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Roger Rabbit #1
Who Censored Roger Rabbit?
"Who'd want to kill a dumb cartoon bunny?"
That's what Eddie Valiant wants to know. He's the toughest private eye in Los Angeles, and he'll handle anything—if you're human. If you're a Toon, that's another story.
Eddie doesn't like Toons—those cartoon characters who live side-by-side with humans. Not the way they look, and especially not the way they talk: word-filled balloons come out of their mouths and then disintegrate, leaving dust all over his rug.
Eddie will work for a Toon if his cash supply is low enough. So he reluctantly agrees when Roger Rabbit, a Toon who plays straight man (or should that be straight rabbit) in the Baby Herman cartoon series, asks him to find out who's been trying—unsuccessfully—to buy his contract from the DeGreasy Brothers syndicate.
Then Rocco DeGreasy is murdered—and Roger is the prime suspect! The rabbit is also, as Eddie soon discovers, very, very dead.
Who censored Roger Rabbit? And who shot Rocco DeGreasy? Was it Roger, or was it Rocco's hot-cha-cha girlfriend, Jessica Rabbit? Why had Jessica—a pretty steamy number for a Toon—ever married a dopey bunny in the first place? And why does everybody want Roger's battered old teakettle?
As Eddie combs L.A. from the executive suites of the DeGreasy Brothers to Sid Sleaze's porno comic studio, he uncovers art thefts, blackmail plots... and the cagiest killer he's ever faced.
In Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, author Gary K. Wolf has created a wonderfully skewed—and totally believable—world compounded of equal parts Raymond Chandler, Lewis Carroll, and Warner Brothers. This riotously surreal spoof of the hard-boiled detective novel is packed with action and laughs. From first page to last, Who Censored Roger Rabbit? is shear delight.
Celebrated author Gary K. Wolf's cult classic and highly praised novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? is the basis for the blockbuster Walt Disney/Steven Spielberg Academy Award–winning film Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
That's what Eddie Valiant wants to know. He's the toughest private eye in Los Angeles, and he'll handle anything—if you're human. If you're a Toon, that's another story.
Eddie doesn't like Toons—those cartoon characters who live side-by-side with humans. Not the way they look, and especially not the way they talk: word-filled balloons come out of their mouths and then disintegrate, leaving dust all over his rug.
Eddie will work for a Toon if his cash supply is low enough. So he reluctantly agrees when Roger Rabbit, a Toon who plays straight man (or should that be straight rabbit) in the Baby Herman cartoon series, asks him to find out who's been trying—unsuccessfully—to buy his contract from the DeGreasy Brothers syndicate.
Then Rocco DeGreasy is murdered—and Roger is the prime suspect! The rabbit is also, as Eddie soon discovers, very, very dead.
Who censored Roger Rabbit? And who shot Rocco DeGreasy? Was it Roger, or was it Rocco's hot-cha-cha girlfriend, Jessica Rabbit? Why had Jessica—a pretty steamy number for a Toon—ever married a dopey bunny in the first place? And why does everybody want Roger's battered old teakettle?
As Eddie combs L.A. from the executive suites of the DeGreasy Brothers to Sid Sleaze's porno comic studio, he uncovers art thefts, blackmail plots... and the cagiest killer he's ever faced.
In Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, author Gary K. Wolf has created a wonderfully skewed—and totally believable—world compounded of equal parts Raymond Chandler, Lewis Carroll, and Warner Brothers. This riotously surreal spoof of the hard-boiled detective novel is packed with action and laughs. From first page to last, Who Censored Roger Rabbit? is shear delight.
Celebrated author Gary K. Wolf's cult classic and highly praised novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? is the basis for the blockbuster Walt Disney/Steven Spielberg Academy Award–winning film Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
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5568 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 556 reviews
July 17, 2020
I may have what some might consider and interesting opinion on this one. It is always hard when reading a book that a movie you love and have seen a dozen times in the past 30 years is based on. Normally I think I would go in with a lot of pre-conceived notions and be completely unhappy with the result when I come out the other side. But, in this case, I am happy with the book, but only because it was easy for me to separate it from the movie.
How you ask? I am not 100% sure, but I can say that while the essence and certain key lines ("I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way") are still there, it felt completely different - enough so that I was able to enjoy it as a new story. Perhaps almost sequel-ish. The book is darker and raunchier with some sex and violence a bit more extreme than the movie. But, it was still funny and the relationship between Valiant, Roger, and Jessica was entertaining to follow.
Since many of you are probably familiar with the movie, you probably know that this is a satire take on the hard-boiled genre. I think that anyone who enjoys that genre will find a lot to enjoy here. It contains many of my favorite hard-boiled tropes - especially all of the crazy comparisons made by the main character (i.e. in one scene a character is trying to get coffee and snacks out of vending machines by punching and shaking them. He gets coffee, but the snack machine will not give in to the pressure - Valiant says that the snack machine "must have had a stronger Union than the coffee machine" I LOLed! 🤣🤣🤣)
All in all a fun book. Will you like it if you liked the movie? Maybe. Will you like it if you like hard-boiled? Maybe. I think it is best going in knowing it is a little bit of both, but nothing like you have read before. Whether you love it or hate it, I hope it gives you a few chuckles!
How you ask? I am not 100% sure, but I can say that while the essence and certain key lines ("I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way") are still there, it felt completely different - enough so that I was able to enjoy it as a new story. Perhaps almost sequel-ish. The book is darker and raunchier with some sex and violence a bit more extreme than the movie. But, it was still funny and the relationship between Valiant, Roger, and Jessica was entertaining to follow.
Since many of you are probably familiar with the movie, you probably know that this is a satire take on the hard-boiled genre. I think that anyone who enjoys that genre will find a lot to enjoy here. It contains many of my favorite hard-boiled tropes - especially all of the crazy comparisons made by the main character (i.e. in one scene a character is trying to get coffee and snacks out of vending machines by punching and shaking them. He gets coffee, but the snack machine will not give in to the pressure - Valiant says that the snack machine "must have had a stronger Union than the coffee machine" I LOLed! 🤣🤣🤣)
All in all a fun book. Will you like it if you liked the movie? Maybe. Will you like it if you like hard-boiled? Maybe. I think it is best going in knowing it is a little bit of both, but nothing like you have read before. Whether you love it or hate it, I hope it gives you a few chuckles!
February 19, 2012
Growing up, I absolutely loved the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. I've been told many times that my brother and I killed the VHS copy we had from watching it so much, and so we kept having to catch it on the Disney Channel free preview weekends when funds were too tight to buy a new copy. Eventually I grew up, got a job, and for a small window of a couple years, had disposable income due to not having any financial obligations of my own. So I bought a copy on DVD. That's when I finally noticed on the end credits that it was based upon a book I had never ever heard about.
When I eventually found a copy of the book, the story I read only had fleeting similarities beyond the names and occupations of the main characters. In fact, the book was given a thorough "child-friendly" veneer in its screen treatment, and despite the success of this effort, it still maintained it's appeal to adults. If they'd been more true to the book, it would have lost out on its cross generation appeal.
Even though I can honestly say that I prefer the movie that was loosely based upon it better, this was still an interesting read, and I like some of the key plot differences and concepts that can be found in the book.
When I eventually found a copy of the book, the story I read only had fleeting similarities beyond the names and occupations of the main characters. In fact, the book was given a thorough "child-friendly" veneer in its screen treatment, and despite the success of this effort, it still maintained it's appeal to adults. If they'd been more true to the book, it would have lost out on its cross generation appeal.
Even though I can honestly say that I prefer the movie that was loosely based upon it better, this was still an interesting read, and I like some of the key plot differences and concepts that can be found in the book.
Want to read
August 3, 2018This hardcover is numbered 40 of 300 copies produced, with an additional 20 copies for contributors, The book is signed by Gary K. Wolf and Wayne Anderson (artwork).
