Practical Jean (edition 2011)

For fans of black comedy, this novel is just about perfect. Of course, black comedy doesn't appeal to everyone; certainly, it did not appeal to me when I was younger. Now, however, I find that I quite enjoy dark humor. Basically, if you find the description to be amusing and want to read more, then you'll quite enjoy the book.

Jean, of course, is crazy. What else could one possibly expect of someone stuck with the last name of 'Horemarsh?' Cole does a great job of making her brand of craziness believable. He sets up that this idea and her hardness is not coming from nowhere. Her past enables her to do what most people, even those who agreed with her that it would be a mercy killing, would never be able to do.

The cast of characters is lively and quirky, each one providing elements of humor. Here's a sample of the kind of dark humor you can expect: one of her friends betrays her, and as punishment, she does not have the honor of being killed. As I said, dark humor. If you think that's awesome, do yourself a favor and read this!

P.S. Before you start thinking Jean was onto something, please let me recommend instead Natalie's (one of Jean's friends) brand of friendship: "What says 'love' like a chocolate cupcake?" ( )

A dark-yet-light gentle satire about a middle aged middle class woman, slightly unhinged after the death of her own mother, who becomes driven to provide a sweet death for her friends. As a gift to them. This is black black and fun ( )

I've always loved genre mash-ups, so I had to read chick lit/serial killer fiction. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Longer review later. ( )

The story of a woman who 'saves' her friends from the horrors of aging by going on a killing spree... rather too dark for me to see more than a few glimmers of humour, so it didn't really work for me as a black comedy. But an interesting read that broadened my horizons. ( )

Jean Horemarsh has just returned to living with her husband after three months spent caring for her mother as she died of cancer. After watching her mother die, Jean is convinced no one should have to suffer the indignities of aging and illness like her mother did—and she, Jean Horemarsh, will take it upon herself to give each of her friends one final, perfect moment . . . and then, one by one, kill them.

The 2011 winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, Practical Jean is wickedly funny and thought-provoking.

Read this if: you appreciate irony, or a darker shade of humour.
4½ stars ( )