The Philosophical Strangler

Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully whimsical and satirical, if wandering, fantasy
Review: I found this book a wonderful blend of moral and philosophical commentary and fantasy/mind candy. It didn't read like many fantasies because the plot was not the author's main interest. Rather it seemed as though Flynt wanted to present ideas for both the characters and the reader to mull and idle over, which I just loved. I will say that because of this, the book rambles and wanders rather than leading a clear path from point to point. If you don't like that style, you will probably dislike the book immensely. But for the reader who wants a little intellectual fodder with their fantasy, I think this is a great choice and I am personally hoping to find that others of Flynt's books provide more of the same. And in contrast with other reviewers, I enjoyed the ending. While it was somewhat anticlimactic, I found the ending unpredictable and satisfyingly appropriate for the characters.

Rating:
Summary: One of the worst books I have ever read
Review: I have to admit, I bought this book because it seemed to compare itself to books like "Myth Adventures" by David Asprin, or "Xanth" by Piers Anthony. However, knowing Eric Flint, I should have expected something else.

Eric Flint is probably one of the most unoriginal writers I have ever read. His "1632" is such a blatent rip-off of the "Island In The Sea Of Time" series by Bruce Sterling, it is not even funny. But his writing ability is much worse, leaving me that time with an unsatisfying "alternate history" story, which is my favorite genre.

The cover of Strangler tells us it is "Monty Python meets Tolkein". Well, that is true. We get the tasteless parts of Python, mixed with the dry bore-you-to-death parts of Tolkein. We do not get any part of Python's humor, nor do we get Tolkein's intelligence. The result is very unsatisfying.

I have to admit, I find little to recommend this book to anybody. Even the map at the beginning is so bizzare, that it makes no sense. A good example is when Mr. Flint takes us on a 7 page description of a bar. 3 of those pages are about the physical bar where the drinks are served! I mean, who cares??? He must have been paid per word, because there is so much stuffing thrown in it is amazing. It gave me the feeling of a 30 minute script blown up to a 2 hour movie.

And to make it worse, there are so many anachronisms thrown in, it is quickly obvious that he once again forgot to do any real editing or research. A good example is in the preface of the story, where the main characters actually get into a Hansom Cab! For goodness sake, make it a generic carriage, not a specific type of cab from 19th Century England!

I can go on and on about these blunders, but it is to painfull to recall them all, and it would make this review as bloated as the original book was. Just avoid this book, it is not worth it.

Rating:
Summary: The Dialectic Undone
Review: I wish I could have given this froth a 3 1/2. This is an amusing book, with amusing characters who are constantly in the midst of amusing mayhem, murdering mostly deserving folk for profit...but it's no more than that. I even laughed out loud a few times...not often, but a few times. Do you understand my problem?

This book has a lot of wasted potential. It was like a series of short stories strung together with very thin connecting material. It's a very light weight tale, unfortunately in hardbound, with spotty, but amusing, character development. This wasn't up to Flint's usual standards...but amusing, rather amusing.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad.
Review: It's like the shadow of a Platonic Ideal of a fantasy-humor novel. Think Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser meet Pulp Fiction - only funnier. This book probably should have been written by Avram Davidson, who could have milked the silly names and goofy situations for a lot more literary goodness. As it stands, hey, I've paid more for worse.

Rating:
Summary: Warning: May cause hysterical laughter
Review: Oh Dear! How did a mixture Fantasy and a bunch of low life characters get so funny? The life of a strangler's agent gets horribly complicated when the strangler discovers philosophy. Do _NOT_ read this book while eating or drinking in public.

Rating:
Summary: Cynical assassins
Review: Set in medieval times in an unknown realm, similar in tone to Sir Apropos of Nothing. Story of an assassin (the Strangler) and his manager. A bit gruesome in parts, but also includes tales of derring-do and humor. The manager is the narrator and he talks a good game of cynicism, while not thinking too highly of himself.

Rating:
Summary: Great start--funny with a twist--but doesn't quite finish
Review: THE PHILOSOPHICAL STRANGLER starts off hot--with a great combination of adventure and humor. Grayboar, a strangler with an inclination to philosophy, and his business manager Ignace, have a good thing going. There's no lack of customers and Ignace hoards every penny he can. So long as they can stay away from politics and religion, they've got it made. A philosophical strangler is inherently funny and author Eric Flint's writing, humorous insights, and throw aways (e.g., Grayboar's girlfriend is Schrodenger's Cat) will keep you laughing

Naturally, they can't quite follow Ignace's rules. Ignace (the narrator)loses the argument to Grayboar's philosophy and the two end up plunged deep into both politics and especially religion.

The second half of this novel becomes a much more predictable adventure story. I was disappointed to find that Grayboar's philosophy somehow got lost. Although Ignace stayed consistent (and consistently funny), the second half felt as if it was running short a cylinder.

I enjoyed this book and feel no shame in recommending it. Unfortunately, it fell slightly short of the promise offered in the first half.

Rating:
Summary: Eric Flint's a great world builder and world class humerist
Review: This book had me laughing out loud. Not only is the protagonist an evil horrible uh, er uh, being, but he is absolutely ethical and excellent at it. I think, unless he's a hero in disguise. No, no surely that isn't possible.

This is a great funny book. Read it.

Rating:
Summary: Flighty Fancy
Review: This novel was an utter delight. Do not let the title fool you, there is no real need to understand the philosophical contents of the novel to truely enjoy it.

You have fun poked at philosphy, human nature, politics, the whole works.

There is always a joke or pun to be had, nary a page where you don't at least chuckle.

The story is told from a the first person (Ignance) who is the Strangler's Agent. Ignance gives his insight to everything those around him do, adding his own flare to the actions of others.
You find yourself laughing at his interpretation of events.

In short, its a whimsical tale which pokes fun at human nature, and a joy to read.

Rating:
Summary: I seem to have a different opinion on this one.......
Review: Well, looking at the other reviews of this book, I can't help but feel I must have been reading a completely different book altogether.
I really, really did not like this book. At all. As a matter of fact, this is the first book in many years that I have seriously considered stopping in the middle of, and not finishing. I finished it, but I really didn't see any improvement.
That said, I will explain.
It was interesting, and different, having the main characters be.... well, a strangler, and his manager. It had a lot of promise, but right from the start this book just rubbed me the wrong way. I have nothing against stranglers, or their managers, but....Well, I found myself with an intense dislike of these characters from the beginning.
The first-person writting style doesn't bother me at all, but in this case I just really, REALLY didn't want to be in this guy's head.
I couldn't see what the various parts of the story had to do with any of the others, and my frustration was getting the best of me.
The overall book was.... not good. I was disappointed, and annoyed that I had actually spent my time on this.
In this case though, this is only my opinion. The reason I went with 2 stars, as opposed to 1, or none if I could, was because most of my problems with this book were personal. I really disliked the plot, and the characters, and the story was just dull. So, 2 stars for the book based on the elements that were good about it.
I find it strange, because I like Eric Flint.
Sorry, but this one I will not be reading again, nor it's sequels, if there are any.