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101st out of 1,663 books
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2,419 voters
Practical Demonkeeping (Pine Cove #1)
by
Christopher Moore (Goodreads Author)
In Christopher Moore's ingenious debut novel, we meet one of the most memorably mismatched pairs in the annals of literature. The good-looking one is one-hundred-year-old ex-seminarian and "roads" scholar Travis O'Hearn. The green one is Catch, a demon with a nasty habit of eating most of the people he meets. Behind the fake Tudor facade of Pine Cove, California, Catch see...more
Paperback, 243 pages
Published
May 25th 2004
by Perennial
(first published 1992)
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holy crap,
this book. was. bad.
so effing bad there must be a logical explanation for it. the logical explanation is: christopher moore, you used to be a very stinky writer. i'm not sure what happened between "practical demonkeeping" and "a dirty job", but i'm guessing it was nothing short of an earth quaking, baby shaking, holy sweet mother of pearl miracle.
all the raw elements are there. the slightly deranged yet interesting menagerie of characters, the twisting, intercoursed plot lines, a cou...more
this book. was. bad.
so effing bad there must be a logical explanation for it. the logical explanation is: christopher moore, you used to be a very stinky writer. i'm not sure what happened between "practical demonkeeping" and "a dirty job", but i'm guessing it was nothing short of an earth quaking, baby shaking, holy sweet mother of pearl miracle.
all the raw elements are there. the slightly deranged yet interesting menagerie of characters, the twisting, intercoursed plot lines, a cou...more
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I'm rereading this on audio because I desperately needed a laugh but even this book isn't doing it. Might it be because I've already heard all of the punchlines and I need more snark? I don't know. It's mildly entertaining but has some dull moments and too many long moments of explanation and I find myself drifting away all too often.
My impressions when I initially read it:
This is a quirky book about a young priest-in-training who unwittingly commands a demon into existence that gives him immort...more
My impressions when I initially read it:
This is a quirky book about a young priest-in-training who unwittingly commands a demon into existence that gives him immort...more
7 likes
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This is the first Moore book that I have read, and I have to say, I am a fan. I've read a lot of Tom Robbins (Jitterbug Perfume, Still Life With Woodpecker) and his style is very similar, but more straightforward I think. And just as funny. I haven't laughed so hard at a book in a long time.
The premise is fairly simple... A young man, Travis, conjurs a demon on accident while cleaning the accolyte candles at a Catholic church. He is stuck with the demon, who does not have to tell him how he can...more
The premise is fairly simple... A young man, Travis, conjurs a demon on accident while cleaning the accolyte candles at a Catholic church. He is stuck with the demon, who does not have to tell him how he can...more
5 likes
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Another funny, well-written book by Christopher Moore. In his debut novel, he introduces characters and places that keep popping up throughout his following novels, but never in conspicuous ways. I just love seeing how his different characters' lives touch and interconnect.
This is the first time that I've actually read a whole book in one day. It was just so flippin' funny I couldn't put it down!
3 likes
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This is the third book by Moore that I have read (after Lamb and the Stupidest Angel), but chronologically it is Moore’s first published work. The story takes place in Moore’s oft-used fictional town of Pine Cove, CA. A stranger rolls into town bringing with him an invisible demon named Catch. Over the course of the story we find out that the stranger (a man named Travis) is trying to rid himself of Catch, while at the same time Catch is trying to rid himself of his master Travis. This plotline...more
1 like
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This novel was a surprisingly quick read, it is short and although not action packed, it manages to keep your attention from beginning to end. The writing style is very casual and humorous, slightly vulgar but not so much as to gain an "R" rating or to turn off the casual reader. There are drugs, but they are not glorified, there is sex, but it is not explicit and there is profanity, but it is not overwhelming.
The story itself is simple enough, one man (Travis) is cursed with being the "Master"...more
The story itself is simple enough, one man (Travis) is cursed with being the "Master"...more
I marked this read because I read most of it. I just got to a point where I put it down and never got the oomph to pick it back up. It just wasn't holding my interest.
