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29th out of 156 books
—
432 voters
How to Succeed in Evil (How to Succeed in Evil)
by
Patrick E. McLean (Goodreads Author)
How to Succeed in Evil is not a self-help page for the maladjusted. It it is the story of Edwin Windsor, Evil Efficiency Consultant. He’s like Arthur Anderson for Supervillians.
Just because a person can melt walls by winking at them or build a device to threaten the very fabric of our reality doesn’t mean that they know how to manage investments or squeeze money out of a s...more
Just because a person can melt walls by winking at them or build a device to threaten the very fabric of our reality doesn’t mean that they know how to manage investments or squeeze money out of a s...more
Paperback, 292 pages
Published
2007
by good words (right order)
(first published 2006)
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Here's the short version:
Ever since Austin Powers first deprived a henchmens wife of her husband, we've wondered what life is like on the other side of the Thin Spandex Line. This story is filled with humorous insights into not only how villains think and act, but also about the darker nature of Heroes. The main character is not a bad guy; he is a smart guy. And smart guys tend to be a bit Villainous. If you can get past the various grammatical errors in this book, you'll love the turned-table o...more
Ever since Austin Powers first deprived a henchmens wife of her husband, we've wondered what life is like on the other side of the Thin Spandex Line. This story is filled with humorous insights into not only how villains think and act, but also about the darker nature of Heroes. The main character is not a bad guy; he is a smart guy. And smart guys tend to be a bit Villainous. If you can get past the various grammatical errors in this book, you'll love the turned-table o...more
My initial expectation was this would be somewhat silly if entertaining so it sat on my TBR list for a few months. I was pleasantly surprised when I finally picked up and started reading this. This has a little bit of everything - consultants, Bubbas, Super Villains, Dwarf Lawyers, destroyed buildings, disapproving British secretaries and more than a little unbridled greed ... what more can one ask for? This is a tongue in cheek look at super villains as well as superheroes and their motivation....more
Have you ever wished you could live in an alternate universe where Spiderman regularly sweeps through the skies, where the Fantastic Four team up to fight evil, and where Superman could appear anywhere to rescue people from falling buildings?
Edwin Windsor lives in such a world, where men like Excelsior (think Superman), Lifto the Magnificent, and more are not uncommon. He in fact runs a business specializing in honing a villain's skills into money making schemes. But life never goes perfectly, a...more
Edwin Windsor lives in such a world, where men like Excelsior (think Superman), Lifto the Magnificent, and more are not uncommon. He in fact runs a business specializing in honing a villain's skills into money making schemes. But life never goes perfectly, a...more
I felt this book was ok for something i randomly found looking for books. It was good at some parts but got increasingly slow at other parts.I did enjoy the fact the author put in a superhero struggling with his own emotions and trying to decide what perk being a hero actually has. In this book I also liked the main character and his view on villains being a profitable business this is one of the only things I liked in the book. Another was the intriguing difference in the character and his lawy...more
This book was hilarious and well worth the read. However, it delved into parody over originality too often which is a shame because the original ideas were much more clever than the satires of senators and marketing wars.
I noticed that since publishing How to Succeed in Evil, McLean has written more in the series; including a short (~70 pages) prequel. That seems the perfect future for Edwin. This book was too episodic; it felt like 2 or 3 stories he attempted to wrap into one. By the end, the f...more
I noticed that since publishing How to Succeed in Evil, McLean has written more in the series; including a short (~70 pages) prequel. That seems the perfect future for Edwin. This book was too episodic; it felt like 2 or 3 stories he attempted to wrap into one. By the end, the f...more
I listened the the audiobook, which was really produced well. The author is great at voices, and great at making some of the voices horrendously annoying. Namely, Topper.
Here comes the rant:
I think I would have really enjoyed this book if it weren't for Topper. That shrill, womanizing midget detracted significant style points from the novel. While he was a pretty good foil for Edwin, it just seems cruel to drag a horrendous short guy through the book to annoy the reader. He was a humor fail, an...more
Here comes the rant:
I think I would have really enjoyed this book if it weren't for Topper. That shrill, womanizing midget detracted significant style points from the novel. While he was a pretty good foil for Edwin, it just seems cruel to drag a horrendous short guy through the book to annoy the reader. He was a humor fail, an...more
Really, this book only deserves two and a half stars, but I'm rounding up out of generosity. I just finished it, and honestly, I'm not even sure what the hell I just read.
