“Apocalypse Next Tuesday” by David Safier (Germany)

Review

Amusing, hilarious, laugh-out-loud funny – most of the time; irritating and repetitive – some of the time: these were the views of our group of readers, all of whom really did enjoy this book! They found it a light and easy read, and especially liked the first half and the ending. They agreed that the story lagged somewhat in the middle and they appreciated the cartoon drawings and the passages in italics, which helped break up the monotony of the narrator’s self-absorption. They liked the characters and felt the setting in a small town perfect for the unfolding of the plot. Readers thought that the story posed some serious questions and that there was a deeper moral message in the humour. One reader felt that it was at the limit of blasphemy but should be taken with a pinch of salt. Having read it in both languages, she also felt that the English translation was better than the original German as the sense of humour came across better. They would recommend it as a holiday read. Overall, it averaged a 7.2 out of 10.

Synopsis

Cataclysmic events are nigh in Malente, Germany. Satan (a dead ringer for George Clooney) is on the prowl, recruiting horsemen for next week’s Armageddon – and in a boring, provincial place like this, he’s apparently spoiled for choice. One might hope that the Archangel Gabriel would be some help since he’s in town, but he’s too busy with a tantric sex marathon to deliver anyone from evil… Read more

Nicola’s Book Club reading list

 Season 18 (Feb – Jun 2015)
“I Am A Japanese Writer” by Dany Laferrière (Haiti)
“Hour of the Star” by Clarice Lispector (Brazil)
“The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman” by Denis Thériault (Canada) *
“Tiare” by Célestine Hitiura Vaite (Tahiti)
“Apocalypse Next Tuesday” by David Safier (Germany) 

* The book club favourite
In italics, Nicola’s Coup de Cœur