Granted, this is Moore's first book, but really, I think it's a good example of how I feel about his work in general sometimes. That is to say, a great idea with some genuinely funny bits thrown in, but overall, not so great in execution. There are lots of things I'm clearly supposed to think are hilariously dark and witty, but of...more
Granted, this is Moore's first book, but really, I think it's a good example of how I feel about his work in general sometimes. That is to say, a great idea with some genuinely funny bits thrown in, but overall, not so great in execution. There are lots of things I'm clearly supposed to think are hilariously dark and witty, but of...more
As it turned out, this is Christopher Moore's debut novel, setting the stage for his other novels. It's a magnificent novel, by turns hilarious, terrifying, heartwarming, and outrageous. Like his The Stupidest Angel Version 2.0, I had real trouble putting it down to eat, sleep, and get on with things.
It's very clear from this novel and his others that Mr. Moore has a genuine fondness for his characters. He presents them just as they are, with all their flaws and virtues evident to the reader, in...more
It's very clear from this novel and his others that Mr. Moore has a genuine fondness for his characters. He presents them just as they are, with all their flaws and virtues evident to the reader, in...more
A book that made me laugh out loud.
How would you like to have a homicidal demon named "Catch" in tow - an unwanted burden that likes to swallow people whole and one you would love to shift but if you do so you will age something like 90 years in one fell swoop? This is Travis's dilemma as he searches for a solution in the fake Tudor Californian town of Pine Cove. To his aid springs a bad-tempered genie, named Gian Hen Gian, and an elderly gentleman, Effrom Elliot, who dreams about women, thinks...more
How would you like to have a homicidal demon named "Catch" in tow - an unwanted burden that likes to swallow people whole and one you would love to shift but if you do so you will age something like 90 years in one fell swoop? This is Travis's dilemma as he searches for a solution in the fake Tudor Californian town of Pine Cove. To his aid springs a bad-tempered genie, named Gian Hen Gian, and an elderly gentleman, Effrom Elliot, who dreams about women, thinks...more
Christopher Moore is far and away my favorite author. I own every novel he's written, read most of them multiple times, and no longer require any information other than the fact a new one is coming out to pre-order. Admittedly, I read his often hilarious works out of order, and it's a good thing. Had I started with his first published novel, Practical Demonkeeping, I'd either be incredibly impressed by his evolution over the last 20 years or I would have been shocked his career lasted this long....more
Some time ago, I had read and enjoyed Moore’s "Lamb," so I decided to try one of his other books. And where better to start than at the beginning? Okay, that’s not always true; I don’t recommend anyone start the Discworld series with "The Colour of Magic," for instance. In this case, though, I found Practical Demonkeeping enjoyable. It tells the story of a young man who summons a man-eating demon named Catch, and then is unable to get rid of it. He comes to a town in California called Pine Cove,...more
"Practical Demonkeeping" is, I believe, Christopher Moore’s first novel, published in 1992. I wanted to read it because I heartily enjoyed the first ¾ of "Fluke" and all of "Lamb," published later. This debut predicts his success as a funny writer of ordinary folks suddenly confronted with the supernatural. One reads it for the one-liners rather than for the plot or characters, as if going to a stand-up comedian’s show.
In a small coastal town popular with tourists (Pine Cove, California) an ens...more
In a small coastal town popular with tourists (Pine Cove, California) an ens...more
Christopher Moore is a master of humor. I picked up this book because I anticipated that it would follow in the same vein as the last I read by him (Lamb) - a hilarious recounting of serious events that manages to wrench your heart strings and makes you feel re-born.
He delivered.
Practical Demon Keeping tells the story of a man who accidentally invokes a people-eating demon (actually, a fallen angel corrupted by time spent in hell and on earth), and tangles he gets into trying to shoulder the bur...more
He delivered.
Practical Demon Keeping tells the story of a man who accidentally invokes a people-eating demon (actually, a fallen angel corrupted by time spent in hell and on earth), and tangles he gets into trying to shoulder the bur...more
This is my second Christopher Moore novel, Sacre Bleu being my first. Christopher Moore has shown himself to be a competent writer, but once again, as with Sacre Bleu, I find myself wondering where the comedy truly comes into play. Christopher Moore is typically talked about as a very funny man, and I can certainly see some of that shine in this, his first novel. This comedy is very good, very dark and probably a little offensive to the right people, but there's not enough of it to hold this boo...more
I’ve sort of gone about reading Moore’s books backwards, I think – or, in some sort of sideways rhythm anyway. This is his first book, and yet it’s the fourth of his I’ve read. I mention this because I think my impressions on the book were colored by this fact. This is one author whose writing, wit, repartee, and timing has definitely improved as he’s gone along. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this book – it definitely had it’s moments where I laughed or rolled my eyes along with the character...more
When I decided to read Christopher Moore’s first book, I somehow expected it to be his funniest. You know, something fresh and original, created before the new author gets sucked into the commercial publishing machine and starts churning out mass-manufactured replica of his first success.