April 8, 2020
“I’m not bad, Mr. Valiant. I’m just drawn that way.”
Woah this was veeeery different from the movie! And, I should add, definitely worse. The story is completely different, the character's personalities are almost opposite, and in general it doesn't work as smoothly as in the movie. But, overall, it wasn't a bad book. Just a classic noir, with its advantages (the mystery, the ironic tone) and disadvantages (the sexism etc.). I had fun while reading it and I am glad I did because I was really curious (having been a fan of the movie since I was a kid), but I don't think I'll ever read it again. It got me interested in noir though, and I think I will look for something else to read within this genre in the future.
Woah this was veeeery different from the movie! And, I should add, definitely worse. The story is completely different, the character's personalities are almost opposite, and in general it doesn't work as smoothly as in the movie. But, overall, it wasn't a bad book. Just a classic noir, with its advantages (the mystery, the ironic tone) and disadvantages (the sexism etc.). I had fun while reading it and I am glad I did because I was really curious (having been a fan of the movie since I was a kid), but I don't think I'll ever read it again. It got me interested in noir though, and I think I will look for something else to read within this genre in the future.
February 20, 2023
This ended up being an interesting read. Yes, it's the book Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is based on, but unlike the current trend, the original book was the dark and gritty version. While a lot of the characters show up in both versions, the movie and the book have completely different plots.
There are some other differences between the book and movie worlds. In the book, Toons mainly work in comics and not cartoons. They speak with speech bubbles that float above their heads, probably explaining the comic thing. In the book, Toons aren't nearly indestructible, like in the movie; they can die as easily as humans. The catch is that they can create limited time doppelgangers to serve as their stunt doubles like Loki in the MCU. Another big difference is that some humanoid toons like Jessica Rabbit are so realistic that they can almost pass as human. In universe conspiracy theories are centered around famous people really being toons.
The book plays the story pretty straight, for the most part. It's a hard-boiled detective story that just happens to take place in a world with Toons. I liked the mystery, but I wasn't a huge fan of the very ending. I was floating between 3 and 4 stars, and the ending settled it for me. I still think it's worth a read if you're a hard-boiled mystery fan or liked the movie. Being familiar with one won't ruin the other.
There are more Roger Rabbit books, but it sounds like they're a direct sequel to the movie and retcon this book. Sounds like I'll probably skip them.
There are some other differences between the book and movie worlds. In the book, Toons mainly work in comics and not cartoons. They speak with speech bubbles that float above their heads, probably explaining the comic thing. In the book, Toons aren't nearly indestructible, like in the movie; they can die as easily as humans. The catch is that they can create limited time doppelgangers to serve as their stunt doubles like Loki in the MCU. Another big difference is that some humanoid toons like Jessica Rabbit are so realistic that they can almost pass as human. In universe conspiracy theories are centered around famous people really being toons.
The book plays the story pretty straight, for the most part. It's a hard-boiled detective story that just happens to take place in a world with Toons. I liked the mystery, but I wasn't a huge fan of the very ending. I was floating between 3 and 4 stars, and the ending settled it for me. I still think it's worth a read if you're a hard-boiled mystery fan or liked the movie. Being familiar with one won't ruin the other.
There are more Roger Rabbit books, but it sounds like they're a direct sequel to the movie and retcon this book. Sounds like I'll probably skip them.
December 10, 2024
An intriguing piece of detective fiction, with some toons sprinkled throughout. The film adaptation of this is much different, but very similar in tone.
It's impossible to not compare the two after growing up watching the film. I only quite recently discovered the film was based on a book, so I had to check it out, especially being a fan of both crime novels and the film itself!
Recommended
It's impossible to not compare the two after growing up watching the film. I only quite recently discovered the film was based on a book, so I had to check it out, especially being a fan of both crime novels and the film itself!
Recommended
May 22, 2020
This is the spoiler free review of Who Censored Roger Rabbit, the spoiler full review that gets into all the gritty details can be found at https://amanjareads.com/2020/05/20/wh...
If you are anywhere near my age bracket you've very likely seen the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. You probably had a very confusing crush on Jessica Rabbit.
Just admit it, I know I did.
But you probably didn't know that the movie was based on a series of noir thriller novels by Gary K. Wolf. I know I didn't.
I recently rewatched the movie and it absolutely holds up. The animation is still breathtaking and the acting is superb. Seriously, add this to your short list of movies to watch again.
But while watching the credits for the movie I saw that ever so telling "based on the novel" caption and couldn't believe my eyes. This movie, about cartoons living among the humans was a novel?! How... how does that even work?
I had to find out, I bought the kindle edition of the first of the four novels immediately. And let me tell you, this is an impressive piece of fiction.
It strongly veers from the plot of the movie, at least this first book does. Hopefully I'll be able to get the other books soon and see if there are more similar plot elements but this first one is definitely different.
Jessica Rabbit is still in it and still (kind of) married to Roger. She's described exactly as she looks in the movie. The book does an incredible job of describing the toons. The crazy way they look as well as their inhuman actions and speech bubbles. The speech bubbles even interact in three dimensional space!
The plot stands on it's own for this first book. It's not the same as the movie and it has an actual conclusion so the sequels can be assumed to also be stand-alones.
It is also far more adult than the movie is. This is truly a hard-boiled action noir thriller that includes violence, sex, and other adult themes.
The best part is that it's just a well crafted mystery. The reader gets to keep track of clues and follow the trail of the mystery to the surprise twist ending that actually works. There are just enough red herrings to keep the story from being obvious but not so many that you just feel manipulated by the end.
Above all else, it's original. I've never read another book like it. It masterfully handles its bizarre concept and grounds it to be serious when it could easily become overly silly.
I look forward to reading the others in the series at a future date and would love to hear from anyone else who has read them.
If you love mystery novels add this one to the top of your to read list. It will keep you engaged the entire time and the characters are definitely far from stereotypical or boring.
If you are anywhere near my age bracket you've very likely seen the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. You probably had a very confusing crush on Jessica Rabbit.
Just admit it, I know I did.
But you probably didn't know that the movie was based on a series of noir thriller novels by Gary K. Wolf. I know I didn't.
I recently rewatched the movie and it absolutely holds up. The animation is still breathtaking and the acting is superb. Seriously, add this to your short list of movies to watch again.
But while watching the credits for the movie I saw that ever so telling "based on the novel" caption and couldn't believe my eyes. This movie, about cartoons living among the humans was a novel?! How... how does that even work?
I had to find out, I bought the kindle edition of the first of the four novels immediately. And let me tell you, this is an impressive piece of fiction.
It strongly veers from the plot of the movie, at least this first book does. Hopefully I'll be able to get the other books soon and see if there are more similar plot elements but this first one is definitely different.
Jessica Rabbit is still in it and still (kind of) married to Roger. She's described exactly as she looks in the movie. The book does an incredible job of describing the toons. The crazy way they look as well as their inhuman actions and speech bubbles. The speech bubbles even interact in three dimensional space!
The plot stands on it's own for this first book. It's not the same as the movie and it has an actual conclusion so the sequels can be assumed to also be stand-alones.
It is also far more adult than the movie is. This is truly a hard-boiled action noir thriller that includes violence, sex, and other adult themes.
The best part is that it's just a well crafted mystery. The reader gets to keep track of clues and follow the trail of the mystery to the surprise twist ending that actually works. There are just enough red herrings to keep the story from being obvious but not so many that you just feel manipulated by the end.
Above all else, it's original. I've never read another book like it. It masterfully handles its bizarre concept and grounds it to be serious when it could easily become overly silly.
I look forward to reading the others in the series at a future date and would love to hear from anyone else who has read them.
If you love mystery novels add this one to the top of your to read list. It will keep you engaged the entire time and the characters are definitely far from stereotypical or boring.
