Who knows where I even stumbled upon Starter Villain by John Scalzi? If it was you, thanks for the recommendation.
The dedication of this book reads:
This book is dedicated to:
Everyone who could make someone else's day worse, but tries to make it better instead.
Thank you. It's more important than you think.
Also, to Sugar, Spice, and Smudge, my current set of cats.
You are all a real pain in my ass, and I love your stupid furry faces.
Everyone who could make someone else's day worse, but tries to make it better instead.
Thank you. It's more important than you think.
Also, to Sugar, Spice, and Smudge, my current set of cats.
You are all a real pain in my ass, and I love your stupid furry faces.
If you are not charmed by that, you and I are very different people.
So this is an amusing little book. Charlie's barely making ends meet when he learns that his uncle left him his supervillain empire. Oh, also, his cats can communicate in English using a typewriter. I thought the first half of the book was stronger than the second, but I was happy to have read this. Also, maybe the being able to communicate with cats was really truly wish fulfillment for me. 3.5/5 stars
Line of note:
I didn't need another cat. At this point in my brilliant career as an itinerant educator I could barely afford to feed myself. But then, no one ever needs a cat these days. That's not why we have cats. We have cats because they amuse us and because otherwise our clothes would lack the texture only cat hair can provide. (page 17)
"When people name cats, they usually do it in one of three categories: food, physical characteristics or mythology," Morrison explained. "So, you name your cat Sugar, or Smudge, or Zeus..." (page 21)
Things I looked up:
esters (page 5) - chemical compounds formed by the combination of an acid and an alcohol; used in many industries, including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing
chaebol (page 150) - the large, conglomerate family-controlled firms of South Korea characterized by strong ties with government agencies
Patrick Etoile (page 227) - This is a character on Sponge Bob.
Svalbord (page 255) - a Norwegian archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole. One of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, it's known for its rugged, remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra sheltering polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes. The Northern Lights are visible during winter, and summer brings the “midnight sun”—sunlight 24 hours a day. Sounds bad.
Hat mentions: None
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If you could ask your pet one thing, what would it be?
I loved Starter Villian - a little weak at the end but still great. I made my teen sons and husband read it right after I was done.
ReplyDeleteI would as my beloved 20+lbs behemoth of a cat why he thinks pooping in dust in the basement is a good idea, when there are two perfectly good litter boxes available. I'd asked my fluffy girl why is she so skittish still, after three years of unending love, attention, and chin scritches. I'd ask my daughter's dog why does he think people are so scary when he receives nothing but admiration. ( he's a beautiful little cocker spaniel, but such a chicken.)
Oh, this is a GREAT book for me to add to my list of books I recommend to dudes. I have so few!
DeleteI'm not going to read that but I'm amused by the cover and charmed by the dedication.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I would ask Rex! I feel like he's an open book. What would you ask Hannah?
I'd ask Hannah: You know I love you so very much and even when I do things you don't like like cut your nails and give you a bath I am doing it for your best interest and I would never hurt you and your belly makes noises sometimes and that's normal and you're perfect and wonderful and you don't have to be scared of people because I'll always protect you and Ted and I will do anything we can to make your life as happy as it can be? I've thought about this a lot.
DeleteThis book does sound pretty funny, and i love the cover. Hmmm... I can think of lots of things I'd like to TELL the cats (don't throw up on the carpet, stop meowing in the middle of the night, etc.) but I can't think of any questions. I'll think of some and get back to you.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to ask Zelda how she manages to be the loudest when she's the tiniest. LOL. Cats, man. Fuzzy little jerkfaces we love.
DeleteNone of those rules for naming cats apply to my cats' names. I think, by and large, that pets should have people names. The other things can be nicknames, but there's no dignity in naming a dog Poundcake or a cat Pickles or something.
ReplyDeleteI would ask my cats, "What will make you stop yowling at the door at 6 AM besides me getting up and feeding you way too early?" Or maybe, "Why do you wander all over the place when I'm trying to brush you as if inconveniencing me is part of the process?"
Maybe I'm answering my own questions, though.
one of my high school besties had a dog named Pickles, so this made me chuckle.