But compared to Moore’s later books, Practical Demonkeeping seems to lack maturity and courage - it feels as if the author was testing the waters that he would fully plunge into only later in his career. His gre...more
But compared to Moore’s later books, Practical Demonkeeping seems to lack maturity and courage - it feels as if the author was testing the waters that he would fully plunge into only later in his career. His gre...more
After reading a more serious book, such as Memoirs of a Geisha, I like to balance it out with something a little more wacky and zany...enter Christopher Moore!
My massage therapist recommended Moore to me as an author that is very readable, whose books don't involve a lot of complex thoughts that could be forgotten if the book is read over long periods of time. I had lamented to her how much I missed reading adult literature for pleasure, and she suggested Moore books primarily because I could se...more
My massage therapist recommended Moore to me as an author that is very readable, whose books don't involve a lot of complex thoughts that could be forgotten if the book is read over long periods of time. I had lamented to her how much I missed reading adult literature for pleasure, and she suggested Moore books primarily because I could se...more
Be careful what you wish for. And while you're at it, be careful what you wish for when you don't even realize that you're making a wish. If only Travis O'Hearn had received this gem of advice before being saddled with Catch, a demon he inadvertently freed from the bowels of Hell and is now stuck with for eternity. Sure, he's gotten used to Catch's human munching ways and effectively disappearing from wherever they might be very quickly. But it's a hassle. And Travis would rather just settle dow...more
Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore (pp. 243)
An ancient netherworld demon wrecks havoc on a sleepy little resort town in California as his handler tries to contain him while attempting to keep the demon’s presence a secret and battling other external elements.
Christopher Moore has long been recommended to me. This is the first novel of his and the first that I’ve read. From page one I realized I should have been reading this author much earlier. There’s a lot of enjoy.
There are elements...more
An ancient netherworld demon wrecks havoc on a sleepy little resort town in California as his handler tries to contain him while attempting to keep the demon’s presence a secret and battling other external elements.
Christopher Moore has long been recommended to me. This is the first novel of his and the first that I’ve read. From page one I realized I should have been reading this author much earlier. There’s a lot of enjoy.
There are elements...more
I think I have an issue getting through the first chapter in any Moore book, save Lamb. I read the first chapter and almost gave the book up as a lost cause, but a stressful day had me reaching into my bag for it and I'm glad I finished it. I like how Moore weaves together multiple characters and events, including sometimes silly, pointless side lines of things that happen as a result of the plot. His characters are always diverse, interesting things, and often times display attributes true to p...more
It's a good travel book. Not very taxing, but as I read it, I couldn't help but feel it was an immitation or blend of Tom Robbins and Neil Gaiman (I acknowledge that I've just mixed chronological predecessors and contemporaries/peers - I'm just trying to describe what it felt like to read). I selected this book among the range of Christopher Moore's books in the airport bookstore because it was his first. He appears to be pretty prolific, so I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't evolve into his...more
Practical Demonkeeping lacks the sparkle and humor that infuses much of Moore's other works. Structurally, it's a bit of a mess, with Moore meandering around through the back stories of tertiary and quaternary characters that serve no purpose whatsoever other than the bring the narrative flow to a screeching halt. Yet, despite all of this extra information, it feels as though huge swaths of the mythology are just missing--swaths which actually would have made the events of the novel of greater i...more
Not one of Moore's funnier novels by far, but the action and intrigue made up for it in my opinion. I fell into this one much easier than Coyote Blue or a Dirty Job and though I didn't chuckle nearly as much, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I liked that Rivera from A Dirty Job was featured in it, but I guess since this novel was first, this would be his first appearance. I think perhaps the previous acquaintance with Catch from Lamb kept me from taking him too seriously in this piece. (It's...more
Although this is not one of Christopher Moore's funniest books in my opinion, it definitely has its moments. Practical Demonkeeping is another fun and twisted romp with the perverse author of Dirty Job and Fool who crafts great quirky characters to carry his stories. Mavis, the bar owner from Stupidest Angel is here, as is Detective Rivera from Dirty Job and Moore's vampire novels. (I particularly enjoyed the way Mavis answers the phone in the bar: "Garden of Eden, Snake speaking.")