January 28, 2020
This is an incredibly well-done mystery with interesting twists, but that’s only part of the appeal: there are really creative fantasy elements (with phenomenal worldbuilding) that are used to comment on societal issues. It plays with the typical tropes of detective stories and is also really funny.
The idea of a world inhabited by cartoon characters and humans is interesting and Gary Wolf really utilizes all of the possibilities: there are comments on racism throughout the book, however the description of how life would work in that situation doesn’t stop there. Wolf had a lot of fun ideas besides the more serious aspects discussed (which never felt ham-fisted).
The reader gets a fascinating look at the entertainment industry, filled with memorable characters. Sure, our protagonist is the stereotypical private detective, for good reason, but most people and toons in this are very much their own. Also, the dynamic of Roger and Valiant really grew on me.
I also loved the writing style: it was a humorous take on a noir-style detective novel from a flawed character’s perspective, which gave me a good feel for the world immediately.
This was so much better than I thought it would be: it mastered all it attempted, and I just thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to the audio book.
The idea of a world inhabited by cartoon characters and humans is interesting and Gary Wolf really utilizes all of the possibilities: there are comments on racism throughout the book, however the description of how life would work in that situation doesn’t stop there. Wolf had a lot of fun ideas besides the more serious aspects discussed (which never felt ham-fisted).
The reader gets a fascinating look at the entertainment industry, filled with memorable characters. Sure, our protagonist is the stereotypical private detective, for good reason, but most people and toons in this are very much their own. Also, the dynamic of Roger and Valiant really grew on me.
I also loved the writing style: it was a humorous take on a noir-style detective novel from a flawed character’s perspective, which gave me a good feel for the world immediately.
This was so much better than I thought it would be: it mastered all it attempted, and I just thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to the audio book.
November 4, 2017
This book is so amazing. The ending was not what I expected it to be. It kept me guessing till the very last page. This is one of my new favorite books!
September 2, 2017
Good, not great. Dialogue-heavy and laden with lighthearted cliches. Zips along rapidly before losing itself in some gimmicky twists and turns to an oddball deus ex machina of an ending. One of those rare situations where the movie is better than the book--because they rewrote the whole plot, plus cartoon gags work better visually than in writing.
3 stars out of 5.
(Read in 2017, the twenty-third book in my Alphabetical Reading Challenge)
3 stars out of 5.
(Read in 2017, the twenty-third book in my Alphabetical Reading Challenge)
December 15, 2023
Very different from the film, but I have to admit it kept me guessing right up to the end.
October 11, 2019
First things first: This is nothing like the story of the movie. The general premise and the characters are all the same, but the plot, motivations, and even the characterization is different here. This might be general information by this point, though, considering every other review I've seen mentions something about it.
The thing is, this book shouldn't be skipped over because it's not the same story as the movie. Instead of cartoons, we have comic book characters; instead of infidelity, Eddie is investigating a murder; and instead of the main conflict revolving around ToonTown, the plot revolves around a ... teakettle.
(Yes, you read that correctly.)
There's a lot of brilliance in this story, not the least of which is the idea that cartoon characters exist as real beings in the world. The plot moves along at a nice pace, and as I neared the end of the book, I was looking for spare moments to read another chapter. I didn't quite read at stoplights while driving, but I was tempted.
Wolf captures the characters of Roger and Eddie perfectly, and develops their relationship appropriately. Again, it's different from the movie, though there are some similarities, but by the end of the book, they've both changed due to their experience together. It's touching, and if the last paragraph doesn't move you, you might want to contact a coroner.
The story is hard-boiled, which was a lot of fun. The similes alone are enough to make deviled eggs, and they're everywhere. Your tolerance of such things could affect how much you enjoy the story.
My only gripe with the story is its conclusion, which just ... really? That's it? I mean, it fits, in a weird sort of way, but it's ... really? That?
(Sorry for being vague, but ... really?)
There are two more novels in this series, but they were written after the movie's success, and honestly, I don't see how either of them could be possible. I might come back to them in a future moment of weakness (I get them a lot), but for now I don't feel the need to read them immediately.
I think I prefer the story of the movie over the book, but that could be because I watched the movie first. It could be because the ending was more satisfying, too, but hey, that's not enough not to read this book. It's still a fine piece of detective fiction with a touch of the fantastic.
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: A book with a question in the title
The thing is, this book shouldn't be skipped over because it's not the same story as the movie. Instead of cartoons, we have comic book characters; instead of infidelity, Eddie is investigating a murder; and instead of the main conflict revolving around ToonTown, the plot revolves around a ... teakettle.
(Yes, you read that correctly.)
There's a lot of brilliance in this story, not the least of which is the idea that cartoon characters exist as real beings in the world. The plot moves along at a nice pace, and as I neared the end of the book, I was looking for spare moments to read another chapter. I didn't quite read at stoplights while driving, but I was tempted.
Wolf captures the characters of Roger and Eddie perfectly, and develops their relationship appropriately. Again, it's different from the movie, though there are some similarities, but by the end of the book, they've both changed due to their experience together. It's touching, and if the last paragraph doesn't move you, you might want to contact a coroner.
The story is hard-boiled, which was a lot of fun. The similes alone are enough to make deviled eggs, and they're everywhere. Your tolerance of such things could affect how much you enjoy the story.
My only gripe with the story is its conclusion, which just ... really? That's it? I mean, it fits, in a weird sort of way, but it's ... really? That?
(Sorry for being vague, but ... really?)
There are two more novels in this series, but they were written after the movie's success, and honestly, I don't see how either of them could be possible. I might come back to them in a future moment of weakness (I get them a lot), but for now I don't feel the need to read them immediately.
I think I prefer the story of the movie over the book, but that could be because I watched the movie first. It could be because the ending was more satisfying, too, but hey, that's not enough not to read this book. It's still a fine piece of detective fiction with a touch of the fantastic.
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: A book with a question in the title
June 24, 2013
Like probably just about any other person who has read this book since 1988, I decided to read this book due to my love of the film.
Well, the book is definitely not the film. It's a more serious parody of the noir genre, complete with pulpy dialogue and shady characters.
I think the problem for me starts with those parody elements. None of them is done particularly well, they serve the purpose, but only to remind you that you're reading a parody rather than a tried-and-true novel. The cartoonish elements are downplayed, somewhat associated with racism and classism, but never really addressed in such a way to get across a point.
The plot is windy and twisty, but never particularly engaging. The result is a book that felt, unfortunately, half-realized until it reached the silver screen, where it comes fully into its own.
I'm glad I read the book, but would probably recommend to anyone that they skip it and watch the film instead, unless they are a die-hard fan of the story and wants to see where some of the superficial elements of the film came from.
It's a worthy effort, but ultimately not quite as good as it wants to be.
Well, the book is definitely not the film. It's a more serious parody of the noir genre, complete with pulpy dialogue and shady characters.
I think the problem for me starts with those parody elements. None of them is done particularly well, they serve the purpose, but only to remind you that you're reading a parody rather than a tried-and-true novel. The cartoonish elements are downplayed, somewhat associated with racism and classism, but never really addressed in such a way to get across a point.
The plot is windy and twisty, but never particularly engaging. The result is a book that felt, unfortunately, half-realized until it reached the silver screen, where it comes fully into its own.
I'm glad I read the book, but would probably recommend to anyone that they skip it and watch the film instead, unless they are a die-hard fan of the story and wants to see where some of the superficial elements of the film came from.
It's a worthy effort, but ultimately not quite as good as it wants to be.
June 23, 2017
WOW. I LOVED this! Frickin' hilarious, clever, and brilliant. I was not prepared for that ending. And, as in most mysteries I read (I don't read many), I got a little lost in the middle. But it was great!
If you loved Garfield: His 9 Lives, you will like or love this.
If you loved Garfield: His 9 Lives, you will like or love this.
