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Fool

Book 1 in the series:The Fool

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Christopher Moore's 'Fool' is a comedic retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear from the perspective of the Fool, Pocket. The story follows Pocket as he navigates the treacherous court of King Lear, resorting to assassinations and starting wars to thwart the evil schemes of Lear's daughters. Moore's writing style in 'Fool' is characterized by its bawdy humor, irreverent tone, and liberal use of vulgarity, creating a unique and entertaining take on the classic tragedy.

The plot of 'Fool' is filled with witty dialogue, unique characters, and fantastical elements, all presented through Moore's trademark satirical lens. The novel blends Shakespearean themes with modern humor, offering a fresh and humorous perspective on the original play. Despite taking liberties with the plot, 'Fool' delivers a rollicking and entertaining story that keeps readers engaged with its absurdity and clever twists.

Characters:

Characters are exaggerated, comically flawed, and embody a mix of Shakespearean archetypes and original creations that contribute to the story's humor.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by an irreverent humor filled with vulgarity, clever wordplay, and dialogue that reflects a Shakespearean influence, making it both amusing and insightful.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a humorous and bawdy retelling of King Lear, focusing on the Fool, Pocket, as he navigates the resulting chaos from the King’s poor decisions and familial betrayals.

Setting:

The novel is set in a medieval England reminiscent of Shakespeare's time, complete with castles and political machinations, intertwined with comedic elements.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick and lively, maintaining reader engagement through short chapters and seamless transitions between comedic and serious moments.

Notes:

The novel is a comedic retelling of Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear.
It is told from the perspective of the King's Fool, named Pocket.
The book includes a mix of bawdy humor, including sexual references and profanity.
Moore's writing is full of clever dialogue, and he is praised for his character development.
The story involves King Lear dividing his kingdom among his daughters based on their professions of love for him.
Pocket becomes a central character, influencing events in the court and beyond.
There's a mix of characters from different Shakespearean plays, including witches from Macbeth.
Moore uses footnotes for humorous and educational commentary throughout the story.
The book was well-received and noted for its irreverent tone and absurdity.
Readers reported laughing out loud while reading, making it a fun and entertaining experience.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Fool include high levels of vulgarity and profanity, explicit sexual content, and themes of violence and betrayal inherent in its Shakespearean roots.

Has Romance?

Fool contains a medium level of romance, primarily involving the relationships between Pocket and various characters, including romantic subplots.

From The Publisher:

"Hilarious, always inventive, this is a book for all, especially uptight English teachers, bardolaters, and ministerial students."

-Dallas Morning News

Fool-the bawdy and outrageous New York Times bestseller from the unstoppable Christopher Moore-is a hilarious new take on William Shakespeare's King Lear…as seen through the eyes of the foolish liege's clownish jester, Pocket. A rousing tale of "gratuitous shagging, murder, spanking, maiming, treason, and heretofore unexplored heights of vulgarity and profanity," Fool joins Moore's own Lamb, Fluke, The Stupidest Angel, and You Suck! as modern masterworks of satiric wit and sublimely twisted genius, prompting Carl Hiassen to declare Christopher Moore "a very sick man, in the very best sense of the word."

Ratings (21)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (8)
Liked It (5)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (40):

Read It (26)
Want To Read (8)
Not Interested (6)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
2 months

I do enjoy a Shakespeare retailing from time to time and this one didn't disappoint. A bit ridiculous and a bit of fun. Have tried or read some other books by Christopher Moore before but haven't enjoyed the humour, but this one worked well for me and I'm in the mood to try to read more. Not sure if I have read a full book of his before. Maybe I have and there is a 4 stars book hiding somewhere in my reviews that I forgot. I don't know if it's necessary to know a bit of Shakespeares plays and such to enjoy it but I don't think it's hurt to know a bit.

 
 
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