Obnoxious

A Dirty Job A Novel

Christopher Moore — 2006

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. Christopher Moore, the man whose Lamb served up Jesus' "missing years" (with the funny parts left in), and whose Fluke found the deep humor in whale researchers' lives, now shines his comic light on the undiscovered country we all eventually explore -- death and dying -- and the results are hilarious, heartwarming, and a hell of a lot of fun.

Reviews

Bria@ladspter

May 31, 2024

This is waaaaay better than I expected

Davina @fejiro

Nov 9, 2023

IM FREE FINALLY WORST EXPERIENCE EVER

Andrew John Kinney@numidica

Aug 18, 2023

This book is laugh out loud funny. But I'm trying to think how to give examples without also be a spoiler. Suffice to say, I've read almost all of Christopher Moore's books, and this is either his funniest or second funniest book.

Erik Wallace@erikwallace

Jul 26, 2023

Moore is truly an underrated author – this marks the fifth book of his I've read and I have yet to be let down. No other author I know of writes humor and dialog as well as Moore and his books are exceptionally clever. I highly recommend this, Lamb and Fluke.

Doug Belshaw@dajbelshaw

Apr 15, 2023

I'm not sure what to make of this book. I'd describe it as a cross between Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, but not as well-written. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it! Just goes to show what happens you ask ChatGPT for book recommendations :)

Jacalyn Boggs@ladyozma

Dec 8, 2022

While some predictable threads in this book stand out, overall the story entertained me. I did not mind the predictability too much, and found myself overjoyed at some interesting surprises. The story centers around your typical beta male second-hand shop owner in San Francisco. He discovers, after his wife's death, he is a death merchant. He gathers the vessel holding your soul at the time of your death and finds the next person you are to go into. Throw in the motley cast of a goth chef, pervert ex-cop, MInty Fresh the green clad death merchant, sewer harpies, two devilhounds, and a sister that loves to steal his clothes and you know you are in for a while ride. Did I mention the daughter that kills with the word "Kitty"? The book made me laugh, and I would recommend it.

Janna Niemi@allandanybooks

Oct 30, 2022

This book is definitely a peculiar one and I loved everything about it. The story itself was interesting and it never got really sad even though there was a lot of death and dark stuff happening. The characters are great and absolutely love Sophie. She is the cutest and I loved following her even though she is not the main character. The ending is surprising to say the least and still don’t like it. It’s just ruins the story a little bit.

Nickie Mohler@hazelreads1

Nov 18, 2021

Charlie Asher is a normal guy. Beta male, owns a secondhand shop, pretty average. Charlie and his wife Rachel have a baby, and the world changes. This book is hilarious!. I was tempted to stop reading and check out the audiobook. Lots of great characters, I especially liked Lily and Jane. Check it out, it's a fun read.

Anastaciya@anastaciya

Oct 27, 2021

Funny but unexpectedly dirty 🙈

Ben Nathan@benreadssff

Sep 15, 2021

I laughed out loud at least 10 times reading this. Do you need to know more?

Phil James@philjames

Sep 3, 2021

A nobody becomes, one day, a "death merchant". I've found a new favourite author, someone who makes me laugh as much as Terry Pratchett, Tom Robbins, or Douglas Adams yet wears his learning very lightly. I never felt that I was being lectured at, but saw underneath the hip cynicism a sacred respect for the dying.