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Summary: The Second Coming of Douglas Adams?
Review: This is the first of Moore's books I've read, and it certainly won't be the last. When I first dove into "Fluke," it was reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet's "Where is Joe Merchant" in its feel, and that's a good thing in my book. I settled in for what I thought would be a nice, leisurely read. Since I live in Hawaii, I thought it would be fun to see how someone else sees my island home and its assortment of colorful characters -- and our part-time residents, the humpbacks. But once the story really kicked into gear, it reminded me a great deal of Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker" series (which are among my favorites): a far-out fantasy story told with a great deal of style and humor. His characters are vividly drawn, and you really get the feeling you know them, and, more importantly, you like them. But in spite of his humorous approach, you never lose sight of the mystery and majesty that are the great whales. I had a difficult time putting "Fluke" down, and would wholeheartedly recommend this book. I'm only hoping his others are as much fun as this one, because I can't wait to get to them!
Rating: 
Summary: Is it him or me?
Review: I sought out Christopher Moore's books for years. Practical Demonkeeping, Coyote Blue, the Island book----wonderful, wonderful books, that I recommended and passed around to others. I was very excited to see this book out---but after getting about three-fourths of the way through, I have to say it is unreadable. "Over the top" and "jump the shark" are inadequate for this book. It's just silly, and not in a fun way. It's almost insulting to the reader. It's very rare that I don't finish a book, and I may make myself finish this, but it will be a struggle. Maybe it's worse because I was so much looking forward to it. I think I will just re-read his first two....
Rating: 
Summary: Fluke dives
Review: I had heard good things about Moore and specifically about this book. I started it eagerly. However, as the story unfolded, I found that the book had two fatal flaws: first, I didn't care about Moore's characters; second, his dialogue left me shaking my head in disgust. This is an author who tries too hard to be cute; unfortunately, it doesn't work. Earnestly, I felt as though I were reading a script for a Hollywood film rather than a novel. For true Moore fans, this may be just what you're looking for, but for those who heard all the good things I did and who are ready now to bite: spit the bait out and wait for the inevitable summer movie release in 2005. It may make an entertaining 90-minute movie, but a novel of worth, this one aint.
Rating: 
Summary: Christopher Moore strangeness
Review: A whacked out and possibly drug-induced book.I mean that in a good way.
Rating:
Summary: great return to his original style
Review: I'll first assume the reader is a longtime Chris Moore fan. If so, you will recognize immediately that Fluke is a return to his pre-Lamb format. The book it most closely resembled was Coyote Blue. It starts as a academic_science comedy/mystery, then suddenly shifts to being a science_fiction comedy/action_thriller. (Lots of slashes when trying to characterize a Moore book.) As usual, the plot takes second fiddle to the comedy, and tends to have some rough edges. The characterization and comedy is first rate, some of Moore's best. I rate it higher than most of his other novels, but perhaps not as good as Coyote Blue or especially Bloodsucking Fiends (still his best). There are some great laugh-out-loud lines in here, and even when the plot falls apart at the end, the humor stays as strong as ever.
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Summary: Cetacean biology has never looked like this!
Review: There are lots of humor writers out there who base their work -- sometimes all of their work -- on a single gimmick. Christopher Moore has the gift for writing outstanding novels that are distinct, clever, intelligent and thoughtful -- and also happen to stimulate your internal laugh track without pause. (It boggles the mind to consider just how much actual science, as well as seamanship, Moore learned before writing this book!)
Rating: 
Summary: My apologies to Chris
Review: It was hard for me to hit the 3 instead of the 5 stars for a Christopher Moore book. It's never happened before. I feel like I'm deserting my best friend. I've thrown in Moore's name into my reviews of other authors just to get his name out there.
While there were characters that I loved in this book...Nathan,
Amy, and especially Kona, the Rastaman...I just was not as captivated by this book as all his others. And believe me, I have been captivated!
While we all suspend reality when we read his novels, this one just went a touch too far. I'm sorry, just the word "Gooville" belongs in a Sesame Street adventure. I appreciated the information learned about whale hunting and the scientific work that whale researchers do. However, it was not enough to "float my boat."
If you are new to Christopher Moore, please read any of his others first. Laugh and weep. They are exquisite.
Rating:
Summary: Fun to read, but not one of his better books
Review: I love Christopher Moore's books, but this isn't one of his better ones. The humor is still there, but something about the story just put me off. It could be that I just loved Bloodsucking Fiends and Island of the Sequined Love Nuns so much, and this doesn't compare. There are some great anecdotes within it, and how could anyone not love a whale's tale with "Bite Me" on it? But, the rest of the story doesn't hold up to that intriguing start. (except the story of the two women that get caught between two male whales and a female whale. What makes that even better is that it's based on a true story --be sure to read the acknowledgements at the end.) I love his use of words; at one point, the Three Stooges become a verb (p. 285, "They stooged into a whaley pile near the steps.") Still, if you're looking to become familiar with this author, try the two books I mentioned earlier.
Rating:
Summary: UGH!
Review: I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to my worst enemy. It drags on foever and the characters, especially the male lead, are unlikeable enough to make you want to slam the book shut and never open it again. This was my first Moore book, and thankfully, my last.
Rating:
Summary: A total hoot
Review: This book is a total hoot--puckering sphinctral wash basins and whaley boys with wildly waving willies beggar the mind. The book runs a bit out of steam at the end, otherwise it would have been a ten star, on a scale of one to five. In this, it's a bit like Lamb, imagination gone wild with a few weak spots.
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