The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove

I'm liking everything I read my CM. This one had me laughing, intrigue, and more laughing throughout. If you want a quick read and a silly book..this one is for you.

I had a day to rest after a hiking trip before my flight home. Looking though the books available, the color of the spine caught my eye then the title caused me to bring it off the self. I always choose a few pages to read to get a sense of the writing style. It was easy to read (no flower-y prose) so I took it to my room. Read through half the book in one setting. Couldn't take it with, so ordered it here when I got home. This is a fun, off-the-wall book that has quirky characters and a unique story.

Although mostly fantasy, Moore frequently injects excerpts from current science - when the friendly "sea monster" predator gets close to his prey, he exudes a pheromone chemical which hypnotizes his victims into a range of strange behaviors - varying from loss of normal vigilance to charismatic attraction to extreme horniness. Two of the above three are used by parasites in real life in their efforts to gain entry into their next host. Meanwhile, we are treated to stereotyped outlandish human behavior described in hilarious fashion:"So Catfish strolled a rolling Delta moonwalk of a stroll (redolent of sassafras and jive) into Pine Cove Drug and Gift, and the four blue-haired chicken women behind the counter nearly tumbled over each other trying to get to the back room. Imagine it: a person of the Dark persuasion in their midst. What if he should ask for a vial of Afro-Sheen or some other ethnically oriented product with which they were totally unfamiliar? Why, the smoke alarms would melt, screaming like dying witches, when their collective minds steamed to a stop. Do we look like thrill-seekers? Wasn't it enough that we had to put up that sign reading NO HABLO ESPANOL and acknowledge the existence of 30% of the population, even in the negative? No, we shall err on the side of safety, thank you, and in lieu of sand in which to bury our heads, we shall head to the back room...Catfish leaned over the counter to where he could see the row of eyes peering out of the crack and said, 'I be back in a few minutes my own self, ladies. I needs some medicine what can help me with this huge black d--k I has to carry around. The weight of it like to break my back...'"Winston turned and scowled at Catfish. "Was that really necessary?""A man gots to look after his reputation," Catfish said.This is my 3rd Moore book, and I enjoy his style. His character development is excellent, if a little earthy, and one grows to appreciate the extravagant neurotic nuances of each personality. There is only one (albeit large) reality stretch, involving the discovery of the main character, a sort of dinosaur. He has the already above mentioned interesting ability to attract victims when he is hungry (all the time), and when necessary can camouflage himself. I was right up there with him as he changed colors with the forest environment, but definitely surprised when he managed to fit right in amongst a bunch of mobile homes. The high point of the book occurred when he was sexually attracted to a gasoline carrying 18-wheeler. Highly recommended for the Chris Moore enthusiast.

One of the very best books I have ever read--over 20 times so far! When I am tired, frustrated, depressed, or just need a laugh, I go to The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove; and my entire outlook on life changes to a happier view. This is Christopher Moore's best. I have bought many, many extra copies to give to friends. Highly, highly recommend it. However, it is not for children. Just fun-loving adults.

I enjoyed this book. I read it quickly and with a considerable amount of snickering. This is the perfect book to read if you want humor and a mostly happy ending. Christopher Moore is a quirky and hilarious author

Christopher Moore has a fluid and yet compact writing style that is descriptive enough to flow swiftly without tedium. What separates him from the rest of the pack are the fantastical events he unfolds in his comedic tales.A great Sea Beast awakens from his slumber, feeling a bit randy and ready to emerge. When he finds a tanker truck refueling at a gas station in Pine Cove, he mistakes its purring engines for a come-on signal from a female. However, mounting a gas tanker may have dire consequences, and our Sea Beast is badly burned in the process.He makes his way to a nearby trailer park, where he alters his outward appearance to look like just another trailer while he heals from his tanker encounter. He parks himself next to Molly Michon's trailer, an ex B-Movie queen with mental problems. She is the only one who knows the trailer is alive, and promptly names him Steve.The town of Pine Cove is a small, usually quiet tourist town, until Bess Leander, seemingly the queen of domestic bliss, commits suicide. Local psychiatrist Val Riordan blames herself for not paying enough attention to her clients, and promptly takes her entire patient list off of their antidepressants, while stoner constable Theophilius Crowe realizes there is something suspicious about Bess's death and decides to investigate despite the warnings of the county sheriff to just let it go.`Lust Lizard' is rich with colorful characters, fantastical delusions, a crusty bartender, some wonderful tie-in's to Moore's `Practical Demonkeeping', blues music, and a tasty peek into the mind of a lustful Sea Beast named Steve. And when Steve's feelings of lust bleed out into the human population, feelings explode into passionate actions. While through all of this, Theo must not only discover why everyone is behaving strangely, but what is behind the death of Bess Leander.One of the things I loved about `Lust Lizard' was Moore's addition of a character named Gabe Fenton, who is a scientist doing studies of the rat colonies around Pine Cove. Some of the similarities between Gabe's rats and the human colonies that surround us are worthy of pondering, comparing the behavior of one species as a herd to our own was very tongue in cheek and yet hilarious once noted and accepted.All in all, The Lust Lizard Of Melancholy Cove is a very funny romp into the human mind and the antics of an ancient creature named Steve. A worthwhile read. Enjoy!

I had read 'Practical Demon Keeping' (several times) years ago, and to my lasting shame, I did not know there was more from the same 'pen'. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove was one of the best, and funniest, books I have read in years. I especially love the way Christopher Moore breaks each 'chapter' up into sub-chapters specific to an individual, that goes to making the whole complete. Never a dull moment, and so many twists and turns it was mesmerising! I am not going to buy any more of his books for a while, a) to keep the 'vibe' fresh, and (b) because I cannot trust myself not to read them cover to cover in one sitting as I did with this one. Although, having said that, even the best intentions are thwarted by the works of an outstanding author, and I have ordered two others in spite of myself.

Beyond surreal; and laugh aloud funny. Something for everyone, from intelligent dogs to zombies, including hurricanes, deep sea leviathans large enough to make the kraken back off, as well as murder most foul, most accidental and as far as can be judged most deserved. There are also devils and their keepers as well as innocents and of course confuseds. Don't read this until you have read book 1 in this (so far) trilogy then read book 3. Somehow (that is, with the help of some magic) it all works out in the end - but that does not exclude the possibility (and hope) of a fourth book to be added to the trilogy.

I've recently been introduced to the work of Christopher Moore, and have thoroughly enjoyed all I've read so far.The, characters are flawed yet sympathetic, the plot fast-paced enough to make me read it a little too quickly, and Moore's sense of the ridiculous appeals to me enormously.The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, is, in my opinion, nearly as good as A Dirty Job, and that is high praise!

Another belly laugh book. If you like eccentric, unbelievable daft adventures which are written brilliantly and want to cheer yourself up I definitely recommend. So silly I genuinely laughed out loud.

This chap is nothing like pratchett but the sense of ridiculous hits the spot and the books are well written - buy one woul dbe my advice and read it for yourself - I intend to read them all...