed up on your doorstep and offered you a million dollars if you left your spouse forever, would you?
There is no hell. Imagine the devil as a sympathetic character, lovestruck, heartbroken, hoping to lure his love back to Earth by pushing society to new heights of greatness in a new Eden, America.
I really, REALLY enjoyed this book!
There is no hell. Imagine the devil as a sympathetic character, lovestruck, heartbroken, hoping to lure his love back to Earth by pushing society to new heights of greatness in a new Eden, America.
I really, REALLY enjoyed this book!
as soon as i finished this book i laughed and cried, i might have even clapped my hands. This john scratch is not the devil you know, poore does an excellent job playing with such a well known character. even when he fries people alive you can't help but root for mr. scratch as he churns his way through history, everything he does he does with one goal in mind, ok well maybe two or three but they aren't the reasons you would expect... though perhaps his one goal is the only one worth doing anyth...more
I enjoyed this book. It mixes the 60's, 70's and 80's with the devil, a flower child who wants to be famous, a mathematical genius who wants to change the world, and a former bass player who just wants to have money. Throw in a lot of flashbacks, some observations on human nature, and some gratuitous sex and violence and you have an engaging story that will keep you laughing and cringing in equal measure.
"...People fell into religion because they were drawn by the company and approval of others. It was the oldest drug on the market. People who said they had found Jesus had really found Jesus people."
"...he's actually not a bad preacher. You start to believe if you spend enough time around those people. They're like soccer fans."
"...he's actually not a bad preacher. You start to believe if you spend enough time around those people. They're like soccer fans."
You know how you hear people say, "I loved XYZ book, I couldn't put it down!" I do the same thing myself. If I like a book, I'll blaze through it pretty doggone fast.
But if I love a book, it takes me ages to finish. I put it down, I walk away for a few weeks, I resist the siren calls. Super counter intuitive, right?
Here's the thing, when I love a book, I don't want it to end, I don't want to say goodbye to the characters. I miss them, life get drab. Coming from me, there is no higher praise I...more
But if I love a book, it takes me ages to finish. I put it down, I walk away for a few weeks, I resist the siren calls. Super counter intuitive, right?
Here's the thing, when I love a book, I don't want it to end, I don't want to say goodbye to the characters. I miss them, life get drab. Coming from me, there is no higher praise I...more
This wasn't bad. Sadly, it wasn't great, either--the "surprise" ending was telegraphed more than halfway through the book, and although I did chuckle occasionally it wasn't laugh-out-loud funny. And in a lot of places it was just droll for droll's sake.
It is clear Mr. Poore had great fun holding this horned mirror up to humanity, and the fun is infectious. If the ending feels a bit lower-case, it's only because we've had such an outsized romp through American history, watching the devil interact with Ben Franklin, JFK, Nat Turner, Pocahontas and cows. Yes, cows. I highly recommend this book.
Very reminicent of Christopher Moore with out being quite so gross. It was a unique take on the life and times of the Devil, rather human in my opinion. I would definately read more by this new author. I hope he keeps his snarky edge.
The Devil just wants to improve humanity so that the love of his life, a fellow angel, will consent to put up with Earth be with him. Wickedly funny language, will appeal to fans of Douglas Adams' "Hitchiker's guide to the galaxy"
who knew satan can be so cool? here is my complete review of this book: http://prinsesamusang.wordpress.com/2.... i enjoyed it a lot!
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