Rating: 
Summary: Good trip into the badlands
Review: The first time I read this I was confused and rather disappointed. The book came to me with high praise from people I trust for their opinions, and I thought "Hmm, well maybe it's just one of those things." Then I read it again. Inside the back cover is a reference to a review by Joe Lansdale, where he likened it to a Philip K Dick novel, and this got me into the thing again. I've never read any other books or stories by this writer, so I don't have that as a point of comparison. It is difficult to tell from the context (and perhaps that is the point) whether the Lovecraftian critters are all in the character's head or if they exist. As a satire of big business it falls a little short of the 3 Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and as wild comedy it falls short of Fear and Loathing In las Vegas. It isn't really very funny ha-ha, is funny strange, and is worth the few bucks to form your own opinion. It has grown on me since the first reading to become one of my favorite recent books set in the Mythos, but I found it a little wanting.
Rating: 
Summary: A very funny, dry rendition of Lovecraftian mythos!
Review: The writing is humorous and dry. It's the best modern version of Howard Lovecraft's mythology yet. W.B. Spencer has released the entire pantheon of Lovecraft's interdimensional monsters into a hilariously absurd group of company shills, with cosmically comical results. It reads very much like one of those darkly humorous rock & roll style
zombie flicks that one might see in such horror films as the
"Return of the Living Dead" series. You really do sympathize
with the character, who is a loser, yet has certain redeeming qualities about him that allow the author to make him win in the end, and
have everyone applauding the character at the same time.
The watchwords here are dry and funny -- extremely funny!
Rating:
Summary: I Laughed Until I Hurt
Review: This achingly funny book introduces the idea that America's corporations are actually run by H.P. Lovecraft monsters...it makes perfect sense to me. The author's view of corporate culture is dead-on accurate, and behind the laughs, there is real anger at the utter dehumanization of the contemporary workplace, and at the weakness of American workers who have allowed themselves to be turned into corporate fodder. In its own nutty way, this is a very important book.
Rating:
Summary: I Laughed Until I Hurt
Review: This achingly funny book introduces the idea that America's corporations are actually run by H.P. Lovecraft monsters...it makes perfect sense to me. The author's view of corporate culture is dead-on accurate, and behind the laughs, there is real anger at the utter dehumanization of the contemporary workplace, and at the weakness of American workers who have allowed themselves to be turned into corporate fodder. In its own nutty way, this is a very important book.
Rating:
Summary: Cthulhu Is Alive And Well And Living In Your Head
Review: This is the story of Philip Keenan, a forty-five year-old man working in a quickee resume print shop. Philip used to have a good job at Micromeg. Unfortunately Philip lost his job after preventing the Old Ones from jumping into our space and time. Philip's ex-girlfriend (who's life he claims to have saved) thinks he is crazy. His coworkers think he is crazy. The institutions he has been in think he is crazy. Even his therapist believes this. But Philip knows he is sane and that all of the monsters of H.P. Lovecraft are real. The reader is made to side against Philip. Ah, but what if Philip is NOT crazy? There is the little matter of... But that would be telling. Suffice it to say, Mythos fans SHOULD read this book. You know who you are.This is a well-written book (as well as any mythos book). My only problem with the book is that I kept thinking Philip was younger. Mid-twenties perhaps. Otherwise, it is a very enjoyable, and fast, 500 page read. I do recommend this one.
Rating:
Summary: Cthulhu Is Alive And Well And Living In Your Head
Review: This is the story of Philip Keenan, a forty-five year-old man working in a quickee resume print shop. Philip used to have a good job at Micromeg. Unfortunately Philip lost his job after preventing the Old Ones from jumping into our space and time. Philip's ex-girlfriend (who's life he claims to have saved) thinks he is crazy. His coworkers think he is crazy. The institutions he has been in think he is crazy. Even his therapist believes this. But Philip knows he is sane and that all of the monsters of H.P. Lovecraft are real. The reader is made to side against Philip. Ah, but what if Philip is NOT crazy? There is the little matter of... But that would be telling. Suffice it to say, Mythos fans SHOULD read this book. You know who you are. This is a well-written book (as well as any mythos book). My only problem with the book is that I kept thinking Philip was younger. Mid-twenties perhaps. Otherwise, it is a very enjoyable, and fast, 500 page read. I do recommend this one.
Rating:
Summary: Dilbert meets H.P. Lovecraft
Review: This was great, and kept me guessing
about the main character's mental
state for quite a while. The
interference of ancient other-worldly evil creatures certainly explains a lot of the features of corporate culture!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This wry satire is definately worth a read. Throughout the story you're strung along a surreal journey that has you wondering if the main character is insane or enlightened, and keeps you laughing all the delightful way to an astonishing and funny conclusion. If you haven't, reading Lovecraft and becoming familiar with the Cthulhu mythos will enhance this book.
Rating:
Summary: hilarious and engaging
Review: When I lived in Austin, I was a member of a writers' group
called the SlugTribe. Bill was also a member, and he read
this work to us over the course of several meetings. I wish I'd taken a tape recorder. Bill's delivery is just as
entertaining as the words themselves.
I seem to recall that the
title was slightly different, though. I guess that's par
for the course with publisher types.
Rating:
Summary: loved it
Review: William Browning Spencer is one of names I constantly look for at bookstores. If your lucky enough to stumble accross one of his books, grab it up quickly and begin the reading feast. With RESUME WITH MONSTERS, you will find yourself swept away in a fantasticly clever story. Its such a good read you will have it done in one or two nights. He writes the type of books where you think "Oh I'll read just a few pages before bed", and you end up reading till 4a.m. I strongly recommend all of his books.
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