January 20, 2011
You can't compare the book with the Disney Film. This is no juvenile literature, no way. Toons live side-by-side with humans, all around the world. They are no cuddly stars, just there to provide entertainment to humans. They "love and hate and cry and laugh", they struggle for their carreer, they have secrets to keep. They kill. The whole atmosphere is darker. Eddie Valiant relies on cards to pay the rent, he's a decent man and still a true alcohol lover. You won't see a single character with no vices here.
If you ask me, I tend to prefer the book. What with the scathing remarks in Eddie's thoughts and the weirdness of the toons speaking in baloons, I can't remind of a single boring chapter. Tough with not much action, the story becomes more and more intriguing just to take a final unexpected twist. Which also happens to be the only flaw, in my opinion: as a matter of fact, I don't like misteries dealing with totally unforeseeable events. But, in Eddie's words, with toons you know enough to expect the ridiculous!
If you ask me, I tend to prefer the book. What with the scathing remarks in Eddie's thoughts and the weirdness of the toons speaking in baloons, I can't remind of a single boring chapter. Tough with not much action, the story becomes more and more intriguing just to take a final unexpected twist. Which also happens to be the only flaw, in my opinion: as a matter of fact, I don't like misteries dealing with totally unforeseeable events. But, in Eddie's words, with toons you know enough to expect the ridiculous!
September 14, 2016
3.5
Esta lectura fue inesperada y debo resaltar que he tenido que desterrar toda idea preconcebida de la película para abordar la historia pues... es totalmente diferente. La película de Disney me encantó, pero es una película de Disney, debe ser políticamente correcta y con mucha acción. La novela al contrario es oscura. No es una historia plagada de acción, si no un old-fashion detective story, fue como leer algún relato protagonizado por Humprey Bogart, donde a través de las entrevistas que va realizando el protagonista Eddie Valiant vamos develando el misterio. Lo único que no me gustó tanto fue que el misterio da tantos giros que cuando se resuelve andaba un poco confundido sin saber en realidad qué creer XD.
Esta lectura fue inesperada y debo resaltar que he tenido que desterrar toda idea preconcebida de la película para abordar la historia pues... es totalmente diferente. La película de Disney me encantó, pero es una película de Disney, debe ser políticamente correcta y con mucha acción. La novela al contrario es oscura. No es una historia plagada de acción, si no un old-fashion detective story, fue como leer algún relato protagonizado por Humprey Bogart, donde a través de las entrevistas que va realizando el protagonista Eddie Valiant vamos develando el misterio. Lo único que no me gustó tanto fue que el misterio da tantos giros que cuando se resuelve andaba un poco confundido sin saber en realidad qué creer XD.
July 30, 2017
Okay but far from great
I didn't realise when I reviewed on Amazon it would overtake my initial review on Goodreads. I'll review again shortly.
I didn't realise when I reviewed on Amazon it would overtake my initial review on Goodreads. I'll review again shortly.
May 2, 2013
Non ricordo di aver mai adorato un film quanto il mai troppo apprezzato: "Chi ha incastrato Roger Rabbit". Non so se ho mai visto un film più volte di quante non abbia visto questo. Lo so a memoria. Non c'è un personaggio che non mi abbia appassionata, divertita, commossa. Ho passato anni terrorizzata al solo pensiero della scena in cui il giudice Morton viene sottilettato dallo schiacciasasi nella fabbrica ACME per poi uscirsene con una gommosità bidimensionale modello looney toons ideato da Stephen King ("E avevo questa vocetta... RICORDIIII?"). Mi sono esaltata per i mille riferimenti a personaggi animati più o meno conosciuti. Roger era un idiota assolutamente adorabile e adoravo Jessica. Persino gli effetti speciali mi esaltano ancora oggi, anche se sono decisamente datati.
Non appena venuta a conoscenza dell'esistenza di un libro scritto da Gary Wolf da cui ci si era molto liberamente ispirati per il film, è cominciata la mia piccola epopea di ricerca. Il libro, naturalmente introvabile in italiano, non è molto a portata di scaffale nemmeno in USA. L'ho cercato per anni e ancora non sono riuscita a mettere le mani su una versione cartacea che non costi come se le pagine fossero fatte di platino. La speranza è sempre l'ultima a morire.
Prima o poi ci riuscirò. Voglio quel libro.
Se qualcuno vuole regalarmelo è più che benvenuto! ;D
Va subito detto (ma lo sapevo già ed ero interessata all'acquisto proprio per questo motivo) che se ci si aspetta di leggere questo libro ritrovando le atmosfere deliziosamente hollywoodiane del film può anche fare a meno di leggerlo perchè la delusione è dietro l'angolo. Film e libro hanno in comune giusto i nomi dei personaggi principali, e qualche sparuto aspetto caratteriale. L'amore di Eddie Valiant per l'alcool. L'avvenenza di Jessica. Il ricco e vizioso Baby Herman intrappolato in un corpo di bebè. Per il resto, nel libro non ci sono nemmeno star-cartoons ma esseri a metà strada tra il cartone muto e il fumetto che "parlano" attraverso BALLOONS solidi. Il film ha comunque dei misteri da risolvere, sono di meno e lo sviluppo della trama è più lineare, e alla fine si risolve tutto con un grande e brutto cattivo colpevole anche dell'inflazione in crescita (spiegazione comoda laddove il libro tiene più al noir vero e proprio e non tira in mezzo cartoon impazziti. Tira fuori di peggio, ma dettagli, sarebbe spoiler! :D). Nel film ovviamente vengono coinvolti cartoni famosi di marchio disney warner e qualcuno MGM, il libro indulge anche in personaggi più di nicchia, come Dick Tracy o Felix the cat. Nel film ci sono scene d'azione e comicità slapstick laddove il libro ha molto più dialogo e l'umorismo è sottile e ironico, da noir per l'appunto.
Un'altra somiglianza di fondo è il fatto che i cartoni vengano considerati cittadini di serie B rispetto ai "normali": laddove nel film vivono in un ghetto formato cartoon in cui gli umani non mettono piede perchè troppo folle o addirittura pericoloso, nel libro lo stesso Eddie vive in un quartiere misto, in cui le strade sono insozzate dai resti in purtrefazione di migliaia di balloons e tra normali e cartoni scorre odio e disprezzo. Jessica, e in generale i cartoni umanoidi, rappresentano un'ovvia eccezione.
La storia del libro inizia con un detective privato, Eddie Valiant, assunto dal coniglio Roger Rabbit per una questione legale a riguardo del proprio contratto di lavoro: i fratelli De Greasy, Dominic e Rocco, che hanno su di lui diritti in esclusiva, gli avrebbero promesso una strip tutta sua mentre invece si ritrova dopo anni a fare la spalla di Baby Herman. Problema: la promessa, se effettivamente c'è stata (cosa di cui non si è sicuri perchè Roger ha la fama di essere un pazzo e un bugiardo ed è sotto cure psichiatriche) è verbale e nel contratto non v'è traccia di accordi simili. Nel bel mezzo dell'indagine Roger viene trovato assassinato nel suo appartamento, ucciso da un colpo di pistola che l'ha trapassato da una parte all'altra come carta: accanto ha un Baloon quasi del tutto svanito che fa riferimento al suo contratto e alla moglie Jessica ("No fair! You got me everything? Jessica. My contract…"). I sospetti ricadono subito sul suo rivale in amore, Rocco De Greasy, il nuovo fidanzato di Jessica (e suo ex, prima che sposasse Roger), se non fosse per il fatto che anche l'uomo viene trovato morto nel suo appartamento. Eddie decide di vederci chiaro in questo mistero... Con l'aiuto dello stesso Roger, o più precisamente del suo Doppelganger, un doppio mentale che i cartoons sono in grado di creare per brevi periodi in caso di bisogno (come stuntman per esempio, o come facchini). I Doppelganger hanno vita breve ma il doppio di Roger, che è stato creato dall'originale poco prima del suo omicidio, vorrebbe far luce su questo mistero. Dovranno risolvere tutto in un paio di giorni, e nel frattempo Roger farà da spalla a Eddie, visto che è sempre stato il suo sogno fare il detective.
