Customer Reviews

The California Book of the Dead

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This novel has in almost every review I've read been compared to the 'Tales of the City', and I can't quite see why. I love Maupins' series, and enjoyed Tim Farringdons debut also, but it seems that purely because both are set in San Francisco and both tell the story of an eccentric cast of characters they have been lumped together in reviewers minds. Don't get me wrong, you will almost certainly enjoy one if you like the other, but the books are very different in their style and in their execution. The 'Book of the Dead' is a thoughtful and also moving description of the lives of a houseful of friends/lovers/family, and yes it also has parts that are very funny, but don't expect a laugh out loud roller coaster of zany antics. Instead savour the way Farringdon writes about the relationships between his characters, all of whom are searching for something. And his wry, but non-judgemental observations on the New Age/ Alternative lifestyle trap that they fall into along the way. One of the most interesting books I've read recently and highly recommended

Sometimes it takes me a long time to finally decide what I want to read, but on a recent trip to the bookstore i was browsing through the new releases and happened upon this novel. The cover is immediately striking and encouraged me to open the cover to read the liner notes. They struck an inner cord as well. I decided to purchase the book. I started reading it and was immediately wrapped up in the story in which Mr. Farrington was telling. His attention to detail and inner struggle amongst the four roomates was captivating. He winds you through these lives as if you were living them yourself. Definitly a must read for those whom are searching for that something they feel is missing in their lives. Mr. Farrington's novel may just open that little void up and let you, if but only for awhile, experience enlightenment on a higher plain..

Having an absolute passion for San Francisco I was thrilled to find this book, and while the read has been relatively enjoyable, this book did not set my world alight.Unfortunately many reviews rave about it, but I can't see why. The characters are stiff and developed as subtly as cardboard cutouts. Plot developments are clumsy and obvious. The writing style is fine, but altogether the book becomes a very bland and superficial interpretation of lives and loves in one of the world's most exciting cities.The book also does not delve into the city - there is little action in the environs which is a real disappointment.Marlowe and Daa also take on a 'token' lesbianism after a while. All the heterosexual characters have sex often but Marlowe just wants men, while Daa, the 'real' lesbian, comes across as underdeveloped as a character and dull to boot.So why did I rate it at all? Because it's gentle and pleasant, because I think the other worldliness and craziness of the spiritual quest in California is well portrayed, and because it helped me to fall asleep each night.

I read this early book by Tim Farrington after having read his later book "The Monk Downstairs," in the expectation that, like the "Momk," it would be a straightforward novel, with a clearly discernible plot---only to find instead a narrative whose focus enlarged (more and more "characters," with rather parodic names and increasingly obvious satiric emphasis)that made me unsure of both the tone and the author's intention in writing it. Adding to my uncertainty are blurbs by other reviewers (one calling the dialog "hilarious" and another labelling the work "a good-natured satire"). The "Questions for Discussion" provided at the book's conclusion have done nothing to allay my doubts.

Rose B. Robinson
[...]

I think this book has merit. It is certainly engaging and witty. It reminds me a great deal of The Serial, but updated for the 90's. But make no mistake, this is really a northern California novel--a minor pleasure, but not definitive of CA culture

This book was fairly well-written and interesting - though Marlowe is a thoroughly despicable and unlikeable character. I actually enjoyed reading it - despite Marlowe - until I got to the end, where it turned into a piece of garbagio. Truly, the ending wasn't fitting at all and seemed rather slapdash to me. I would have given this book four stars, if not for the horrendous ending.

i recently read this book and i heartily agree with the first reviewer. i couldn't stop reading the book. and as i read more and more i started hating marlowe more and more and i agree that the ending was REALLY ill fitting. i think that the reasoning for this is on the most part that i didn't see why someone would end a loving relationship with someone that was working fine for 10 years and just decide to go off and be with a guy JUST becuase he was a guy no matter how unfit for marriage. it's just stupid. i think that in this day and age people can see a good relationship is a good relationship. and the writer must have gotten confused and panicked or something. HOWEVER the rest of the book is interesting and overall it's not bad. im actually interested in reading more books by the same author simply because of how wonderfully he wrote. i dont think you'll be too disappointed. give it a chance!

I picked up this book at the local bookstore thinking that I would try something different. The synopsis intrigued me. However, I could only get halfway through the book and never finished it. I guess I'm not into the California/New Age mentality.