From Italy, a wildly modern riff on Ovid’s Metamorphoses—a whirlwind of ironic fables in which the central hero, Viskovitz, cont...
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Jun 21, 2008
Bobby
rated it: 
A 4.5 star effort. An odd (in a good way), quirky book about Viskovitz and his adventures on the ladder of evolution, or more accurately, reincarnation. The book is made up of very-short short stories, in each of which Viskovitz is a different animal/insect (though always male). And in each story, he mates/tries to mate with the love of his life, while participating in the rat-race (no pun intended) of daily existence. Written by a biologist, there is enough science here that the whole book is q
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Jun 03, 2007
Trin
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This is a really funny clever book, written by a biologist, and what he does is use the mating habits of all these different species of animals to reflect on the ridiculousness, the tragedy, the beauty, and the futility of the human animal's mating games. Viskovitz, in the various interconnected stories in this book, is at times a shark, a rat, a lion, a praying mantis, a pig, an ant, a bee...and his fumblings in all these forms to find love-and-sex, sex-and-love, are both hilarious and tragic.
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Feb 08, 2011
Heather
rated it: 
The more I think about it... the more I absolutely LOVE this book.... it has, without a doubt, become one of my favorites. The best part is- each story is individual- so skipping around, re-reading, or getting a quick-wit literary fix are all possible options with this book.
great idea(s). great voice. creative concept. Fantastic book.
****For those of you having trouble "getting-in-to-it"... skip to another chapter!!! It's not a linear plot- it's a book of fable- More...
great idea(s). great voice. creative concept. Fantastic book.
****For those of you having trouble "getting-in-to-it"... skip to another chapter!!! It's not a linear plot- it's a book of fable- More...
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Jun 05, 2007
Punk
rated it:
Short Stories. Viskovitz is an animal, literally. He's an elk. He's a pig. He's a rat. He's a self-lovin' snail. Each chapter features Viskovitz as a different animal, searching for love, or, when that fails, sex.
This is a funny, absurd, weird little book and the satire reminded me of Vonnegut -- off-hand, yet over the top. If I had read Animal Farm I could compare it to that in some way, but I haven't so I won't. Instead I'll say that if you want to read about the courtship problem More...
This is a funny, absurd, weird little book and the satire reminded me of Vonnegut -- off-hand, yet over the top. If I had read Animal Farm I could compare it to that in some way, but I haven't so I won't. Instead I'll say that if you want to read about the courtship problem More...
Jan 05, 2009
Hanne Westrum
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I loved it! Absolutely wonderful! Funny, witty, interesting and intelligently written! One of my favorites, by far! Now-a-days I read it for my pre-husband when going to bed. And he laughs out load, and loves it just as much as I do!
Jan 30, 2010
Jennifer
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This is not your typical book, at all. Each chapter is a different interpretation on the ideas of love through the metaphor of animals. It was amazing, quirky, witty, and uplifting. Highly recommended!
Oct 15, 2010
Fabiola
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This book is so funny i rarely read funny books but this one is worth it. Its funny how Visko can compare us women to animals its just different stories of a Visko and the different woman's in his life.How hes always in and out of love hes never steady. how he thinks hes in love but meets another woman and it all happens again. I can also relate yo this book thats why it catches my attention it always leaves me wondering will visko ever be tied down?
Jan 06, 2009
Christy
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Hilarious and entertaining book. A series of short stories, so it's easy to read a story each night before bed, on a train ride, or at lunch. A great little read, highly recommend it.
Jun 18, 2011
jennifer
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a series of romantic fables between different species (elk, snails, amoebas), illustrated by Roz Chast and translated from Italian. I couldn't love a book more.
Oct 10, 2010
Jacquie
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I enjoy eclectic books that are grounded in science, mathematics, and nature and which show great imagination on the part of the author -- this is one such book!
Jan 20, 2011
Katrina
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Lots of info about animals I never knew...
In a funny way too!
The modern Aesop's Fables, complete with sex and death, and and a whole lotta fun!
In a funny way too!
The modern Aesop's Fables, complete with sex and death, and and a whole lotta fun!
Jun 15, 2011
Jennifer
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It's like reading twisted Russian literature if all Russians were biologists. Great for adult bedtime stories.
Aug 31, 2009
Lavinia
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A funny mix of fables, irony, satire, human typology and delicious language. I loled a lot, which is, I think, the ultimate aim of it.
