Book obtained from: Library, audio
book [2012]
Description: Philip
Horkman is a pet shop owner, family man, and kids' soccer referee.
Jeffrey Peckerman is a forensic plumber [LOL yes I checked, it really
is a profession] with an attitude. They have a “slight”
disagreement which results in them being pursued by the police,
terrorists, revolutionaries, bears, and assorted other bad guys.
Plot: The book is a
farce - an exaggerated and improbable comedy. I've read all of Dave
Barry's non-fiction, but this is my first time reading his fiction.
After an initial disagreement at a kids' soccer game, the MCs [love those names] end up
pursued by the police, mistaken for terrorists, and they either
encounter or cause an escalating set of situations which get more and
more improbable. Occasional chapters are television news reports and
newspaper articles. The final situation is supposed to be the most
improbable, but oddly it appears the authors did have a prophetic
vision because one of the final improbabilities is actually
historically accurate here in 2015. I imagine the authors had a WTF
moment when that situation actually occurred.
Characterization: The
characters are well-developed. Horkman is a true straight man, loves
his family, good father, etc. Peckerman is wild and crazy, also a
family man but makes you wonder about his sanity. Definitely
reminiscent of the Odd Couple. They don't live together, but they
end up relying on each other to get themselves out of their various
predicaments.
Setting: South Florida
and several other states and countries. The descriptions were good, I was able to
picture every scene without it being over-described.
Other: The book is
narrated by the authors, alternating telling the story from their
character's point of view. Dave Barry used a lot of F-bombs, which
was definitely in character but sometimes I thought was a bit much.
It ended just when I was getting tired of the slapstick, so it was
the perfect length, possibly one chapter too long. The end wrapped
up all the loose ends in a very humorous way.
Overall: Laugh-out-loud
funny. Sometimes a bit too over-the-top improbable. I would read
more by these authors.
Grade: B+
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