Per il resto il libro è un noir fatto e finito: Il detective è uno sbevazzone incallito dalla morale molto relativa, c'è una famme fatale, un morto che ha più nemici che peli superflui, menzogne su menzogne e alibi che si annullano l'un l'altro, interrogatori e raccolta di prove fatta in modi più o meno legali. Gary Wolf vuole parlare di un mistero, e ci riesce maledettamente bene condendo la storia e il duplice omicidio di moventi, sospetti e una rivelazione a sorpresa dietro l'altra (alcuni meno riusciti di altri ma sempre in grado di emozionarmi), ma vuole anche affrontare il genere letterario con ironia, e i vari modi sarcastici con cui Eddie definisce l'azione di dare un pugno a qualcuno è solo uno degli esempi. Alla fine, inseguendo una misteriosa teiera rubata da Roger sul set del film "Alice in Wonderland" in cui ha partecipato come comparsa (interpretava un beagle, perchè i suoli da coniglio erano tutti riservati a Bugs Bunny) si scenderà addirittura nel soprannaturale, ma in un libro in cui i cartoni camminano e parlano è davvero il meno.
Roger non so se nella trasposizione filmica ci perda o ci guadagni, diciamo che i personaggi mi piacciono entrambi per motivi loro: Roger del film è un adorabile coglione, una star comica dei cartoni che vive per far ridere la gente, perchè "a volte nella vita ridere è l'unica cosa che ti rimane", è fiero del suo lavoro e ce l'ha nel sangue. Riesce a risultarmi simpatico persino considerando che a me i personaggi stupidi in genere fanno schifo, e non è poco. Il Roger del libro non è tanto entusiasta del fatto che la gente rida di lui, del fatto che sia una spalla di un bebè animato: lo trova umiliante. E' orgoglioso, arrivista, mantiene una facciata di stupideira ma mostra anche di possedere un acume non da ridere. E' un personaggio più complesso, un po' più dark, decisamente più astuto e in un certo senso adulto. Per i motivi che esporrò più chiaramente qui sotto, il suo amore disperato e incondizionato per Jessica qui raggiunge vette patetiche che non avevo visto neppure nelle soap opera mentre nel film trovavo la loro storia d'amore assolutamente adorabile.
Jessica è decisamente migliore nel film. Ma di parecchio. Nella versione animata il suo cavallo di battaglia era "Io non sono cattiva, è che mi disegnano così", affermazione che si rivelerà verissima. Jessica è innamorata follemente di suo marito anche se è un coniglio dei cartoni e anche se nessun "umano" riesce a capire come sia possibile (mentre ogni donna cartoon invidia LEI! Perchè Roger sa far ridere) ed è una moglie premurosa disposta a dare al marito padellate sulla zucca pur di salvargli la vita. Quello che fa lo fa per lavoro, flirta con Marvin ACME perchè costretta e minacciata, fa la vamp perchè è il suo personaggio. Per l'appunto, perchè la disegnano così. La Jessica del libro è la classica femmina bona e stronza che bada solo ai propri affari. Consapevole del proprio potere sugli uomini (per l'aspetto avvenente da pin up, per l'intelligenza e i modi eleganti e per il fatto che riesce a non parlare tramite balloons ma ad usare una voce molto bassa e sensuale) non esita a prometterla anche al panettiere sotto casa in cambio di una rosetta appena sfornata, convinta che non possa esserci ricompensa migliore delle sue grazie (si offrirà a Eddie che rifiuterà benchè egli sia decisamente attratto da lei, come tutti nel libro. Non tanto per rispetto verso Roger quando per il fatto che non gli piace essere usato, e Jessica l'ha inquadrata subito). Con gli uomini gioca, se li rigira, li stuzzica. Ha comportamenti da diva stizzita come Naomi Campbell. Ha posato per fumetti porno per denaro, e perchè le piaceva anche se gioca a fare la bambolina costretta dalla necessità, o alla vittima drogata e costretta. Cerca uomini danarosi. Sposa Roger la sera stessa in cui si conoscono ma dopo un anno divorzia da lui: lo detesta quel coniglio, lo trova disgustoso, un pusillanime, un idiota, uno stronzo, un pazzo, lei per prima non si rende conto di come possa una donna come lei amare un coniglio. Non vuole vederlo nemmeno in foto e a nulla valgono le suppliche del coniglio disperato che, convinto sempre con una cocciutagine irritante delle buone intenzioni della ex consorte, vuole parlarle per farle "confessare" che è stata costretta a lasciarlo per tornare dal suo ex, Rocco DeGrease. Wolf è chiaramente ironico nel dipingere questa famme fatale da noir, ma il personaggio risulta abbastanza piatto. Jessica nel libro o piange o la promette o racconta cazzate. Più spesso piange perchè ha raccontato cazzate e non ha funzionato prometterla. Non mi dispiace invece che la Jessica de libro si cambi d'abito e cambi pettinatura, le aggiunge un tocco di realismo che alla Jessica del film un po' manca. Anche se sembra un ossimoro parlarne in questi termini.
Eddie Valiant caratterialmente è molto simile in entrambe le versioni. Il film l'ha dotato di una donna con cui flirta adorabilmente ma con cui pare che non si concluderà mai nulla, la barista Dolores (nome omen), e di un background, un fratello ucciso da un cartone che ha giustificato in un film che era rivolto a un pubblico giovane il suo cinismo e il suo odio per i cartoni animati, il suo rifiuto di lavorare con loro. Nel libro non c'è alcun bisogno di una giustificazione per il razzismo, cosa che trovo più realistica, anche se la storia del fratello di Valiant era meravigliosa. Ai vizi dell'Eddie cartaceo viene dato più spazio (gioco d'azzardo e alcolismo, fumo, e anche sesso perchè no?)
Insomma, una lettura che ho trovato veramente deliziosa, appassionante e avvincente, sia come storia in sè (che resta comunque un noir, non vi aspettate particolari introspezioni psicologiche o uno stile manicheo) sia parallelamente ad un film che ho adorato e con cui ha veramente poco in comune.
Non appena venuta a conoscenza dell'esistenza di un libro scritto da Gary Wolf da cui ci si era molto liberamente ispirati per il film, è cominciata la mia piccola epopea di ricerca. Il libro, naturalmente introvabile in italiano, non è molto a portata di scaffale nemmeno in USA. L'ho cercato per anni e ancora non sono riuscita a mettere le mani su una versione cartacea che non costi come se le pagine fossero fatte di platino. La speranza è sempre l'ultima a morire.
Prima o poi ci riuscirò. Voglio quel libro.
Se qualcuno vuole regalarmelo è più che benvenuto! ;D
Va subito detto (ma lo sapevo già ed ero interessata all'acquisto proprio per questo motivo) che se ci si aspetta di leggere questo libro ritrovando le atmosfere deliziosamente hollywoodiane del film può anche fare a meno di leggerlo perchè la delusione è dietro l'angolo. Film e libro hanno in comune giusto i nomi dei personaggi principali, e qualche sparuto aspetto caratteriale. L'amore di Eddie Valiant per l'alcool. L'avvenenza di Jessica. Il ricco e vizioso Baby Herman intrappolato in un corpo di bebè. Per il resto, nel libro non ci sono nemmeno star-cartoons ma esseri a metà strada tra il cartone muto e il fumetto che "parlano" attraverso BALLOONS solidi. Il film ha comunque dei misteri da risolvere, sono di meno e lo sviluppo della trama è più lineare, e alla fine si risolve tutto con un grande e brutto cattivo colpevole anche dell'inflazione in crescita (spiegazione comoda laddove il libro tiene più al noir vero e proprio e non tira in mezzo cartoon impazziti. Tira fuori di peggio, ma dettagli, sarebbe spoiler! :D). Nel film ovviamente vengono coinvolti cartoni famosi di marchio disney warner e qualcuno MGM, il libro indulge anche in personaggi più di nicchia, come Dick Tracy o Felix the cat. Nel film ci sono scene d'azione e comicità slapstick laddove il libro ha molto più dialogo e l'umorismo è sottile e ironico, da noir per l'appunto.