Jul 27, 2011
Lindy
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A charming book, the most unique collection of short stories I've ever read.
Aug 07, 2008
Jessica
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One of my favorite books! A collection of short stories in which each chapter the protagonist, Viskovitz, is a different animal. Written by a russian biologist, the book captures Viskovitz' natural urges as he searches for sex, food, status, and love as succumbed to his animal instincts. For example, as a lion he falls in love with a deer, and although he wants to marry her, he also wants to eat her. As a chameleon, he doesn't know who his love is as she changes shape. An easy and fast read.
Jan 25, 2009
Bonnie Jeanne
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Oh, this is very funny. The terminology is extremely scientific so you have to kind of stumble over the various words for animal reproductive organs and just imagine where they are located. However, that adds to the fun. This is erotica in code, sort of. [return:][return:]The one where Viskovitz becomes a praying mantis is my one of favorite. I won't give away the punchline, but it had me giggling in the cafe at work which prompted questions that made me blush when I had to answer.
Jun 12, 2008
Karen
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This book is either a really insightful examination of the existential crisis or a total mocking of the very idea of an existential crisis. or both. regardless, the slug chapter and scorpion chapter are beyond awesome. I've probably already told you this, because I insist on recommending this book to everyone. I have a weird and probably unfounded love of it. I know it's not THAT great but I can't help myself. It's like the Third Eye Blind CD that's always in my car.
Feb 12, 2009
Shannan
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Smart, funny collection of vignettes of life and love from the point of view of Viskovitz, a somewhat ridiculous fellow living variously as a dormouse, a lion, a microbe, a shark, etc. The author is a biologist and much of the humor comes from the vagaries of nature. I particularly loved "The Less Said the Better, Viskovitz," a meditation on fish language, and "You're a Prickly Fellow, Viskovitz," a Western populated with scorpions. Well worth reading.
Jul 07, 2008
Taylor
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I had a very difficult time getting into this; I read the first several stories over a period of weeks and months. Later, I read the rest in a day; I'm not sure if they were better or if it was just my frame of mind. Some were interesting, even poignant at times, and a certain story sticks with me, but I'm fairly sure my initial reluctance to enjoy it was a better summary for the collection than a stronger reaction to a few pieces of it.
Feb 09, 2012
Sydney
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I picked this book up at my local Goodwill because of the cover. I thought it was a children's book until I read the synopsis and thought it would be a strange read for a certain mood. The first few stories were hilarious and I found myself laughing at quite a few parts. Of course with a collection of stories, even if they are from the same author with the same style, there were a few I didn't like very much.
Dec 17, 2009
sara
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This is a supremely odd book that takes a look at animal behaviors over a bunch of different species, and in the subtext compares them to human behaviors.
All of the vignettes are about an animal, Viskovitz, in pursuit of the love of his many lives, Ljuba, and the strange and familiar ways different species pursue love, sex, family, and survival. I think my favorite was the sponges. Or the scorpions.
All of the vignettes are about an animal, Viskovitz, in pursuit of the love of his many lives, Ljuba, and the strange and familiar ways different species pursue love, sex, family, and survival. I think my favorite was the sponges. Or the scorpions.
May 28, 2007
Jessica
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Clever, satirical 21st century animal fables. Each fable features the lead character Viskovitz trying to find love as a different animal including a dog, an elk, a spider and a microbe. Boffa anthropomorphizes the animals so that they have human emotions such as lust, affection and jealousy. If you want a total break and 180 degree turn from whatever you've been reading lately, I recommend this book.
Aug 28, 2008
Zoran
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Ok, this is a great book. It is a collection of short stories about Viskovitz, who is in love with a female called Ljuba. But, the problem is: they are not human! In each story, they belong to different animal species. So we get a peek into love-related problems of bugs, sponges, fish, sharks, snails and so on... each story is really funny and philosophic.
Jul 22, 2008
Aly
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According to the book jacket, "a modern riff on Ovid's Metamorphoses." It's a bizarre and funny collection of short stories about animals. I'd love to re-read sometime with some Ovid under my belt first.
May 15, 2007
Erin
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My younger brother lent this to me last summer. Its a quick read...yet humerous and mas que todo...fantastic. I added the Spanish version to my to-read list...Its just that great...
Aug 16, 2007
Ken
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This is the perfect book for travel days. The individual stories are very short, witty, hilarious, and sometimes touching. I cant see why anyone would object to this book.
