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ýShroom!: A Funny Book
'Shroom! is a nine-foot tall talking mushroom that mysteriously appears to give Arnold Miracle something called Allpowers, but doesn't tell Arnold what they are or how they work. Soon, Arnold finds himself on a twisted adventure of discovery and nearly ultimate power that transcends time, space and good taste. The story bounces backward and forward in time from Los Angeles to NYC, from 1930s depression-era Hollywood to the depths of Loch Ness, from vintage '50s Vegas to the Cretaceous Era, from the moon to an infamous Dallas day in November '63, from the Amazon river to the plains of Iceland to, finally, shocking revelation on the shores of Maui. " 'Shroom! " features an extraordinary supporting cast that includes Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Martin & Lewis, James Bond, Laurel & Hardy, JFK, John Lennon, William Randolph Hearst, Bettie Page, Charlie Chaplin, Lucky Luciano, God and a few surprises. One of them is that Arnold isn't the only one with Allpowers. A villain named Kling also has them and he wants Arnold Miracle way totally dead. It all ends with an epic Allpowers battle between Good and Evil, a beautiful girl in lingerie, some man-eating fish, Charlton Heston in a loincloth and rum smoothies. It's a comedy.
450 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 25, 2010
From the first page, "'Shroom!" is a total trip, one that you'll laugh through, and be unable to put down. At least that's how it was for me.
Arnold Miracle is just your average, everyday guy, until one morning as he is eating breakfast, he notices a door in his kitchen that was never there before. The door opens into a basement (also never there before,) and Arnold's descent into that basement changes his life forever.
In the basement, he meets Shroom, a 9 foot talking mushroom, who grants Arnold something called "Allpowers." Shroom seemingly enjoys not answering direct questions though, and it is up to Arnold to learn exactly what these allpowers make him capable of.
"'Shroom!" is a classic story of good vs. evil, told in a new and bizarre manner. The story jumps all over the world, and back and forth in time. From 1930's Hollywood, to the times of the dinosaurs, and lots of places in between. It's a ride that will keep you laughing, and curious as to what will happen next. The story also includes an all star guess cast. From Marilyn Monroe, to John Lennon, to Frank Sinatra, you never know who Arnold may meet next.
If you're looking for something a little bit different to get lost in, I'd highly recommend getting yourself a copy of this book. It's light, yet centers around such themes as love, lust and the fight of good and evil. Any book that can keep you laughing is always a good choice right?
Arnold Miracle is just your average, everyday guy, until one morning as he is eating breakfast, he notices a door in his kitchen that was never there before. The door opens into a basement (also never there before,) and Arnold's descent into that basement changes his life forever.
In the basement, he meets Shroom, a 9 foot talking mushroom, who grants Arnold something called "Allpowers." Shroom seemingly enjoys not answering direct questions though, and it is up to Arnold to learn exactly what these allpowers make him capable of.
"'Shroom!" is a classic story of good vs. evil, told in a new and bizarre manner. The story jumps all over the world, and back and forth in time. From 1930's Hollywood, to the times of the dinosaurs, and lots of places in between. It's a ride that will keep you laughing, and curious as to what will happen next. The story also includes an all star guess cast. From Marilyn Monroe, to John Lennon, to Frank Sinatra, you never know who Arnold may meet next.
If you're looking for something a little bit different to get lost in, I'd highly recommend getting yourself a copy of this book. It's light, yet centers around such themes as love, lust and the fight of good and evil. Any book that can keep you laughing is always a good choice right?
May 27, 2013
Stylistically, the book is a cross between a Farrelly Brothers movie and one of the better Thorne Smith fantasies (RAIN IN THE DOORWAY or NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS). I was quickly transported into a delightfully bizarre premise that functioned with a logic all it's own. The pace is so breathless that there is barely time to wonder what is going to happen next...it's already happening!
There were two strengths that cause me to recommend the book. The first is the ambitious bringing to life of "Hot Toddy" herself, the mesmerizing Thelma Todd, and the Hollywood surrounding her. Descriptions of the environs were so spot-on that I felt I was there. It was also fun to imagine who I would meet next.
The second is that in the two years that have passed since I read the book, I've thought about it at least once a month ever since. That's unusual, and is probably the perfect definition of the word "haunting."
There is an indication that there may be more adventures to follow. If so, dare I hope that either Jean Harlow or Louise Brooks might make an appearance?
There were two strengths that cause me to recommend the book. The first is the ambitious bringing to life of "Hot Toddy" herself, the mesmerizing Thelma Todd, and the Hollywood surrounding her. Descriptions of the environs were so spot-on that I felt I was there. It was also fun to imagine who I would meet next.
The second is that in the two years that have passed since I read the book, I've thought about it at least once a month ever since. That's unusual, and is probably the perfect definition of the word "haunting."
There is an indication that there may be more adventures to follow. If so, dare I hope that either Jean Harlow or Louise Brooks might make an appearance?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews