The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore (pp. 306)

Moore’s third comedy novel based in Pine Cove, CA reads like a strange combination of Grisswolds, Desperate Housewives, and Kevin Smith’s Dogma. While juggling multiple characters, Moore keeps the story on track as an accidental death of a bitter Santa, a wish overheard by an over-zealous angel, and a zombie uprising come to a head with the heightened urgency and layers of slapstick 50s comedy.

Like other Moore offerings, there are many cleaver observations about people and society and winning turns-of-phrase. The interactions are weird. The people are broadly drawn. Malice is always laced with sweetness. Moore continues to be the perfect departure from reality and serious reading while still providing some value in the silly. How Moore’s zombie/Christmas tale hasn’t been made into a movie surprises. Fun and goofy and fast.