The Book of Eli by Sam Moffie - BLOG TOUR/BOOK REVIEW

Title:  The Book of Eli
Author: Sam Moffie
Publisher: Mill City Press
Publish Date: January, 2010
Paperback, 156 pages
ISBN 10: 193610735X
ISBN 13: 9781936107353

GoodReads description:  Eli Canaan is a believer. And, like many, he believes himself to be a principled man. Well, for the most part anyway. But, after a series of misteps, sins, some would say, Eli's life is suddenly and unexpectedly altered forever. A spurned wife, a gypsy, a hex and spiritual intervention may all be at the root of Eli's unexpected, deep and earnest introspection.

My Take:  

Eli Canaan, married to Abigail, is a good guy.  He works, takes care of his family, and doesn't steal (much).  As a matter of fact, the list of all of the good things he does takes two pages of the book. 

But there is one thing that seems to trump all of the good things about Eli:  he cheats on his wife ... a lot ... as a matter of fact, he may even be a sex addict.

Abigail knows about her philandering husband, and one day, tired of being cuckolded (yes, I use that for both men and women), she consults a gypsy for a spell to make her husband stay faithful.

Meanwhile, Eli is busy at the hotel with Mary, also married, yet still Eli's main side squeeze (they get together at least twice a week).  While at the "climax" of their illicit meeting, Eli cries out and when he opens his eyes, he is in a different place.

The first voice he hears is that of Orson Wells, who clues him in on where he is.  As we follow Eli around Heaven with his guide Julius AKA Groucho Marx, meeting figures as diverse as Ayn Rand and Freud, Eli figures out that he has been picked for a mission.  He doesn't know what the mission IS, but he learns a lot about how Heaven really works through discussions with the people he visits.  He also finds out that both God AND Jesus have a sense of humor, which is why they picked him for this mission.

I would describe this book as "smart satire", filled with one-liners delivered with zing, Eli's initial obsession with "screwing", and even some people who you wouldn't think would make it to heaven.

This book will not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is witty and unique and at times quite zany.  I just kept picturing old-style comedians on stage, complete with hats and cigars, as I read it.

Writing Purists:  This book could have used a bit more careful editing, as I noticed some typos, missing and misplaced punctuation, and a couple of syntax errors.  It is not loaded down with these types of errors, however.  The writing itself is good.

I always notice these in any book and if I see more than ten, I point it out in my review, because I am the kind of reader that gets "jarred out" of a story when I see them.

Sensitive Reader:  Quite a few f-bombs and sexual content - this book is likely not for you. 

QUOTES: 

Eli sent a thought to the Almighty:  I don't know what I have been chosen for, but can't you choose someone else?  There is no way I am qualified for whatever it is you have chosen me for, unless it is going back to Earth to be a horny tomcat.  

Eli was disappointed that Moses didn't look like Charlton Heston (so was Moses).

"But of course.  Get in trouble and summon Ethan Allen," the Almighty mentioned.
"The furniture guy?" replied a surprised Eli.
"I see you were one of the ones asleep in history class," a disappointed God said to Eli. 

Book Rating:  4.0 out of 5 stars

Visit the book's website

BUY IT:  At Amazon, and other on-and-off-line booksellers.

This title is part of my Fall Into Reading 2010 Challenge list.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this title through Pump Up Your Book to facilitate my review. I received no other compensation and I was not required to write a positive review.