Shakespeare for Squirrels

Knowing this book was a surprise in the planning of this series, I went into it unsure of how it would fit into the idea that this was supposed to be a trilogy. But now having finished it, I can't imagine going into the next book without knowing the information of this one.

Tamsyn is a master of sentence crafting. The poetic emotion dripping from the words had me lost between grief and love, pulling my heart in every direction. Even the scenes that would be info dumping by any other author are beautifully strung together leaving me on edge for the next paragraph. The way the characters are body swapping / sharing, with zero weirdness of wondering who is who is masterful. I am in awe of how each personality is crafted. The meanings woven show more into the lines even when Nona is in the dark on the past. Ugh. It's pure magic and makes me weak just contemplating how amazing Tamsyn is. Seriously going to be one of the greatest of our time.

Nona is nothing like Giedion and Harrow, but at the same time it is every thing like the previous two books. I adored and wanted more of every aspect of this story. I loved getting a view of 'what if' these ultimate badasses were living all domestic for a bit. It's whimsical with a touch of gothic thriller written in.

The first part of the book takes you on a fairy tale ride into Nona's child like mind, while the last part of the book is back to necromancy goodness and on with the series plotline. It's shocking and left me wishing I had waited to read it because now I'm just dreaming of the fourth books release and wow.

Also, let's just take a minute to talk about how well Tamsyn builds characters. The fluidness of writing in every time of personality, gender and make up of each person no matter how small they are to the plot is so fantastic. The description and world build made me feel like I walked the streets along side Nona. I could rave about this book forever.

If you enjoy series with multiple strings, many POVs and hidden meanings, deeply complex plots with twists you'll probably miss the first read through you're going to love The Locked Tomb.

Also, how can anyone resist the charm of lesbian necromancers? show less

Pocket of Dog Snogging finds himself shipwrecked on the shores of Sort-Of-Not-Really-Athens in the middle of yet another Shakespeare play, and he skillfully muddles through the even-more-convoluted-than-Shakespeare-made-it plot, as he usually does.

I adore this character (I have such a soft spot for tricksters), and I adore Moore’s style. He completely dismantles AMND and scotch tapes it back together, but in the best way possible.

Moore, Christopher. Shakespeare for Squirrels. Fool No. 3. William Morrow, 2020.
If you liked the first two books in this series, Fool and The Serpent of Venice, there is no way you won’t enjoy what Christopher Moore does to A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Shakespeare for Squirrels. You see, Pocket has been shipwrecked near a mythical Athens just in time to help solve the murder of Robin Goodfellow. Of course, there is a lot of shagging with fairies, and somehow Bottom’s play gets all mixed up with the play in Hamlet, and, well, it is just the kind of dog’s breakfast we love. And, as you might suspect, there is always a bloody ghost. One of the funniest bits in the novel is the Afterword in which Moore tells us how the squirrels got show more into A Midsummer Night’s Dream and why Pocket never got to San Francisco. Ah well, maybe next time. show less

When I saw that the latest installment of the adventures of Pocket, Fool extraordinaire, were set to be based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream (my most favouritest of Shakespeares) I was equal parts excited and nervous. Excited for a new hilarious adventure, but nervous that Moore would wreak havoc on the already chaotic romp through the Athenian forest… I did enjoy reading the story, but as anyone who’s actually read A Midsummer Night’s Dream knows, it doesn’t really need anymore ridiculous scenarios - it’s got plenty, and then some! In a way, that’s kind of Pocket’s deal (be ridiculous throughout and yet have everything work out in the end), but as I was reading I often thought to myself why do we need to be THIS show more ridiculous and could they maybe tone it down just a touch. Considering that I liked Moore’s take on the Merchant of Venice slightly less than Pocket’s origin story (Fool), maybe it’s that I prefer singular perfect stories from Moore and everything afterwards seems like a slightly cheaper imitation? Who knows, but at least we got another fun adventure with Pocket and co! show less

Shakespeare for Squirrels is Christopher Moore’s latest madcap adventure for his infamous character, Pocket, previously employed in Fool and Serpent of Venice. As in these other novels, Moore inserts his egotistical and raucous character into the beloved works of the Bard, thereby creating irreverent versions of the plays as seen through Pocket’s “outsider” viewpoint. For the uninitiated, Moore’s hijacking of the plot can at first be unsettling, but those who have experienced his skill with satire will recognize his true respect and knowledge of the source material. This iteration takes on one of Shakespeare’s most accessible works, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which already has a fair share of fantasy and bawdy humor. Moore show more amps up the action by adding an infiltrating Pocket to the cast list—hijacking the well-known events with his trademark twisted and witty commentary. Pocket, a roving Fool, arrives on the scene after being shipwrecked along with his apprentice and a monkey (picked up in from the earlier novels). After being resuscitated by fairies, Pocket is drawn into an intricate drama that involves, among other things: a group of inept amateur actors, pompous mythical beings, unnatural love triangles, dizzying court intrigue, silly revenge plots and faulty magic. Moore’s also weaves in a mystery for good measure. Pocket needs to navigate within the already frantic events to discover who killed Puck (a central mischief maker from the original play) and in order to set his imprisoned apprentice free. Moore, in typical form, tosses in some absurd details and complications, the addition of squirrels being only one such example. Shakespeare for Squirrels has moments that may confuse some readers, with character names that closely resemble each other and an assumption of knowledge that not all may possess. Those who persevere will be rewarded by receiving clarification in a concluding monologue from Rumor, a recurring addition who serves as a “summation/omniscient” character. Truly hilarious at times and cringeworthy at others, Moore demonstrates once again his deserved reputation as an accomplished satirist. Re-reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream and/or the first two books in the Pocket series is highly recommended before starting this new release. While most readers will find much to enjoy in Moore’s latest cheeky dip into our sacred literary canon, longtime fans and those well-versed in the original Shakespeare will derive the greatest pleasure.

Thanks to the author, William Morrow and Edelweiss for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. show less

Moore (the "scrofulous scribbler of unscrupulous satire") has a fine way with a Shakespearean insult in this light-footed and loving take on A Midsummer Night's Dream with a murder mystery thrown in. Merveilleux--"in perfect fucking French."

A bit frustrating trying to keep up with all the characters, but that frustration comes straight from The Bard himself, so Moore was simply being true to his source. Yes, it has that raunchy type of humor that Moore seems to delight in, but the humor that comes from downright silliness and the repetition of silliness (and his apparent love for squirrels), well, that's one of the reasons I keep reading his books. Onto Noir and the Van Gogh book...