Review: Funny and entertaining
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 22, 2013
Jeremy Clovenhoof has got a problem. He's been fired from his job, the one and only job he's ever had, and the only thing he knows how to do properly. Besides, he's been evicted from his house and obliged to move into an unknown city. Though this wouldn't be a desirable situation for anyone, it is a real tragedy for our main character, because Jeremy Clovenhoof is only one of his many pseudonyms, others being Old Nick, the Adversary, Old Scratch, The Angel of Bottomless Pit, The Fallen One... Yes, Jeremy Clovenhoof is Satan himself, who's been expelled from Hell because of his poor job performance and finds himself now exiled in the earth, in the city of Birmingham, London. Homesick and awestruck, Satan aka Jeremy tries to understand how and why he has come to this undesirable position. In his journey to adapt himself to his new situation, he makes some friends, almost finds love and even discovers a conspiracy to remove God from his Throne.I find this book hilarious. The plot is full of absurd situations which are really funny. The secondary characters, Ben and Nerys, round up, together with Jeremy, a perfect team of social misfits struggling to get along in a society which feels alien. There is a sharp criticism underlying some of the funniest scenes in the book (for example, when Jeremy finds out how credit cards work). Jeremy's point of view always hides a clever sarcasm. The conclusions this completely immoral character draws from our society are surprising. It is at least alarming the fact that, in the end, it is not that difficult for him to find himself at home and comfy settled down amongst humans.In conclusion, I have really enjoyed this story. Readable and funny, it also makes you think some things over. The only drawback I could point out in the book is the pace, which slows down a little towards the middle of the story, to gain rhythm again in the last chapters. In spite of this little flaw, the book is highly recommendable.