Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Alfred A. Knopf (1984), Edition: 1st, Hardcover, 353 pages
Description
As the Biblical David lies on his death-bed he looks back on his own, crowded life and tells all.
Subjects
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member Porius
I think Joseph Heller's humor suits me as much as any writer. I love P G. Wodehouse, but Heller makes me laugh where it hurts. Wodehouse is damned funny, though I laugh as an American, and this makes a difference, I think. I don't find Wodehouse's Americans funny for the most part. The American dog
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biscuit tycoon in FULL MOON was merely ridiculous, ie. I didn't find him that funny. Show Less
LibraryThing member pmcnamee67
As good as or better than Catch-22.
LibraryThing member GaryPatella
I laughed at the humor, but suffered through the tedious parts. It has the type of tedious descriptions that serve only to cause suffering, without adding any actual enhancement to the work.
The story is of King David, from the Old Testament, who is old and laying in his deathbed. There is a lot of
If you like Heller, then you probably should read it. But I wouldn't make it a priority on the list of things to read.
The story is of King David, from the Old Testament, who is old and laying in his deathbed. There is a lot of
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poking fun at religion, and the humor is quite unique. But there are other moments when the story just drags on and gets extremely boring (not unlike the Bible).If you like Heller, then you probably should read it. But I wouldn't make it a priority on the list of things to read.
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LibraryThing member keylawk
From the author of Catch-22, the heretofore unpublished background psalm of King David. From his annointing through that little problem he had with Saul to those tragedies of having multiple wives.
LibraryThing member Devil_llama
The author of Catch-22 takes on the story of David, focusing solely on the Biblical king's dying days, when he is kept warm by a young virgin, and battles are going on for who will succeed him. Bathsheba is engaged in palace intrigue on behalf of her son, Solomon, while David just lusts, in an
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impotent way, over the old queen. Witty, but misses the mark at times. Show Less
LibraryThing member oel_3
A good book from the first chapter to last, true, its a vintage Heller!
LibraryThing member dmtrader
I thought it was brilliant writing. Joseph Heller writes from the POV of King David of Israel, but in the tone of a 20th century American Jewish man.
A word of warning: If you are not familiar with I and II Samuel (Old Testament books), you will be hopelessly lost while reading this.
A word of warning: If you are not familiar with I and II Samuel (Old Testament books), you will be hopelessly lost while reading this.
ISBN
0394529197 / 9780394529196