There were parts of it where I was thoroughly enjoying myself - I enjoyed the math and statistics jokes, the golfing, and even the playing off of your standard Heroes and Villains tropes. I liked Edwin. I liked Topper. I hated Excelsior, which I think was the point the author was trying to get across, that Heroes aren't always...more
There were parts of it where I was thoroughly enjoying myself - I enjoyed the math and statistics jokes, the golfing, and even the playing off of your standard Heroes and Villains tropes. I liked Edwin. I liked Topper. I hated Excelsior, which I think was the point the author was trying to get across, that Heroes aren't always...more
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Nearly brilliant...demi-brilliant. If you dig the anti-hero and have a sense of humor (one that senses wry wit and irony [the real kind, not the Alannis Morisette kind]), this belongs on your to-read list. Not only that, you should read it. I'll be reading the sequel(s) when they finally come out. If I remember. Seriously, I got this for like 99cents at the Kindle store. Just buy it.
Short review: I remember this book from a series of podcasts about 6 or 7 years ago. It never finished so I picked up the book to see what happened. Unfortunately, this feels like a series of podcasts or short stories that are strung together into a novel without being fully integrated. The story concept is great. The result is mediocre.
My full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/mclean/
My full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/mclean/
Overall I liked this book. I loved the characters of Edwin and Topper and the combination of rational logic and chaotic insanity. The book started slow and it didn't really get rolling until the last 1/3 of the book. The finale was excellent and gave an ending that satisfied but also set up a sequel. I guess the best thing I can say about the book is that I plan on buying the sequel.
At what point does a consultant to super villains become one himself? Is cold-blooded efficiency a superpower? I don't really know. But they weren't questions I'd have even thought to ask before reading How to Succeed in Evil. Not my favorite in the Novel About Fringe Superhero genre, but not bad, either.
This one was fun. Who would have thought the super villians need consultants too. The plot moves along quite nicely and you are introduce to a number of characters along the way which means there is never a dull moment. Well, maybe a couple, but they're small and easy to get through. In conclusion, get this book. You won't regret it.
Started off with a real sense of purpose but somehow never quite realized it. I think the reader is supposed to like the villain and dislike the "hero", but for me it just didn't happen. Despite a nice tempo and gripping story-line the climax left me wanting more, or maybe something different. I found this book to be a disappointment overall.
The story premise captured my attention and held it throughout the podcasted novel. One of my favorite characters was Topper, the midget lawyer. His voice was distinct, as were each of the other characters. The epilogue ties the novel together, so I recommend listening (or reading) it after the main portion of the novel. You will never view superheroes or villains the same...ever.
Really enjoyed, but it wasn't the book I thought it would be. I expected a sort of Marvel comic strip, a little dark with a wink, wink and mostly humorous. Instead, it was a little humor, with a lot of dark. Though it is hard to read a book where none of the characters are remotely likable, or even understand the motivations of their actions, and not laugh at them.
Well written, but just couldn't finish it. Felt nothing for the character even by chapter 6, which is usually how far I'll go in a book before making a decision to continue. Characters seem flat and stereotypical, which is good for a short story, but not for a full novel.
I really enjoyed this book. If I ever decide to become a villain I know who to go see.
The characters were great in this book. Topper was absolutely hillarious. The story kept a good pace, there were places where it got a little slow, but all in all it was a good read.
Will pick up the others after this because of how much I enjoyed it.
The characters were great in this book. Topper was absolutely hillarious. The story kept a good pace, there were places where it got a little slow, but all in all it was a good read.
Will pick up the others after this because of how much I enjoyed it.
Very fun to read. I enjoyed the characters, setting and premise. I think it was well done. There were way too many misspellings. Read the other reviews for more in depth information. I just want you to know it is a great story overall and I recommend it.
