Fool

Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Christopher Moore admits that he has been accused of awkward prose, and I am one in a long line of finger pointers. There is no mistaking his singular diction, a style I liken to tripping over pebbles. The errors are not huge, but the verbage a little ungainly. In Moore's new book Fool, his bubbly delivery is entertaining. This re-telling of King Lear is not a new adaptation of Shakespeare's masterpiece, and Moore does not advise a comparison. In this parody of Shakespeare's King Lear, the Black Fool, named Pocket for his small stature, presents himself as author and actor - a sarcastic, horny, but all around noble and loyal jester to King Lear. King Lear is dying, and his failing health turns his thoughts to mortality, and in haste, he gives away his kingdom to two selfish daughters who, one fateful night, profess their love and devotion in boisterous display. When his third and youngest daughter fails to do the same, she is banished. Thus sets the stage for a dark tale told in a light-hearted way. Moore has taken the framework of King Lear and used it to determine how much mid-century shagging can be done during a five act show against the backdrop of bloody tragedy, love, deceit, forgery, war, bad marriages and regrettable children. Moore is unstoppable when it comes to comedic and bizarre twists throughout his narratives and Fool is no exception. Fool takes ultimate delight and pride in the sarcastic humiliation of its players. Finally, Moore leaves no ties undone and no hearts broken; you either die or live happily ever after. Overall, Fool is another fun book in Moores repertoire.


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