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What In God's Name
From the Sunsets Department and Geyser Regulation to the Department of Miracles, Heaven Inc has the earth covered. Unless someone is away from their desk. And these days, the CEO is kind of disillusioned. God knows he should be keeping an eye on the bad things happening on Earth, but instead he finds himself watching the Church channels on satellite TV. His first priority is the team of angels he's asked to get Lynyrd Skynyrd back together. Downstairs on the office floor, Eliza has been promoted from the Prayers Department to Miracles, and Craig, the only other workaholic in heaven, has to show her around. Eliza is shocked by the casual attitude of many of the angels in her new department. And she's furious when she discovers that God has never looked at, let alone answered, a single prayer. So she storms into God's office and asks Him a question that no one has ever dared to ask before. And it might just be the end of the world.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2012
225 people are currently reading
8037 people want to read
About the author
Simon Rich
29 books1,072 followersSimon Rich (born 1984) is an American humorist whose first book, Ant Farm and Other Desperate Situations, was published by Random House in April 2007.
Rich is an alumnus of The Dalton School and a former president of The Harvard Lampoon, and the son of The New York Times editorialist Frank Rich. He received a two book contract from Random House prior to his graduation from Harvard University in 2007.
His first book, Ant Farm and Other Desperate Situations, has been described as a collection of "giddy what-if scenarios". Excerpts of the book were printed in The New Yorker's "Shouts and Murmurs" column. His second book, Free Range Chickens, was published in 2008. His first novel, Elliot Allagash was released in May of 2010, followed by What in God’s Name and most recently, The Last Girlfriend on Earth, a collection of short stories about love.
He is currently a writer for Saturday Night Live.
Rich is an alumnus of The Dalton School and a former president of The Harvard Lampoon, and the son of The New York Times editorialist Frank Rich. He received a two book contract from Random House prior to his graduation from Harvard University in 2007.
His first book, Ant Farm and Other Desperate Situations, has been described as a collection of "giddy what-if scenarios". Excerpts of the book were printed in The New Yorker's "Shouts and Murmurs" column. His second book, Free Range Chickens, was published in 2008. His first novel, Elliot Allagash was released in May of 2010, followed by What in God’s Name and most recently, The Last Girlfriend on Earth, a collection of short stories about love.
He is currently a writer for Saturday Night Live.
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August 16, 2012
You know that rom com that's in heavy rotation on that basic cable channel? The one with the "charming" pratfalls and reheated Simpsons jokes and magical ethnic secondary characters who have amusing grammar and exist to help out the hapless leads? But you watch it to the end because it's super short? Yeah, this is that.
February 6, 2022
- He clearly has a dark streak in his life. You can see for yourself, the guy is only twenty-three.
"Do you know who else was twenty-three?" Alexander the Great, when he conquered the whole world known to him.
Comparison with Alexander the Great, for sure, is not the most stimulating procedure for self-esteem. As in general, comparison with any more successful person than you. Positive psychology teaches that if it makes sense to compare yourself with someone, then only with yourself a year, five, seven years ago: you don't get younger, more beautiful, in most cases, too, but knowledge, skills, skills, improvement in the chosen field - if you continue to move towards the goal all this time, the results will please.
Like Craig, who regularly receives the title of "angel of the month" at Heaven Inc (Heaven Incorporated), where he works as a miracle worker angel. You know this when you run to the bus and are already five meters away from it, and he has closed the door and is ready to move away from the stop, but suddenly the driver notices you in the rearview mirror and you have time. Do you think it happens by itself? But no, it's an angel, somewhere in heaven, created a miracle.
"Too much for me," you say, "A miracle. If only a previously childless woman had suddenly given birth to triplets. Or not - a gear. That would be a miracle!" This also happened once, and the angel Vincent who created this spectacular outrage was even promoted to archangel. And the well-being of the mother, the viability of the children, not to mention the care of so many screaming babies - it's not interesting to anyone.
Трудно быть ангелом
- У него явно в жизни черная полоса. Сама видишь, парню всего двадцать три.
– А знаешь, кому еще было двадцать три? Александру Македонскому, когда он завоевал весь известный ему мир.
Сравнение с Александром Македонским, точно, не самая стимулирующая для самооценки процедура. Как вообще сопоставление с любым более успешным, чем ты, человеком. Позитивная психология учит, что если имеет смысл с кем-то себя сравнивать, то единственно с собой самим год, пять, семь лет назад: моложе не становишься, красивее, в большинстве случаев, тоже, но знания, умения, навыки, совершенствование в выбранной области - если все это время продолжать движение к поставленной цели, результаты порадуют.
