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Holy Conglomerate What In Gods Name? (2000)

by Simon Rich(Favorite Author)

3.66 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

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review 1: I had high hopes for Simon Rich's first novel. His collections Ant Farm and Free-Range Chickens are both excellent. What in God's Name is at best sporadically funny, and occasionally goes for a laugh at the expense of the clinically depressed. Maybe if I enjoyed the humor of awkwardness more I would have better enjoyed this book.The plot is that God has declared the human project a failure and plans to bring it to an end. Two low ranking angels try to change his mind. God makes a bet with the angels that he will spare humanity if they can get two socially awkward introverts to kiss before the end of the month. Naturally the relationship of the two angels parallels the two awkward humans. The core of the story is basically a Romance novel about an awkward couple play... moreing matchmaker for an even more awkward couple.The best parts of the novel are the scenes with God. Rich depicts God as a CEO who has completely checked-out and cares about nothing but beer and golf. God seems like a decent guy who is way over his head in a job too big for anyone to do. I wish Rich had focused on God and Heaven Inc. as a religious satire rather than segueing into a marginally funny romance.
review 2: As a fan of vaguely sci-fi comedy, I knew going in that this book was going to be fun. What I didn’t anticipate was how quickly the pages melted through my fingers (and this coming from someone who reads like Dragonforce plays guitar [quickly]). The book centers around an angel’s last-ditch attempt to save the earth from demolition by a God – CEO of Heaven – who is rather refreshingly depicted as something of a vapid Alpha-male with insecurity issues and a tendency to Google himself (to depressing effect). The action is fast paced, the created world is believable, God’s fixation with opening an Asian Fusion themed restaurant after the destruction of the world is priceless, and it took me all of an hour and a half to read, which is always a plus for the busy college student. Granted, Mr. Rich is hardly Douglas Adams, but then I’m hardly Johnny Depp and I’m doing just fine (comparatively).Overall Rating: Perfect Plane-ride Read. less

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