'Practical Demonkeeping' by Christopher Moore is a humorous and quirky novel set in the town of Pine Cove, California, where a man named Travis is stuck with a demon named Catch, who has a penchant for eating people. The story follows Travis as he navigates the challenges of being a demon keeper and his attempts to rid himself of Catch. Along the way, a colorful cast of characters from Pine Cove get involved in the mayhem, leading to hilarious and unpredictable outcomes. Moore's writing style blends humor, fantasy, and mythology, creating a fun and fast-paced read that mixes dark humor with absurdity.

The book combines elements of fantasy, mythology, and humor into a unique narrative that keeps readers engaged once they delve into the meat of the story. Despite being Moore's debut novel, 'Practical Demonkeeping' introduces readers to the wacky citizens of Pine Cove and their interactions with the demon Catch, offering a light-hearted and entertaining read. The plot revolves around Travis's efforts to free himself from his demon companion, with the story picking up speed midway through and incorporating elements of the supernatural, quirky characters, and humorous interactions that make for an enjoyable reading experience.

Characters:

The characters range from the reluctant demonkeeper, Travis, to the gluttonous demon, Catch, and a host of quirky townsfolk, all contributing to the novel's humor and chaotic interactions.

Writing/Prose:

The author's style blends humor and absurdity, utilizing a conversational tone with brief, engaging scenes that set a comedic atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Travis O'Hearn, a former seminarian stuck with a demon named Catch, as they navigate their chaotic existences in the quirky town of Pine Cove, with comedic and supernatural twists.

Setting:

The story unfolds in Pine Cove, an eccentric tourist town in California, adding to the whimsical and absurd nature of the events.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and engaging, propelling the story quickly towards a chaotic climax, though some moments may feel scattered.

The Breeze blew into San Junipero in the shotgun seat of Billy Winston’s Pinto wagon. The Pinto lurched dangerously from shoulder to centerline, the result of Billy trying to roll a joint one-handed w...

Notes:

The book features Travis O'Hearn, who accidentally summons a demon named Catch during World War I.

Travis has been trying to control Catch for 80 years while seeking a way to free himself from the demon.

Pine Cove, the setting of the book, is a fictional small tourist town on the California coast.

The town's residents, including Augustus Brine and Mavis, play significant roles in the story despite their initial disbelief in demons.

The story mixes elements of horror, comedy, and romance, with unique characters like a genie and a giant owl.

Catch, the demon, has a taste for human flesh but is mostly limited to eating criminals due to Travis's control.

Christopher Moore's writing style combines dark humor with absurdity and quirky character development.

The book is Moore's debut novel, showcasing his trademark humor and storytelling that would become more refined in later works.

It includes various themes such as guilt, redemption, and the struggles of small-town life amidst supernatural chaos.

Readers have described the narrative as chaotic, with a blend of multiple character perspectives and subplots.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, demonic consumption of humans, and some mild language.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance in the story, contributing to the character development and plot.

From The Publisher:

In Christopher Moore's ingenious debut novel, we meet one of the most memorably mismatched pairs in the annals of literature. The good-looking one is one-hundred-year-old ex-seminarian and "roads" scholar Travis O'Hearn. The green one is Catch, a demon with a nasty habit of eating most of the people he meets. Behind the fake Tudor facade of Pine Cove, California, Catch sees a four-star buffet. Travis, on the other hand, thinks he sees a way of ridding himself of his toothy traveling companion. The winos, neo-pagans, and deadbeat Lotharios of Pine Cove, meanwhile, have other ideas. And none of them is quite prepared when all hell breaks loose.

Ratings (14)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (30):

Read It (14)
Want To Read (10)
Not Interested (6)

What can you read after
Practical Demonkeeping?

See the list (100 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Practical Demonkeeping

Christopher Moore

Book 1 in the series:Pine Cove