I must start this review with the first line on the back cover: “DO NOT READ THIS BOOK…if” which is followed by a long list of people better off not reading this story, namely those driving a motorized vehicle, people easily offended, or younger sprouts who have not yet reached puberty.
The amusing blurb on the back of “The Completely Inappropriate Tales of Gandersnitch the Goblin” by Robert A. Turk was only my first taste of the entertainment I would find within. It contains eight short stories and an excellent ballad that give you a peek into the life of Gandersnitch the Goblin, the Banished Barber of Goblonia.
These tales indeed contain much inappropriate material, but it is mainly of the blood and guts sort, since Gandersnitch does not “kiss and tell.” In the words of the author, Robert A. Turk, Gandersnitch is a “…highly entertaining character, and to make him so, he is also intentionally terribly flawed….” Robert’s goal with the character is to “…highlight the absurdities of human behavior through the comedy of an inhuman character.” And this he does terribly well. But think not that all within speaks of gruesome comedy, bodily functions, and miscreant behavior. No, there is love as well, and companionship. The ending almost brought a single tear to my eye, it was so moving (I’m hinting, but no spoilers!).
The only, very slight, criticism I would have is that the wording seemed a bit clunky in a few places at the beginning. But perhaps that was just me getting used to Mr. Turk’s voice (or him getting used to Gandersnitch’s voice), because by the time I was halfway through the book, I didn’t notice any more awkward wording. Other than that I can find naught to critique! The plot, flow, editing, internal artwork, cover, and story itself were all well done and are pleasing to the eye as well as to the mind.
I was vastly entertained and engrossed throughout the book, and highly recommend it as a great read that sparks the imagination and makes us think about our own actions, decisions, and humanity. For, “…ultimately, this book is about a journey. It is about a flawed absurdest character suffering the consequences of his own bad choices, rebuilding his life amid cascading setbacks, and looking towards the future with a dangerous grin, a quick and snarky wit, and an over-sized pair of scissors.”
That, my friends, is Gandersnitch the Goblin, and I take off my hat do you, Mr. Turk, for such a well-written, amusing, and moving book. If you are interested in learning more about this exceptional author, do check out his website, where you will find he also does adult comedy acts as his character, Gandersnitch, as well as children’s teas (lets hope he never gets the two mixed up!).
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