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Octopope
- GenresBizarro FictionEbooks
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2011
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 4, 2012
Uh...Here's the problem:
In order to adequately describe the chaotically frenzied madcappery of this short, bizarro novelette, I would have to first bludgeon myself about the head with a large wooden mallet while ingesting heavy quantities of peyote, mescaline and Mountain Dew. Unfortunately, being fresh out of Mountain Dew, I’ll be forced to review this in my unaltered state of consciousness.
I’ll do my best.
So this is basically a bizarrofied Monty Python/Second City TV sketch skewering organized religion through the use of zany hijinkery, juvenile potty mouth, religious ritual bashing, and some cleverly piercing insight.
Parts of this are out loud laughingly funny,
Parts of this are courtesy smile-inducing, “nice try” misses,
Parts of this are eye-rolling, “you can do better” failures, and
Parts of this are ABSOtively brilliant and make the entire 50+ pages well worth reading.
PLOT SUMMARY:
Octopope is deadlong live Octopope and an irresponsible group of octocardinals hung over from another night of Holy Partying with the Holy Booze are informed that a new octopope must be chosen. None of the booze-swilling, authority-flaunting octocardinals wants the responsibility that goes with the job, but they all admit that Octopope’s room has some seriously smashing curtains and a nice big bed.
A dilemma indeed!
Through a corkscrewy set of nonsensical and increasingly confusing circumstances the dunce of the octocardinals, Wally, finds himself elected Octopope. Well it turns out Wally isn't just any Octopope... he is THE OCTOPOPE. As often happens, Power goes straight toWally’s Octopope’s head and he begins his reign by decreeing that the people of the world must, after they bring him a latte, “Be More Holy.”
From here, society descends into larger and larger clusters of fuck as the religions of Earth each interpret the vague, ambiguous commandment differently, to disastrous effect (hmm?). These interpretations take the form of everything from (and this is easily the most brilliant part of the story): evangelical stage shows in which the leader bangs people on the head and steals their wallets, to suicidal bombers strapping explosives to themselves and blowing up crowds of people.
Something must be done about the Octopope or the world will destroy itself…
THOUGHTS:
There is much that is silly about this and I was a bit put off by the over-indulgence in profanity because it seemed haphazardly smeared on to the story rather than carefully applied. Language rarely bothers me but there were more shits and fucks than you could find at an incontinent whorehouse and it just seemed a bit purposeless and distracting. Still, when this book hits its target, which it does a number of times, it is “oh yeah” awesome and a bag of chips. Fro example, one of my favorite moments from the story occurs when the narrator is describing the various ways people are interpreting the “Be More Holy” commandment like they are channels of reality TV:
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. The prose was sometimes raw and more like an unpolished draft and the ending left much to be desired, almost as if the author just ran out of words. It's not perfect. However, despite the rough spots, it made me laugh more than once and had some wonderfully clever insights. Given how short this is, and how enjoyable the overall experience was, this is definitely one I would recommend you take a chance on.
I think there is talent here.
3.0 stars. Recommended!!
In order to adequately describe the chaotically frenzied madcappery of this short, bizarro novelette, I would have to first bludgeon myself about the head with a large wooden mallet while ingesting heavy quantities of peyote, mescaline and Mountain Dew. Unfortunately, being fresh out of Mountain Dew, I’ll be forced to review this in my unaltered state of consciousness.
I’ll do my best.
So this is basically a bizarrofied Monty Python/Second City TV sketch skewering organized religion through the use of zany hijinkery, juvenile potty mouth, religious ritual bashing, and some cleverly piercing insight.
Parts of this are out loud laughingly funny,
Parts of this are courtesy smile-inducing, “nice try” misses,
Parts of this are eye-rolling, “you can do better” failures, and
Parts of this are ABSOtively brilliant and make the entire 50+ pages well worth reading.
PLOT SUMMARY:
Octopope is dead
A dilemma indeed!
Through a corkscrewy set of nonsensical and increasingly confusing circumstances the dunce of the octocardinals, Wally, finds himself elected Octopope. Well it turns out Wally isn't just any Octopope... he is THE OCTOPOPE. As often happens, Power goes straight to
From here, society descends into larger and larger clusters of fuck as the religions of Earth each interpret the vague, ambiguous commandment differently, to disastrous effect (hmm?). These interpretations take the form of everything from (and this is easily the most brilliant part of the story): evangelical stage shows in which the leader bangs people on the head and steals their wallets, to suicidal bombers strapping explosives to themselves and blowing up crowds of people.