DeleteOH! Right. Zelda doesn't fit any of those categories, either. She's just a people name. I have to admit that I adore dogs with food names (Sloppy Joe! Lunchbox!), but cats seem somehow less silly and more elegant and it would be weird to know a cat named Sloppy Joe.
DeleteI used to love a children's book called The Fire Cat, about a cat that was always getting into trouble, but it turned out he just needed an important job to focus on to keep him out of trouble. He became a fire cat (worked at a fire house with the firefighters, I think he went and rescued cats in house fires, but it's been a long time.) His name was Pickles. I've always liked that name for a cat because of that book. Thinking back, did Pickles perhaps have ADD?
DeleteI do not have cats but I did really enjoy this dedication. The texture to your clothes due to cat fur made me laugh out loud. (and almost made me sneeze). I don't have pets to ask questions of, but Lad does. I think I'd ask Finn if he's doing OK living at Lad's house and not mine- but I'm afraid of the answer. ;)
ReplyDeleteAsking questions would be so dangerous. What if they said they hated you? Or hated their lives? Or didn't want to live with their pet siblings anymore?!
DeleteI loved Starter Villain! An amusing little book is a perfect description. Not high literature, but it definitely kept me entertained.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was entertaining the whole way through. Writing comedy is SO HARD and I feel like this really nailed it.
DeleteOoooh, fun! I went and got the audiobook before even leaving a comment! I would ask my cats why they're constantly trying to trip me by flopping down in front of me when I'm walking!
ReplyDeleteI desperately want to know why Zelda only likes the one toy. WHY THAT TOY?
DeleteI would ask Mulder why he so resisted going to the bathroom linoleum when he had to barf, and instead would pull with all of his might to do it on the carpet? Also, Why was he SUCH A GOOD BOY? (Trick question...that would just be an excuse to get his little tail to wag...)
ReplyDeleteWe have a theory that the dog and cat puke on the carpet instead of easier to clean surfaces because they can grip the carpet more easily. The cat, in particular, slides along smoother surfaces and I could see how she would easily end up in her own puke. That's my theory.
DeleteThis book is not one I would normally pick up but it sounds funny. I would ask my pooch two things: why do you eat poop (sorry, but he does)? and are you happy?
ReplyDeleteThey all eat poop, friend. They all do.
DeleteI follow John Scalzi on Bluesky and he's wonderful in his frankness. I'm adding this book to my list. If we still had the cats I'd ask: what's with barfing in the middle of the night? Don't you get enough attention during the day? 🤨
ReplyDeleteI mean, don't people barf in the middle of the night? You get sick when you get sick, Ally!!
Delete"Who's a Good Baby?" Is my go to question :).
ReplyDeleteScalzi has excellent politics and a longstanding and delightful blog. It hosted lots of debates in the earlier days of the internet and now showcases spec fic from newer writers. You may like it? https://whatever.scalzi.com/
Oh, interesting. I'd never heard of him before! It's fascinating to know he's sort of a man of the interwebs.
DeleteMy husband really loves John Scalzi's books. I haven't read any yet, but I keep thinking I should to see what he likes about them.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a pet now, but we used to have a cat and I'd love to ask him, "Where did you poop?"
This does seem like a book to recommend to dudes. It's good to have in my back pocket as a rec.
DeleteWait...what? I know exactly where my cat poops! What do you mean you don't know?!
My husband read this and I have it on my kindle... seems like I should probably try to read it!
ReplyDeleteIt's entertaining! If you need a diversion, it's worth a read.
DeleteThis is one I must get! Just for the cover if nothing else, but it sounds delightful. If I could ask Lizzie (age 13) one thing is would be "Why do you prefer using the puppy pads to your litter box, which is less than one foot away?
ReplyDeleteThe cover is magical. I am considering starting a collection of books featuring adorable cats dressed as people on the covers.
DeleteZero hat mentions, multiple cat mentions. Got it.
ReplyDeleteThe book in a nutshell!
DeleteI love John Scalzi, and books about cats, and this is definitely on my list. I would ask Lucy why in the name of all that's holy does she act like that around the cleaning lady.
ReplyDeleteLook, Allison, I don't want to scare you, but Lucy knows what's up. Your cleaning lady is sus with her vacuums and cleaners and things.
DeleteThe dedication is charming. I will not add this one to my TBR though.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a book for everyone, but I think the author is probably a good hang.
Delete