P.D. is one o...more
P.D. is one o...more
Well, more like 3.5 stars... a solid read, nothing too exciting or groundbreaking, but considering this was Moore's first novel, not bad. Enjoyable and funny.
Of Moore's work, I read A DIRTY JOB first and really dug it, then subsequently picked up FOOL and LAMB and didn't make past the halfway point with either one. They weren't bad, they just didn't hold my interest, nor have I had a desire to return to them. DEMONKEEPING is closer to DIRTY JOB in terms of style and tone, a similar, lighthearted...more
Of Moore's work, I read A DIRTY JOB first and really dug it, then subsequently picked up FOOL and LAMB and didn't make past the halfway point with either one. They weren't bad, they just didn't hold my interest, nor have I had a desire to return to them. DEMONKEEPING is closer to DIRTY JOB in terms of style and tone, a similar, lighthearted...more
It's very hard for me to go below 3 stars when the book isn't boring and does not greatly offend me.
As with the other books of his that I've read, Moore loses out on a higher score mostly because of deeply lazy stabs at humor he takes. Most obnoxious is the hotel worker pretending to be a woman on the internet. While it may have been slightly less well-worn territory back in the mid-90's, it still wouldn't have been funny. Moore has the sort of humor that aims low, even for the height he thinks...more
As with the other books of his that I've read, Moore loses out on a higher score mostly because of deeply lazy stabs at humor he takes. Most obnoxious is the hotel worker pretending to be a woman on the internet. While it may have been slightly less well-worn territory back in the mid-90's, it still wouldn't have been funny. Moore has the sort of humor that aims low, even for the height he thinks...more
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This was the first Christopher Moore book and I was pleasantly surprised. I'd call this book a comedic drama rather than a dramatic comedy. I liked Moore's humor but think Douglas Adams' is about eight coats to think.
To those contemplating reading this book but put-off by some reviewers commenting on difficulties keeping the characters straight, take heart. Only 15 people really need to be tracked - not in great detail, mind you, just remember a one sentence description of who they are. If you'r...more
To those contemplating reading this book but put-off by some reviewers commenting on difficulties keeping the characters straight, take heart. Only 15 people really need to be tracked - not in great detail, mind you, just remember a one sentence description of who they are. If you'r...more
I really enjoy Christopher Moore, this is the 3rd novel of his that I have read, and haven't been disappointed yet. As is often stated, Moore is very reminiscent of Vonnegut, who was my absolute favorite author as a young adult, so it is no surprise I like his work. In many ways, Moore is more accessible than Vonnegut; easier to read, understand, and pick up for casual reading.
Just as in "Lamb" and "Dirty Job" we have very real people thrown into absurd, fantastical situations. (and, at least i...more
Just as in "Lamb" and "Dirty Job" we have very real people thrown into absurd, fantastical situations. (and, at least i...more
Having read Lamb last year, Christopher Moore has been on my list and I thought I would start with his first book. Practical Demonkeeping is set in the fictional town of Pine Cove, in California near the Big Sur. This already endeared me to the book as we spent time in the Big Sur last year and it was one of my favourite places on the planet.
Travis accidentally summoned the demon "Catch" from hell, whilst training to be a priest in 1919. Since then Catch had followed him everywhere, and has been...more
Travis accidentally summoned the demon "Catch" from hell, whilst training to be a priest in 1919. Since then Catch had followed him everywhere, and has been...more
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Christopher Moore (born 1957 in Toledo, Ohio) is an American writer of absurdist fiction. He grew up in Mansfield, OH, and attended Ohio State University and Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA.
Moore's novels typically involve conflicted everyman characters...more
More about Christopher Moore...
Christopher Moore (born 1957 in Toledo, Ohio) is an American writer of absurdist fiction. He grew up in Mansfield, OH, and attended Ohio State University and Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA.
Moore's novels typically involve conflicted everyman characters...more
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