Un'altra somiglianza di fondo è il fatto che i cartoni vengano considerati cittadini di serie B rispetto ai "normali": laddove nel film vivono in un ghetto formato cartoon in cui gli umani non mettono piede perchè troppo folle o addirittura pericoloso, nel libro lo stesso Eddie vive in un quartiere misto, in cui le strade sono insozzate dai resti in purtrefazione di migliaia di balloons e tra normali e cartoni scorre odio e disprezzo. Jessica, e in generale i cartoni umanoidi, rappresentano un'ovvia eccezione.
La storia del libro inizia con un detective privato, Eddie Valiant, assunto dal coniglio Roger Rabbit per una questione legale a riguardo del proprio contratto di lavoro: i fratelli De Greasy, Dominic e Rocco, che hanno su di lui diritti in esclusiva, gli avrebbero promesso una strip tutta sua mentre invece si ritrova dopo anni a fare la spalla di Baby Herman. Problema: la promessa, se effettivamente c'è stata (cosa di cui non si è sicuri perchè Roger ha la fama di essere un pazzo e un bugiardo ed è sotto cure psichiatriche) è verbale e nel contratto non v'è traccia di accordi simili. Nel bel mezzo dell'indagine Roger viene trovato assassinato nel suo appartamento, ucciso da un colpo di pistola che l'ha trapassato da una parte all'altra come carta: accanto ha un Baloon quasi del tutto svanito che fa riferimento al suo contratto e alla moglie Jessica ("No fair! You got me everything? Jessica. My contract…"). I sospetti ricadono subito sul suo rivale in amore, Rocco De Greasy, il nuovo fidanzato di Jessica (e suo ex, prima che sposasse Roger), se non fosse per il fatto che anche l'uomo viene trovato morto nel suo appartamento. Eddie decide di vederci chiaro in questo mistero... Con l'aiuto dello stesso Roger, o più precisamente del suo Doppelganger, un doppio mentale che i cartoons sono in grado di creare per brevi periodi in caso di bisogno (come stuntman per esempio, o come facchini). I Doppelganger hanno vita breve ma il doppio di Roger, che è stato creato dall'originale poco prima del suo omicidio, vorrebbe far luce su questo mistero. Dovranno risolvere tutto in un paio di giorni, e nel frattempo Roger farà da spalla a Eddie, visto che è sempre stato il suo sogno fare il detective.
Per il resto il libro è un noir fatto e finito: Il detective è uno sbevazzone incallito dalla morale molto relativa, c'è una famme fatale, un morto che ha più nemici che peli superflui, menzogne su menzogne e alibi che si annullano l'un l'altro, interrogatori e raccolta di prove fatta in modi più o meno legali. Gary Wolf vuole parlare di un mistero, e ci riesce maledettamente bene condendo la storia e il duplice omicidio di moventi, sospetti e una rivelazione a sorpresa dietro l'altra (alcuni meno riusciti di altri ma sempre in grado di emozionarmi), ma vuole anche affrontare il genere letterario con ironia, e i vari modi sarcastici con cui Eddie definisce l'azione di dare un pugno a qualcuno è solo uno degli esempi. Alla fine, inseguendo una misteriosa teiera rubata da Roger sul set del film "Alice in Wonderland" in cui ha partecipato come comparsa (interpretava un beagle, perchè i suoli da coniglio erano tutti riservati a Bugs Bunny) si scenderà addirittura nel soprannaturale, ma in un libro in cui i cartoni camminano e parlano è davvero il meno.
Roger non so se nella trasposizione filmica ci perda o ci guadagni, diciamo che i personaggi mi piacciono entrambi per motivi loro: Roger del film è un adorabile coglione, una star comica dei cartoni che vive per far ridere la gente, perchè "a volte nella vita ridere è l'unica cosa che ti rimane", è fiero del suo lavoro e ce l'ha nel sangue. Riesce a risultarmi simpatico persino considerando che a me i personaggi stupidi in genere fanno schifo, e non è poco. Il Roger del libro non è tanto entusiasta del fatto che la gente rida di lui, del fatto che sia una spalla di un bebè animato: lo trova umiliante. E' orgoglioso, arrivista, mantiene una facciata di stupideira ma mostra anche di possedere un acume non da ridere. E' un personaggio più complesso, un po' più dark, decisamente più astuto e in un certo senso adulto. Per i motivi che esporrò più chiaramente qui sotto, il suo amore disperato e incondizionato per Jessica qui raggiunge vette patetiche che non avevo visto neppure nelle soap opera mentre nel film trovavo la loro storia d'amore assolutamente adorabile.
Jessica è decisamente migliore nel film. Ma di parecchio. Nella versione animata il suo cavallo di battaglia era "Io non sono cattiva, è che mi disegnano così", affermazione che si rivelerà verissima. Jessica è innamorata follemente di suo marito anche se è un coniglio dei cartoni e anche se nessun "umano" riesce a capire come sia possibile (mentre ogni donna cartoon invidia LEI! Perchè Roger sa far ridere) ed è una moglie premurosa disposta a dare al marito padellate sulla zucca pur di salvargli la vita. Quello che fa lo fa per lavoro, flirta con Marvin ACME perchè costretta e minacciata, fa la vamp perchè è il suo personaggio. Per l'appunto, perchè la disegnano così. La Jessica del libro è la classica femmina bona e stronza che bada solo ai propri affari. Consapevole del proprio potere sugli uomini (per l'aspetto avvenente da pin up, per l'intelligenza e i modi eleganti e per il fatto che riesce a non parlare tramite balloons ma ad usare una voce molto bassa e sensuale) non esita a prometterla anche al panettiere sotto casa in cambio di una rosetta appena sfornata, convinta che non possa esserci ricompensa migliore delle sue grazie (si offrirà a Eddie che rifiuterà benchè egli sia decisamente attratto da lei, come tutti nel libro. Non tanto per rispetto verso Roger quando per il fatto che non gli piace essere usato, e Jessica l'ha inquadrata subito). Con gli uomini gioca, se li rigira, li stuzzica. Ha comportamenti da diva stizzita come Naomi Campbell. Ha posato per fumetti porno per denaro, e perchè le piaceva anche se gioca a fare la bambolina costretta dalla necessità, o alla vittima drogata e costretta. Cerca uomini danarosi. Sposa Roger la sera stessa in cui si conoscono ma dopo un anno divorzia da lui: lo detesta quel coniglio, lo trova disgustoso, un pusillanime, un idiota, uno stronzo, un pazzo, lei per prima non si rende conto di come possa una donna come lei amare un coniglio. Non vuole vederlo nemmeno in foto e a nulla valgono le suppliche del coniglio disperato che, convinto sempre con una cocciutagine irritante delle buone intenzioni della ex consorte, vuole parlarle per farle "confessare" che è stata costretta a lasciarlo per tornare dal suo ex, Rocco DeGrease. Wolf è chiaramente ironico nel dipingere questa famme fatale da noir, ma il personaggio risulta abbastanza piatto. Jessica nel libro o piange o la promette o racconta cazzate. Più spesso piange perchè ha raccontato cazzate e non ha funzionato prometterla. Non mi dispiace invece che la Jessica de libro si cambi d'abito e cambi pettinatura, le aggiunge un tocco di realismo che alla Jessica del film un po' manca. Anche se sembra un ossimoro parlarne in questi termini.