Как Крейга, который регулярно получает звание "ангел месяца" в корпорации Heaven Inc (Небеса Инкорпорейтед), где подвизается на должности ангела-чудотворца. Это знаете, когда бежишь на автобус и уже в пяти метрах от него, а он закрыл дверь и готов отойти от остановки, но вдруг водитель в зеркало заднего вида замечает тебя и ты успеваешь. Думаете, само собой случается? А вот и нет, это ангел, где-то на небесах, сотворил чудо.
"Тоже мне, - скажете, - Чудо. Вот если бы бездетная прежде женщина вдруг родила тройню. Или нет - шестерню. То было бы чудо!" Такое тоже случилось однажды, и сотворивший это зрелищное безобразие ангел Винсент даже повышен до архангела. А самочувствие матери, жизнеспособность детей, уж не говоря об уходе за таким числом орущих младенцев - это никому не интересно.
Что делать, на небесах все как на земле: можешь день за днем совершать маленькие филигранные чудеса и получать за это раз в месяц звание ангела месяца с купоном на бесплатную пиццу в кафетерии, а можешь однажды сделать что-то уродливое и топорное, но масштабное, прорваться в высшую лигу с рыбой фугу, приготовленной лучшим поваром. Каждый день и практически бесплатно. Но Крейг не будет сравнивать себя с Винсом, мы ведь помним из позитивной психологии, что делать этого не стоит.
И все идет своим чередом, пока не появляется молодая ангел Элизабет. Для нее отдел чудес повышение. Прежде, в самом нижнем звене - молитвенном, именно она придумала сортировать молитвы по степени важности, а требующие срочного божественного вмешательства подчеркивать красным. Ну, чтобы Он сразу видел, на что обратить первоочередное внимание. Элизабет, которую прикрепляют к Крейгу как практикантку.
А она такая, горит на работе, готова даже презреть субординацию в случае, который представляется безотлагательным. Помните это: "Врывается к Богу, плачет, боится. что опоздал, целует его жилистую руку, просит, чтобы..." Врывается в высочайший кабинет и видит плоды своих красночернильных трудов, сваленные в кучу у дальней стены, начальство за все это время не удосужилось даже взглянуть в их сторону. И дерзкая девчонка бросает Ему в лицо, что при таком отношении к работе. не лучше ли подумать об отставке?
Он думает, тем более. что проект "Человечество" давно считает разочаровывающим. И принимает решение к пятнице испепелить Землю. Упс. Не этого мы хотели. И теперь уже Крейг бьет челом, заручаясь обещанием, что если до того времени двое из этих гадких неблагодарных созданий искренне полюбят друг друга и подтвердят свои чувства поцелуем, армагеддец отменится. Делайте ваши ставки, господа.
Дело за малым - свести двух самых неуверенных в себе лузеров, которые давно питают друг к другу нежные чувства. И нет, если вы подумали, что это будет легко, вы сильно ошиблись. Я не назвала бы "Чудотворцев" книгой десятилетия (книгой года, месяца и даже недели не назвала бы тоже), но там была пара моментов. которые заставили смеяться, и один уморительно смешной - где Лоре дозваниваются разные люди, принимая ее телефон за номер Радио 101.
Саймон Рич написал славную книгу, забавную и милую. И сериал по ней, говорят, очень недурной.
"Do you know who else was twenty-three?" Alexander the Great, when he conquered the whole world known to him.
Comparison with Alexander the Great, for sure, is not the most stimulating procedure for self-esteem. As in general, comparison with any more successful person than you. Positive psychology teaches that if it makes sense to compare yourself with someone, then only with yourself a year, five, seven years ago: you don't get younger, more beautiful, in most cases, too, but knowledge, skills, skills, improvement in the chosen field - if you continue to move towards the goal all this time, the results will please.
Like Craig, who regularly receives the title of "angel of the month" at Heaven Inc (Heaven Incorporated), where he works as a miracle worker angel. You know this when you run to the bus and are already five meters away from it, and he has closed the door and is ready to move away from the stop, but suddenly the driver notices you in the rearview mirror and you have time. Do you think it happens by itself? But no, it's an angel, somewhere in heaven, created a miracle.
"Too much for me," you say, "A miracle. If only a previously childless woman had suddenly given birth to triplets. Or not - a gear. That would be a miracle!" This also happened once, and the angel Vincent who created this spectacular outrage was even promoted to archangel. And the well-being of the mother, the viability of the children, not to mention the care of so many screaming babies - it's not interesting to anyone.