A hilarious book by an evil genius! How to Succeed in Evil is what happens when you combine marketing with superheroes and villains. Excellent plot, with lots of unexpected twists. How can it not, given the theme?
The only reason I gave it three stars is because I liked some of the characters and there were a couple spots that had me laughing out loud. Otherwise it's just an ok book. No real plot to it.
The book started a bit slow, and unfortunately felt like the author was stuffing as many quirky things as they could into it. But as it moved forward it shook out the nonsense and did an excellent job of telling a story.
This was the story about an extraordinarily intelligent and disciplined man, one who unfortunately decided to pursue a career in advising super-villains (and I use the term super very loosely) in their crime. The journey, and inevitable conclusion, is amusing and well worth the...more
This was the story about an extraordinarily intelligent and disciplined man, one who unfortunately decided to pursue a career in advising super-villains (and I use the term super very loosely) in their crime. The journey, and inevitable conclusion, is amusing and well worth the...more
Over all a good book. It was funny and well written. The passing was good and it’s ending was very natural and open enough for a follow up but it won’t be a problem if there isn’t on either.
Excellent book.
One complaint: The boundary between the humor and the serious parts are not very clear, especially at the end. I wish there was a way the author could have changed the tone.
One complaint: The boundary between the humor and the serious parts are not very clear, especially at the end. I wish there was a way the author could have changed the tone.
Mr. McLean is one of those rare authors who has a true gift for turning writing into an art form. His ability to weave and manipulate words had me hooked almost immediately.
My only real complaint has to do with the Kindle version. The typos were everywhere, and while they were easy enough to figure out (with a couple of very annoying exceptions), it was a rather significant annoyance.
I enjoyed this so much, I picked up Unkillable and would definitely buy future titles from McLean.
My only real complaint has to do with the Kindle version. The typos were everywhere, and while they were easy enough to figure out (with a couple of very annoying exceptions), it was a rather significant annoyance.
I enjoyed this so much, I picked up Unkillable and would definitely buy future titles from McLean.
I really enjoyed this book. Patrick narrates the book himself and does an excellent job - this has been one of the best produced audio books I have ever listened too. I would highly recommend his short work at http://www.theseanachai.com/ as well. It hasn't been updated for a while, but the archive is incredible.
The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it seemed to enter into extended monologues (generally economic in nature) that, while they did have a point, seemed a bit heavy hand...more
The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it seemed to enter into extended monologues (generally economic in nature) that, while they did have a point, seemed a bit heavy hand...more
Edwin's wit was delightful in the beginning and tiresome by the end. Enjoyable, but a little lengthy. There were one or two subplots that didn't tie into the overall narrative very well.
Jul 03, 2012
Kris Turner
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Aspiring arch villains and the minions who love them.
An episodic novel in the tone of the Jay Omega novels of Sharyn McCrumb. Clever, offbeat characters, amusingly awkward encounters, and an ORIGINAL story. I could see it translating well to animation ala Bruce Timm.
My only real gripe is that the Kindle version is in dire need of copy-editing; something I expect will be remedied when it goes to print.
My only real gripe is that the Kindle version is in dire need of copy-editing; something I expect will be remedied when it goes to print.
A nifty little book about a guy that's a consultant to super villains. The Kindle version has lots of typos, and I seemed to notice every single one of them. Still though, the story was interesting. I think it was well worth the $3 I paid.
From the Prime lending library. One of the better superhero/villain novels out there. The consultant idea is definitely a good twist on the genre.
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Patrick's work ranges from the autobiographical, to the absurd and fantastic. Describing himself as a "writer raised by Economists" his perspective on the world is naturally unusual. From violent revenge and musings on the value of life from a character who is dead (Unkillable) to the rage and frustration of a consultant who grows so sick of having his advice ignored that he decides to take over t...more
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“He is called Excelsior. In Latin the name means "ever higher". This impossible man does not know this. To be fair, there are a lot of words he doesn't know.”
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1 person liked it
“Edwin is prepared to believe that a glass exists. And further, that this glass holds liquid.”
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1 person liked it
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Mar 12, 2012 12:10pm