Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A book to make you laugh outloud!
This was my first Christopher Moore book, but it sure won't be my last. Let it be said that there is no socially redeeming value to this book, unless washing away the cares of the day with a fast, enjoyable, FUNNY and even occasionally slightly touching read is redeeming (which I think it is!!).I won't try to summarize the plot, but among the elements of it, you've got this "lust lizard," which is really more of a horny undersea dinosaur. Then the hero is a town constable with a horrible marijuana habit. There's a washed-up, insane B-movie star living in a trailer. A bar owner who is made up mostly of fake parts. A biologist studying rats. A corrupt sheriff. A pharmacist with unnatural yearnings for sea mammals. A blues musician with a giant catfish in his past. And so on. You begin to get the idea. What's fun about this book is that aside from the wacky plot, Moore writes with such verve and energy. It zooms along, peppered with lots of little asides and casual observations which in many ways are the funniest parts of the book. And while totally crazy and unlikely, the characters become very endearing as the book goes on, and there are even moments of romance which manage to VERY briefly add a touch of seriousness to the goings-on. The book is not for kids. It does have some bad language, and while not exactly explicit, the sexuality that is explored is odd, to say the least. But for an adult with a slightly off-kilter sense of humor, I highly recommend it. Now, on to ISLAND OF SEQUINED LOVE NUNS!!
Rating: - Moore At It Again!
To steal the quote of the inside cover this book can be best described as "Bridges of Madison County" meets "Godzilla". Christopher Moore has a way of mixing zany true to life characters with unbelivable supernatural elements. If you are looking for a serious read. this is not for you, but if you allow your imagination to run amok, Moore's books are a true pleasure.Moore introduces new characters, and mixes them in with some old, mainly from 'Practical Demonkeeping" to tell the tale of a man eating sea creature(named Steve) who falls in love with an aging "Xena" like actress in a small California coastal town. Sounds crazy? Yes, but it is true fun with a laugh a page writing style that only Moore has. The characters are all likeable goofballs whose quirkiness and downfalls make their antics more belivable. It is a very quick read and is definitely worth the time. You won't put this book down with some earth-shattering revelations, just a few laughs and the feeling of being throughly entertained.
Rating: - Not too substantial, but definitely enjoyable
"The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove" is sort of like a good episode of "Seinfeld." You may not learn much reading it, and it certainly won't make you any wiser, but you'll probably wind up thoroughly amused. There isn't as much lurking under the surface here as there is in, say, a Chuck Palahniuk novel, but it's hard to deny Christopher Moore's vivid imagination and sense of humor. For a fast-paced, good-natured story with plenty of twists and turns, "Lust Lizard" is just about perfect.The book concerns a sleepy California town, Pine Cove, that gets an unexpected visit from an ancient carnivorous sea monster seeking an old bluesman who has come to play at the local saloon. At the same time, the guilt-ridden town psychiatrist has taken her unsuspecting patients off their anti-depressants, and the combination of suppressed serotonin levels and the monster's presence turns the town's libido way up. What ensues is a likably wacky tale of vice, greed, and lust, where pretty much everybody is nursing a secret, a checkered past, or both. The book draws its humor from an abundance of sharply-drawn characters and outrageous situations, and Moore has a direct and witty writing style that makes for some easy and entertaining reading. The parade of offbeat characters includes a weed-addled town constable, an aging former scream queen, a group of religious zealots, a pharmacist with a strong affinity for marine mammals, and a lot more. Overall, "The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove" makes for some excellent, semi-light reading. It does sag a bit in the middle, but it gets its momentum back in time for an unpredictable and chaotic conclusion that ends everything on a high note. Moore seems to have a knack for crafting characters, such as constable Theophilus Crowe, that are both flawed and symphathetic at the same time. I generally go for somewhat heavier reading, but if I'm in the mood for some levity I now know where to look. Highly recommended.
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