Трудно быть ангелом
- У него явно в жизни черная полоса. Сама видишь, парню всего двадцать три.
– А знаешь, кому еще было двадцать три? Александру Македонскому, когда он завоевал весь известный ему мир.
Сравнение с Александром Македонским, точно, не самая стимулирующая для самооценки процедура. Как вообще сопоставление с любым более успешным, чем ты, человеком. Позитивная психология учит, что если имеет смысл с кем-то себя сравнивать, то единственно с собой самим год, пять, семь лет назад: моложе не становишься, красивее, в большинстве случаев, тоже, но знания, умения, навыки, совершенствование в выбранной области - если все это время продолжать движение к поставленной цели, результаты порадуют.
Как Крейга, который регулярно получает звание "ангел месяца" в корпорации Heaven Inc (Небеса Инкорпорейтед), где подвизается на должности ангела-чудотворца. Это знаете, когда бежишь на автобус и уже в пяти метрах от него, а он закрыл дверь и готов отойти от остановки, но вдруг водитель в зеркало заднего вида замечает тебя и ты успеваешь. Думаете, само собой случается? А вот и нет, это ангел, где-то на небесах, сотворил чудо.
"Тоже мне, - скажете, - Чудо. Вот если бы бездетная прежде женщина вдруг родила тройню. Или нет - шестерню. То было бы чудо!" Такое тоже случилось однажды, и сотворивший это зрелищное безобразие ангел Винсент даже повышен до архангела. А самочувствие матери, жизнеспособность детей, уж не говоря об уходе за таким числом орущих младенцев - это никому не интересно.
Что делать, на небесах все как на земле: можешь день за днем совершать маленькие филигранные чудеса и получать за это раз в месяц звание ангела месяца с купоном на бесплатную пиццу в кафетерии, а можешь однажды сделать что-то уродливое и топорное, но масштабное, прорваться в высшую лигу с рыбой фугу, приготовленной лучшим поваром. Каждый день и практически бесплатно. Но Крейг не будет сравнивать себя с Винсом, мы ведь помним из позитивной психологии, что делать этого не стоит.
И все идет своим чередом, пока не появляется молодая ангел Элизабет. Для нее отдел чудес повышение. Прежде, в самом нижнем звене - молитвенном, именно она придумала сортировать молитвы по степени важности, а требующие срочного божественного вмешательства подчеркивать красным. Ну, чтобы Он сразу видел, на что обратить первоочередное внимание. Элизабет, которую прикрепляют к Крейгу как практикантку.
А она такая, горит на работе, готова даже презреть субординацию в случае, который представляется безотлагательным. Помните это: "Врывается к Богу, плачет, боится. что опоздал, целует его жилистую руку, просит, чтобы..." Врывается в высочайший кабинет и видит плоды своих красночернильных трудов, сваленные в кучу у дальней стены, начальство за все это время не удосужилось даже взглянуть в их сторону. И дерзкая девчонка бросает Ему в лицо, что при таком отношении к работе. не лучше ли подумать об отставке?
Он думает, тем более. что проект "Человечество" давно считает разочаровывающим. И принимает решение к пятнице испепелить Землю. Упс. Не этого мы хотели. И теперь уже Крейг бьет челом, заручаясь обещанием, что если до того времени двое из этих гадких неблагодарных созданий искренне полюбят друг друга и подтвердят свои чувства поцелуем, армагеддец отменится. Делайте ваши ставки, господа.
Дело за малым - свести двух самых неуверенных в себе лузеров, которые давно питают друг к другу нежные чувства. И нет, если вы подумали, что это будет легко, вы сильно ошиблись. Я не назвала бы "Чудотворцев" книгой десятилетия (книгой года, месяца и даже недели не назвала бы тоже), но там была пара моментов. которые заставили смеяться, и один уморительно смешной - где Лоре дозваниваются разные люди, принимая ее телефон за номер Радио 101.
Саймон Рич написал славную книгу, забавную и милую. И сериал по ней, говорят, очень недурной.
May 22, 2013
Okay, the premise of this book might sound a little cheesy. Let's face it, we live in a world where some dopey 4 year-old gets brainwashed by his even dopier dad regarding his experience in heaven, and all of a sudden we've got a runaway bestseller. Or some jackoff gets hit by an 18-wheeler and then lets us know what heaven is like, and we decide to buy that one too.
