Fool

A Novel

By: Christopher Moore

Narrated by: Euan Morton

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Christopher Moore, much beloved scrivener and peerless literary jester, now takes on no less than the legendary Bard himself (with the utmost humility and respect) with a twisted and insanely funny tale of a moronic monarch and his deceitful daughters, as seen through the eyes of a man wearing a codpiece and bells on his head.

Pocket has been Lear's cherished fool for years. So naturally Pocket is at his brainless, elderly liege's side when Lear demands that his kids swear to him their undying love and devotion. Of course Goneril and Regan are only too happy to brownnose Dad. But Cordelia believes that her father's request is kind of...well...stupid, and her blunt honesty ends up costing her her rightful share of the kingdom and earns her a banishment to boot.

Well now the bangers and mash have really hit the fan. And the only person who can possibly make things right . . . is Pocket. Now he's going to have do some very fancy maneuvering: cast some spells, start a war or two - the usual stuff - to get Cordelia back into Daddy Lear's good graces, to derail the fiendish power plays of Cordelia's twisted sisters, and to shag every lusciously shaggable wench who's amenable to shagging along the way.

Pocket may be a fool...but he's definitely not an idiot.

©2009 Christopher Moore (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

King Lear as a comedy

Who would have thought that Shakespeare's famous tragedy could be rewritten to be hilarious? This is "Laugh out loud" funny. King Lear from the viewpoint of his fool Pocket.

I enjoy Christopher Moore's work having read/listened to Lamb and It's a Dirty Job and am reading Sacre Blue right now. I think Fool is the best. Moore loves his all his heros and does an amazing amount of research into whatever topic he is writing about.

You HAVE to have a broad sense of humour and not take offence as much of his story lines involve sex, swearing and body parts. There is a warning at the beginning of the book that some may be offended. I strongly recommended this book to a family member who also enjoys Moore's work and who I know won't be offended.

Of all the Audible books I've listened to, 200+, this is the funniest. Enjoy!

Hilarious, Vulgar, Ridiculous, Entertaining, .....

The best part of this book was the performance. It was the perfect representation for the Black Fool.
I was only vaguely knowledgeable of the source material of King Lear. I'm interested in reading Shakespeare's King Lear now.

Don't listen to this if you are easily offended. if you can deal with that, I think you'll enjoy yourself with this

best of the best

can't say enough about Moore. I have listened to this 5 times now and still love it.

difficult to understand the narration

This is probably a decent book, but I can't understand the fake English accent well enough to follow the story. Gave up after twenty minutes.

Vulgar, but well worth it!

What did you love best about Fool?

The story itself is wonderful, but truthfully it's actually the free use of vulgarities that really makes this story to me! Without the colorful language this novel would loose all of it's humor. Between Pocket's unabashed descriptions of things, to the King's long strings of curses thrown at his daughters, there is nothing better to use.
The story has just enough hints of things to come, thanks to the "bloody ghost" that, while a comedy, it plays out kind of like a mystery. Love the ending though, for I thought the Witches Three were going to ask for Pocket's life. Not going to spoil it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fool?

Oh dear, most memorable moment....Ah! Must be when Pocket was hanging with his "bits" in the arrow loop for the Anchoress to please him- and in walks the Bishop. At least to me that is the most memorable moment. I was laughing for a good while- had to pause the book!

What about Euan Morton’s performance did you like?

I love this reader- and will be seeking out other books read bu Euan Morton. Though I fear I will always hear him as Pocket. But Euan does a bloody terrific job in his emotions; anger, joy, ...pleasure... I really enjoyed how Euan changed his voice for each character as well; some narrators do not do this, and it makes for a very boring story.

If you could take any character from Fool out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Pocket of course. Mainly because I love the way he points out things in people with no sense of being shy about it! Would thoroughly enjoy hearing his views on those around where I live.

Any additional comments?

A definite recommendation to anyone who doesn't mind a bit of colorful language. You don't need to have ever read King Lear to understand this story.

a most excellent story

I loved this book. it was fun and entertaining. The narrator did an excellent job. To be honest, this is probably my favorite version of Lear

Great

this book was hilarious. Very witty and funny and full of surprises. Perhaps not what you might expect at first but a pleasant surprise.

Classic Moore!

I loved it (as I expected I would). Thank you for once again providing laugh at loud entertainment for my grueling gym workouts.

Superb!

This was terrific!

This was laugh-out-loud funny in some parts, and enjoyable in the rest. You in no way need to be a fan of Shakespeare to enjoy it, though knowing the basic characters of King Lear will help. I've enjoyed other Moore books, but this is my second favourite after Lamb.

so funny, says I in perfect f***ing French!!!

was listening to this once well shagging... Pocket speaks in perfect f***ing French and I lost it. all shagging on hold for a bit of a laugh. XD