Oh, God!

by Avery Corman

Vintage movie tie-in paperback

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Fantasy, Novels

149 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Avery Corman (born November 28, 1935, in the Bronx, New York) is an American novelist.

He is the author of the novel Kramer vs. Kramer (1977) which created a sea change in attitudes toward child custody with the public and in the courts in the United States and internationally. Robert Benton wrote the screenplay and directed the movie of the same name Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. It won 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screen Play. A previous Corman novel, Oh, God! (1971) was the basis for the movie comedy Oh, God!, screenplay by Larry Gelbart, starring George Burns and John Denver. His other novels include The Old Neighborhood (1980), 50 (1987), Prized Possessions (1991), The Big Hype (1992), A Perfect Divorce (2004), and The Boyfriend from Hell (2006).

In a characteristic assessment of Corman's writing, critic Stefan Kanfer said in Time magazine about the novel, 50, "Avery Corman has a literary gift for dialogue and predicament. Sealed in a time capsule, 50 could tell future generations more about contemporary middle-aged mores than a library of sociological theses."

Foreign language editions of Corman's novels have been published throughout the world. He is the author of articles and essays in a wide number of publications, including The New York Times for which he has written for various sections of the newspaper.

He turned his attention to writing for the stage and collaborated with the composer Cy Coleman on a musical, The Great Ostrovsky, for which Corman wrote the book and also co-wrote the lyrics with Mr. Coleman. It was produced in regional theater in Philadelphia in 2004, a project curtailed with the passing of Mr. Coleman that year.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, amusing read - the kind that is published all to rarely anymore. You know the title and the basic plot from the John Denver/George Burns film, which uses the broad-stroke plot but most of the fine detail was altered so reading presents a mostly new - and arguably better - experience.

[Michael Stonecipher · Rating 2 out of 5]

idk. enjoyed George Burns in the movie as a kid. book not so much.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story focuses on a down to earth store manager who is chosen by God to spread His message, in spite of disbelief and doubt of the media, religious experts, and his own wife. God appears in a variety of occupations to keep the store mgr. in line about what he wants. I found this is to be a warm, sometimes comical way of trying to bring God back to us humans!

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous look at what God may really be like and what he has in store for all of us.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

The George Burns/John Denver movie was better.

[Jennifer Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could have been written today. I found it to be funny and important. I am so glad I read it.

[Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounded up

A pleasant enough read with a 1970s sensibility. I didn't find it laugh-out-loud funny, but I appreciate its lightness, nonetheless. Today's version would be far darker.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous at points. You could definitely tell John Denver was not who Avery Corman had in mind for the movie version.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

So you remember that movie starring George Burns as the Almighty and John Denver as the grocery store clerk he talks to? Well like most decent movies, it was a book first. Turns out John Denver's character was actually a Jewish writer, not a Christian grocer. There's some other differences, too. But a great read. It's a wonderful send-up of the religious establishment, which basically denies God's existence in spite of the fact that he is selling hot dogs in New York (among other things he does for amusement). Also so intriguing dialogue with God about his role in world affairs and the beliefs that humans have.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books and one that was not done justice in the film version (although George Burns was inspired casting). In the book the protagonist is a Jewish freelance journalist in NY, which is why God takes on the guise of old Jewish uncle. Very funny and yet it has something to say. Highly recommended.

[Debbie Carnahan-Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and thought provoking read that helped me time travel to the 70s when this film was out.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 2008 review:

"V. funny and intervesting little take on modern religion."

[Morris Nelms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, and more profound than you'd expect. The movie did not do it justice. Movies seldom do.

[Tok · Rating 3 out of 5]

ตลกดี ส่วนหนึ่งเราว่าตลกด้วยเพราะสำนวนแปลที่ค่อนข้างโบราณด้วย 555

[Nancy Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read.

Not being Jewish may have dampened my enjoyment of this book. It kept my attention and I finished it in two days.

[Coy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Although this is set in the 70's it's just as relevant today-Read it and think!