Eddie Valiant caratterialmente è molto simile in entrambe le versioni. Il film l'ha dotato di una donna con cui flirta adorabilmente ma con cui pare che non si concluderà mai nulla, la barista Dolores (nome omen), e di un background, un fratello ucciso da un cartone che ha giustificato in un film che era rivolto a un pubblico giovane il suo cinismo e il suo odio per i cartoni animati, il suo rifiuto di lavorare con loro. Nel libro non c'è alcun bisogno di una giustificazione per il razzismo, cosa che trovo più realistica, anche se la storia del fratello di Valiant era meravigliosa. Ai vizi dell'Eddie cartaceo viene dato più spazio (gioco d'azzardo e alcolismo, fumo, e anche sesso perchè no?)
Insomma, una lettura che ho trovato veramente deliziosa, appassionante e avvincente, sia come storia in sè (che resta comunque un noir, non vi aspettate particolari introspezioni psicologiche o uno stile manicheo) sia parallelamente ad un film che ho adorato e con cui ha veramente poco in comune.
July 1, 2023
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one of my favorite movies growing up and I didn't realize it was based on a book until much more recently. I couldn't help but compare Who Censored Roger Rabbit? (Roger Rabbit by Gary K. Wolf to the movie adaptation because it's so much different. Out of all of the changes one of the smaller ones that surprised me the most is that it's set in the present for when it was released in 1981 instead of 1947 like in the adaptation. I was also surprised that the toons are primarily in comics rather than in cartoons and that Roger is like 6 feet tall. While the book is a solid read, I definitely prefer the adaptation and I definitely rewatched it shortly after I finished listening to the audiobook.
March 29, 2011
I originally read this shortly after the Disney film came out. As many have said, the only things the book and film have in common are a detective named Eddie Valiant and a Toon named Roger Rabbit, who is accused of killing a human. Roger is married to Jessica Rabbit, a humanoid Toon knockout and he does work with Baby Herman. From there, the stories shake hands and go their separate ways.
I remembered the book being good. Unfortunately, I had a cheap mass-market paperback that fell apart if you looked at it cross-eyed, and it's taken me a long time to track down another copy (silly me, for not thinking of my Kindle sooner!). I actually snagged it yesterday afternoon, sat down to read last night, and finished it before going to bed. I'd forgotten some of the characters so it was a pleasant rediscovery. Definitely worth reading again, and I'm sure I'll come back to it from time to time.
I remembered the book being good. Unfortunately, I had a cheap mass-market paperback that fell apart if you looked at it cross-eyed, and it's taken me a long time to track down another copy (silly me, for not thinking of my Kindle sooner!). I actually snagged it yesterday afternoon, sat down to read last night, and finished it before going to bed. I'd forgotten some of the characters so it was a pleasant rediscovery. Definitely worth reading again, and I'm sure I'll come back to it from time to time.
December 11, 2019
There's a lot going on in this book which inspired one of my favourite movies, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"
The story in the book is very different from the movie, so it really was only used for inspiration. It goes in many different directions at once. I would say it's mostly inspired by The Maltese Falcon. I did have a difficult time following along. The investigation jumped around so much between different clues and characters that I often forgot what it was we were looking for.
This was such a unique idea and I do recommend it to fans of the movie who also like detective books in general.
The story in the book is very different from the movie, so it really was only used for inspiration. It goes in many different directions at once. I would say it's mostly inspired by The Maltese Falcon. I did have a difficult time following along. The investigation jumped around so much between different clues and characters that I often forgot what it was we were looking for.
This was such a unique idea and I do recommend it to fans of the movie who also like detective books in general.
Want to read
February 3, 2023Finding this book, which I couldn’t find at any library in my system, at the used bookstore the day after I finished watching the movie…serendipity.
March 28, 2012
There are some films that you can't help but think "*This* is why there is film. Here's a movie that is so uniquely cinematic that it couldn't ever work as a book." Every time I watch "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" that pops into my mind. The mixture of live-action and animated characters inhabiting the same world is so very... film... I was sure it could never work as a book. So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that, in fact, the movie was based on a book. Well, saying "based on" is a bit strong... call it "inspired by" instead.
When I picked up the book, I honestly expected it to be one of the worst things I would read all year. And while it might be, that will speak more to the outstanding quality of most of the rest of the things I've read, rather than to any failings of the book itself. It was actually a very enjoyable, if very weird, send-up of the hard-boiled detective. Gary K. Wolf (whose name is every bit as cartoonish as Roger's) clearly had a love for the genre, and played with the tropes well. It's a book that takes itself seriously in almost all the right places.
There are some aspects that don't quite work--the last act, in particular, falls apart a little with the "solution" to the murder coming very much out of left field--but, for the most part, this is a mystery about double crosses and violence that takes itself seriously even as half the cast are comic strip characters talking through word balloons.
If you're looking for the light-hearted, goofy fare of the movie, you're in for a surprise. Roger and cast are a lot more grimy here, but it all sort of mostly works. Not everyone's cup of tea, certainly, but worth a look if you're a fan of the genre and looking for something very weird.
When I picked up the book, I honestly expected it to be one of the worst things I would read all year. And while it might be, that will speak more to the outstanding quality of most of the rest of the things I've read, rather than to any failings of the book itself. It was actually a very enjoyable, if very weird, send-up of the hard-boiled detective. Gary K. Wolf (whose name is every bit as cartoonish as Roger's) clearly had a love for the genre, and played with the tropes well. It's a book that takes itself seriously in almost all the right places.
There are some aspects that don't quite work--the last act, in particular, falls apart a little with the "solution" to the murder coming very much out of left field--but, for the most part, this is a mystery about double crosses and violence that takes itself seriously even as half the cast are comic strip characters talking through word balloons.
If you're looking for the light-hearted, goofy fare of the movie, you're in for a surprise. Roger and cast are a lot more grimy here, but it all sort of mostly works. Not everyone's cup of tea, certainly, but worth a look if you're a fan of the genre and looking for something very weird.
December 25, 2015
This book is completely different from the movie it inspired, the movie I've loved since I was a kid and have found layers to appreciate as an adult. It isn't bad, it's just wholly different. I've written in some reviews on here and in other places that in the past few years I've come to terms with the idea of adaptations. Movies and books will never be perfectly similar because adaptations require each to play to the strengths of the medium in which it's in. This, however, is much more than an adaptation. The movie took 80% of the same characters and the thinnest connection to the plot in here and then made its own thing. And that's good, because this book's plot points are quite a bit too convoluted for a movie, especially a mass-market movie.
Getting away from comparisons and to this book itself, it's a nice homage to noir detective novels and the first person voice is pretty fun to read. Detective Valiant's sarcasm and world-weariness are a treat. The mystery is fun to solve and doesn't seem to be poorly written - most of the difficulty in predicting it ahead of time has to do with unreliable witnesses. The world Wolf crafts is also an interesting one of toon/human segregation. There are some analogies to race-based segregation, but nothing that beats you over the head with a moral. Wolf also creates a demented cast of characters to populate the world that make for a fun time as he interrogates them.
Overall, it's a fun read if you're a fan of the noir detective genre and don't expect it to hew too closely to the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Getting away from comparisons and to this book itself, it's a nice homage to noir detective novels and the first person voice is pretty fun to read. Detective Valiant's sarcasm and world-weariness are a treat. The mystery is fun to solve and doesn't seem to be poorly written - most of the difficulty in predicting it ahead of time has to do with unreliable witnesses. The world Wolf crafts is also an interesting one of toon/human segregation. There are some analogies to race-based segregation, but nothing that beats you over the head with a moral. Wolf also creates a demented cast of characters to populate the world that make for a fun time as he interrogates them.
Overall, it's a fun read if you're a fan of the noir detective genre and don't expect it to hew too closely to the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Read
April 3, 2023One of my favorite memories was when my parents went out of town in 1988 and I went to one aunt’s house and my brother went to another. My aunt took me to see Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and we talked about it for years. I’ve seen this movie at least two dozen times, I’ve played the absolutely terrible NES game, and now I’ve read the original book. This is not a novelization, but the book this was adapted from. So reading this novel made me realize who absolutely inspired that movie is.