Something must be done about the Octopope or the world will destroy itself…
THOUGHTS:
There is much that is silly about this and I was a bit put off by the over-indulgence in profanity because it seemed haphazardly smeared on to the story rather than carefully applied. Language rarely bothers me but there were more shits and fucks than you could find at an incontinent whorehouse and it just seemed a bit purposeless and distracting. Still, when this book hits its target, which it does a number of times, it is “oh yeah” awesome and a bag of chips. Fro example, one of my favorite moments from the story occurs when the narrator is describing the various ways people are interpreting the “Be More Holy” commandment like they are channels of reality TV:
Channel: 10: And more assholes standing around with signs like ‘Octopope Hates You’ and ‘We’re Better than You’. That sorta pissed me off, until one of the guys from Channel 6 [The Suicide Bomber channel] came over, pissed on them, and blew up. Then I cracked-fuckin’-up. Things tend to sort themselves out.It was during this portion of the story that I knew the author had something to say with the tale.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. The prose was sometimes raw and more like an unpolished draft and the ending left much to be desired, almost as if the author just ran out of words. It's not perfect. However, despite the rough spots, it made me laugh more than once and had some wonderfully clever insights. Given how short this is, and how enjoyable the overall experience was, this is definitely one I would recommend you take a chance on.
I think there is talent here.
3.0 stars. Recommended!!
January 11, 2014
Probably the most common words in this story are "and shit", which is actually quite fitting as it amounts to little concept and a ton of filler. An honestly impressive amount of swearing, which I generally don't mind at all, but there's swearing for setting and character, and there's swearing to shock and fill pages (this being the second). There are a number of authors whom have mastered this style (which is brilliant when done correctly, and a total fucking train wreck when not), but this is sounds like a 12-year-old boy on weed and speed, scribbling and giggling to himself in a closet. One, maybe two good lines, a glaringly obvious overall jab at organized religion, and the rest is nothing but swearing and caps. To sum it all up in the story's own style: it's boring AS FUCK!
July 30, 2013
Very amusing yet short novella that pokes fun at organized religion, mainly Catholicism. I love how Octopope refers to Octopope's followers as sheep who will do what ever he says even if it doesn't make any sense.
Octopope is laugh out loud funny and I agree that it does feel like a Monty Python skit if they were octopuses. In order to fully appreciate this novella it's important to have an open mind. if you don't you'll be easily offended and will more than likely hate this book.
The ending did hint at a sequel so hopefully at some point we'll get to find out if there was in fact a flood and most importantly what happens to Octopope. Octopope demands it
Octopope is laugh out loud funny and I agree that it does feel like a Monty Python skit if they were octopuses. In order to fully appreciate this novella it's important to have an open mind. if you don't you'll be easily offended and will more than likely hate this book.
The ending did hint at a sequel so hopefully at some point we'll get to find out if there was in fact a flood and most importantly what happens to Octopope. Octopope demands it
January 2, 2014
Uhm.. how about no.
October 18, 2021
This was completely awful from cover to cover. Luckily it was also short.
March 28, 2012
"Octopope!" is in fact about octopuses choosing a new pope. Now you're probably thinking 'wuh?' and I can totally understand that, but there's much more to John Smallberries' story than that. First of all the story is downright hilarious, quick and fun to read. Most of the characters are very apathetic or just moronic which, while lending to the humor also shows undercurrents influenced by our own dumb society. I can't really give out much of the plot without ruining anything. Rest assured that everything promised in the product description is delivered.
I'm still not sure if John Smallberries is a real person or not but I do look forward to reading more from him as well as more "Octopope!" sequels.
I'm still not sure if John Smallberries is a real person or not but I do look forward to reading more from him as well as more "Octopope!" sequels.
November 5, 2011
This is a fabulous take on organized religion and what can happen when a vague order from a religious leader is interpreted in wildly different ways. The characters are engaging and the dialogue is witty and sharp. There are whispers of A. Lee Martinez and Terry Pratchett throughout this piece. My only beef with this story is that there doesn't seem to be a ending. The story just stops at an awkward point without resolution. Perhaps there is a sequel coming. I love this author's prose and dialogue and hope that there is more on the way from him soon.
November 2, 2011
Octopope! is like Monty Python's version of Kerouac's On The Road. The writing is fast paced and fun. I can't wait to see more stories from this guy!
January 18, 2012
HILARIOUS.
My favorite line ...
"Andy suggested 'Land of Confusion', but Dick insisted that Genesis died when Peter Habriel left and beat him with a stick."
My favorite line ...
"Andy suggested 'Land of Confusion', but Dick insisted that Genesis died when Peter Habriel left and beat him with a stick."
January 28, 2015
It was only a dollar. I had to.
December 18, 2012
I didn't want this to end! I was really enjoying it - crazy, fun, irreverent and hugely blasphemous!
I really hope to see more from this writer, and more on the adventures of Octopope!
I really hope to see more from this writer, and more on the adventures of Octopope!
November 26, 2013
People who didn't like this book were dropped on their heads as babies...
March 12, 2014
This is a very strange book, a short and strange book.
October 4, 2012
Hell yes!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews