A Dirty Job

By: Christopher Moore

Narrated by: Fisher Stevens

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Charlie Asher is a pretty normal guy. A little hapless, somewhat neurotic, sort of a hypochondriac. He's what's known as a Beta Male: the kind of fellow who makes his way through life by being careful and constant, you know, the one who's always there to pick up the pieces when the girl gets dumped by the bigger/taller/stronger Alpha Male.

But Charlie's been lucky. He owns a building in the heart of San Francisco, and runs a secondhand store with the help of a couple of loyal, if marginally insane, employees. He's married to a bright and pretty woman who actually loves him for his normalcy. And she, Rachel, is about to have their first child.

Yes, Charlie's doing okay for a Beta. That is, until the day his daughter, Sophie, is born. Just as Charlie, exhausted from the birth, turns to go home, he sees a strange man in mint-green golf wear at Rachel's hospital bedside, a man who claims that no one should be able to see him. But see him Charlie does, and from here on out, things get really weird.

People start dropping dead around him, giant ravens perch on his building, and it seems that everywhere he goes, a dark presence whispers to him from under the streets. Strange names start appearing on his nightstand notepad, and before he knows it, those people end up dead, too. Yup, it seems that Charlie Asher has been recruited for a new job, an unpleasant but utterly necessary one: Death. It's a dirty job. But hey, somebody's gotta do it.

©2006 Christopher Moore (P)2006 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

• 2006 Quill Award Nominee

"Moore's enthusiasm and skill make it convincing, and his affection for the cast of weirdos gives the book an unexpected poignancy." (Publishers Weekly)

Hilarious

This is by far my favorite Christopher Moore book.

One of the few books I'd listen to more than once.

This book is spectacular comedy most deadly. It takes a newish view of death and rebirth and makes a great story out of it. For about a week after reading this I really wanted to use "Like bear!" in conversation.

Fresh and Funny

This book was laugh out loud funny at times. The author's tone is something like Nick Hornby's, salted with a bit of Chris Rock. The plot line is more of a fantasy than either of those two write, but that is a vehicle for some good comedy. As with Rock and Hornby, the humor may strike guys more than women, and it is not for young kids.

The narrator does a fantastic job catching different accents and delivering the punch lines.

Superbly Chucklish!

The opening chapter will have even the most sensible person in stitches and thereby sucked into this ridiculous plot that leaves you screaming for more. Fisher Stevens is BRILLIANT at delivering this tale of death, er....Death. Charlie almost instantly became my favorite character ever, keeping me in my truck long past my arrival at home or work and awake at night because I was so engaged. A MUST listen. You won't be disappointed!

Entertaining

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I got into the flow and adjusted to accepting the craziness, I found myself enjoying the author's quick wit and hilarious writing. While I didn't "love, love, love" this book, I was impressed with the cleverness and will try "Lamb" next.

Such a crazy plot!

I think the narrator really sold this story. It was a very fun and pleasant listen. Sometimes after listening to a few Thriller/Suspence novels it's fun to just listen a fictional book with a unique and fun vibe!

Awesome book!

I couldn't stop listening. The reader was great too. The story was interesting and I couldn't wait to listen to it each morning on my way to work. It's funny, dark and witty. I'm going to check out all his other stuff.

Laugh out loud listening experience

Beware! You may laugh out loud in public drawing looks from strangers but you won’t regret spending money for this one. It was truly enjoyable. Enjoy!

Why Me!

Was a very interesting an humores take of death, good and evil, and the after life. Following Charlie in his unexplained and unwanted new ability was well worth the listen. Christopher Moore did a great of of reading this adventure. I highly recommend this book to lighten up your day.

Very funny

Huge fan of Moore. The Narrator did a great job with all the characters. He had a very versatile voice that allowed you to really imagine the characters as they spoke. The comedy aspect had me laughing out loud at work. So good I highly recommend for anyone needing a good horror comedy in their life.