The book is….not great. It’s hugely inventive and some of the different conceits it creates are great. The toons’ words come up in word clouds (like dialog in comics) and float and eventually collapse. The Roger Rabbit we spend most of our time with is an embodied persona, not the real toon. And what’s really good: the toons are comics, not cartoons, who enact scenes for a photographer to become the Sunday comics.
So those are great, but the execution is pretty bad. The writing is tired, and boring, and the plot drags on with too many twists, and not in a good way. The movie really understood what needed to happen to make this book work on the screen. The biggest choice they make is to set it in the 1940s, as opposed to the novel’s contemporary setting, which is almost an anachronism. The movie realizes that making it a spin off the old Hollywood tropes of post 1950s cinema makes so much more sense.
The book is….not great. It’s hugely inventive and some of the different conceits it creates are great. The toons’ words come up in word clouds (like dialog in comics) and float and eventually collapse. The Roger Rabbit we spend most of our time with is an embodied persona, not the real toon. And what’s really good: the toons are comics, not cartoons, who enact scenes for a photographer to become the Sunday comics.
So those are great, but the execution is pretty bad. The writing is tired, and boring, and the plot drags on with too many twists, and not in a good way. The movie really understood what needed to happen to make this book work on the screen. The biggest choice they make is to set it in the 1940s, as opposed to the novel’s contemporary setting, which is almost an anachronism. The movie realizes that making it a spin off the old Hollywood tropes of post 1950s cinema makes so much more sense.
September 11, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
If I could pick one word to describe my feelings on this book it would be: impressed. I had no idea that the film ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ was based on a book! While I do think the movie does a great job at capturing the essence of the story, the way the book is written is truly remarkable. The author’s voice is so smart & witty, there were moments I was giggling out loud. The pacing & dialogue is everything I love about films of the 30s/40s, and the audiobook narrator executes that & the numerous character voices perfectly. The star of the author’s work is IM👏🏻AGE👏🏻RY👏🏻!! It’s used, like, every other sentence, but it never felt like too much. I found myself looking forward to the way it wove itself into descriptions. Creating this incredibly inventive world is no easy feat & it’s accomplished in a way that makes you really feel immersed in this reality. Even just the way the Toons’ speech bubbles interact with the characters make everything feel that much more believable. I wish that I had felt more connected to any of the characters (I wanted SOMEONE to root for), but I understand that the emphasis was more on the mystery being unraveled & the story’s parody of classic Noir. The only real issue I hold (other than the obvious sexism/racism) is that for a book where animation is a huge player, not a single version of the cover art is even good. Like, come ON!
If I could pick one word to describe my feelings on this book it would be: impressed. I had no idea that the film ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ was based on a book! While I do think the movie does a great job at capturing the essence of the story, the way the book is written is truly remarkable. The author’s voice is so smart & witty, there were moments I was giggling out loud. The pacing & dialogue is everything I love about films of the 30s/40s, and the audiobook narrator executes that & the numerous character voices perfectly. The star of the author’s work is IM👏🏻AGE👏🏻RY👏🏻!! It’s used, like, every other sentence, but it never felt like too much. I found myself looking forward to the way it wove itself into descriptions. Creating this incredibly inventive world is no easy feat & it’s accomplished in a way that makes you really feel immersed in this reality. Even just the way the Toons’ speech bubbles interact with the characters make everything feel that much more believable. I wish that I had felt more connected to any of the characters (I wanted SOMEONE to root for), but I understand that the emphasis was more on the mystery being unraveled & the story’s parody of classic Noir. The only real issue I hold (other than the obvious sexism/racism) is that for a book where animation is a huge player, not a single version of the cover art is even good. Like, come ON!
July 6, 2021
Winifred says: Yes, the movie (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) was inspired by a book.
A hardboiled private detective named Eddie Valiant unexpectedly has one to two days at most to solve a murder. It is a classic Whodunit but for the sheer level of creative concepts, with imaginative twists and turns that keep you turning the pages for more.
If you thought the movie was creative, it's no real surprise as it took the already-genius ideas of the book and dialed it up by 11. There are still flaws (e.g., the characters are generally one layered; who you meet is mostly who you get throughout the story), but it has a unique take in a popular genre with good writing behind it.
Things to Consider:
Even if you've seen the film, give the book a chance as the film is a VERY LOOSE adaptation with only some of the core concepts and character names being carried over.
The book has a very big spoiler in the beginning (and other plot twists later), so tread carefully around it.
This is FAR darker than the film due to:
-The human and Toon relationships are a clear mirror to our own history of racial segregation as there are labeled water fountains and "human only" signs.
-blatant murders (and attempted murders)
-Other topics for a mature audience (18+?)
A hardboiled private detective named Eddie Valiant unexpectedly has one to two days at most to solve a murder. It is a classic Whodunit but for the sheer level of creative concepts, with imaginative twists and turns that keep you turning the pages for more.
If you thought the movie was creative, it's no real surprise as it took the already-genius ideas of the book and dialed it up by 11. There are still flaws (e.g., the characters are generally one layered; who you meet is mostly who you get throughout the story), but it has a unique take in a popular genre with good writing behind it.
Things to Consider:
Even if you've seen the film, give the book a chance as the film is a VERY LOOSE adaptation with only some of the core concepts and character names being carried over.
The book has a very big spoiler in the beginning (and other plot twists later), so tread carefully around it.
This is FAR darker than the film due to:
-The human and Toon relationships are a clear mirror to our own history of racial segregation as there are labeled water fountains and "human only" signs.
-blatant murders (and attempted murders)
-Other topics for a mature audience (18+?)
May 19, 2020
I’ve been wanting to read this for awhile. The movie is one of my all time favorites. The book, besides the names and occupations, is basically a complete different story.
The character of Carol was by far my favorite. I got excited every time one of her chapters came around. She had a lot of depth and great development. Not saying the others didn’t, cause they did, but she was my favorite.
Spoilers:
It was hard to separate my feelings for Jessica, Roger, And Eddie since they are so different but once I was able to I really enjoyed this book. I really didn’t expect Roger to be a murderer and then for him to turn to dust on the last page. The genie was a little odd, still trying to swallow that.
From a wannabe playwright/screenwriter perspective it is so fascinating to see how far minds can go from the source material when adapting a book. I’m excited to read more books by Mr. Wolf including the rest of the Roger Rabbit series...which if he’s dead I’m curious on how he comes back in the future books!
The character of Carol was by far my favorite. I got excited every time one of her chapters came around. She had a lot of depth and great development. Not saying the others didn’t, cause they did, but she was my favorite.
Spoilers:
It was hard to separate my feelings for Jessica, Roger, And Eddie since they are so different but once I was able to I really enjoyed this book. I really didn’t expect Roger to be a murderer and then for him to turn to dust on the last page. The genie was a little odd, still trying to swallow that.
From a wannabe playwright/screenwriter perspective it is so fascinating to see how far minds can go from the source material when adapting a book. I’m excited to read more books by Mr. Wolf including the rest of the Roger Rabbit series...which if he’s dead I’m curious on how he comes back in the future books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2020
Maybe not the best written book ever, but definitely a fun one. I knew the characters but never seen the movie, so the story was new for me and I highly enjoyed it. Liked that it was set very much in reality but had some odd bits thrown in to make it unique and so entertaining. Really want to see the movie now
July 28, 2022
In order to read this book you have to completely dissociate it from the movie. The concept is similar but characters, personalities, etc. vastly different.
I also find mystery stories tend to have a slow build up which can be tough to power through. I do recommend this book because it is very well written and the story is still good.
I also find mystery stories tend to have a slow build up which can be tough to power through. I do recommend this book because it is very well written and the story is still good.
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