It seems a little odd to me that the only people who seem to glimpse heaven are those who have lost 90% of their vital fluids or haven't been breathing for the last couple hours. I mean, I get less than 9 hours of sleep in a night and I have all kinds of side effects, but you don't see me writing a book about them. Granted, a book about having to crap twice as frequently and getting inexplicable midday boners might not be a page-turner, but goddamnit at least it's honest.
What In God's Name is about some angels who have a few days to make a miracle happen, otherwise God is planning to destroy the Earth. Mostly because he's kind of over it, but also because he's moved on to the idea of running a really kickass Asian-Fusion restaurant.
This book probably contains my favorite portrayal of God ever. Not only because he spends an inordinate amount of resources getting Lynyrd Skynyrd back together, a project that, if successful, would definitely go a long way towards proving the existence of this Free-Bird-Loving Atheist. He's not malicious. He just sort of seems like the upper-upper boss of most big companies, fairly detached from the day-to-day in a way that's sort of shocking but also HAS to be the only way his existence makes any sense whatsoever.
The book reads like a romcom that, if made into a movie, I could handle. The characters aren't overly attractive so much as they are compatible, the funny parts are actually funny and not based on some ridiculous machinations that result a father in law walking in on a guy who is trying to feed a dog worm medicine, but when the father-in-law walks in it somehow looks like the guy is fucking the dog. And there are even a couple nice moments.
In fact, this would make an excellent movie. However, I would like to make a short list of actors I'd like to ban from participating in any major roles:
Katherine Heigl: Enough already. I'll admit, I was fooled by her...assets. By which I mean boobsets. But no more. I've grown up.
Reese Witherspoon: The prettier but unfunny Amy Poehler? No thanks.
Gerard Butler: The more shitty movies this guy makes, the harder it is for me to enjoy the homoeroticism of 300 in a completely hetero way.
Bradley Cooper: I like how he did a movie about doing a drug that made him a better person in every way. That's the guy who needs it, the one who's going from a 9.8 to a 9.9.
Sandra Bullock: Am I the only one who remembers the Net? Fondly?
Jennifer Aniston: I blame her for the stupid fliptop on Smart Water. That thing is dumb. I don't want to drink from a baby bottle. I want to drink from an adult bottle, which is made of glass and usable as a stabbing implement in a pinch.
It seems a little odd to me that the only people who seem to glimpse heaven are those who have lost 90% of their vital fluids or haven't been breathing for the last couple hours. I mean, I get less than 9 hours of sleep in a night and I have all kinds of side effects, but you don't see me writing a book about them. Granted, a book about having to crap twice as frequently and getting inexplicable midday boners might not be a page-turner, but goddamnit at least it's honest.
What In God's Name is about some angels who have a few days to make a miracle happen, otherwise God is planning to destroy the Earth. Mostly because he's kind of over it, but also because he's moved on to the idea of running a really kickass Asian-Fusion restaurant.
This book probably contains my favorite portrayal of God ever. Not only because he spends an inordinate amount of resources getting Lynyrd Skynyrd back together, a project that, if successful, would definitely go a long way towards proving the existence of this Free-Bird-Loving Atheist. He's not malicious. He just sort of seems like the upper-upper boss of most big companies, fairly detached from the day-to-day in a way that's sort of shocking but also HAS to be the only way his existence makes any sense whatsoever.
The book reads like a romcom that, if made into a movie, I could handle. The characters aren't overly attractive so much as they are compatible, the funny parts are actually funny and not based on some ridiculous machinations that result a father in law walking in on a guy who is trying to feed a dog worm medicine, but when the father-in-law walks in it somehow looks like the guy is fucking the dog. And there are even a couple nice moments.
In fact, this would make an excellent movie. However, I would like to make a short list of actors I'd like to ban from participating in any major roles:
Katherine Heigl: Enough already. I'll admit, I was fooled by her...assets. By which I mean boobsets. But no more. I've grown up.
Reese Witherspoon: The prettier but unfunny Amy Poehler? No thanks.
Gerard Butler: The more shitty movies this guy makes, the harder it is for me to enjoy the homoeroticism of 300 in a completely hetero way.
Bradley Cooper: I like how he did a movie about doing a drug that made him a better person in every way. That's the guy who needs it, the one who's going from a 9.8 to a 9.9.
Sandra Bullock: Am I the only one who remembers the Net? Fondly?
Jennifer Aniston: I blame her for the stupid fliptop on Smart Water. That thing is dumb. I don't want to drink from a baby bottle. I want to drink from an adult bottle, which is made of glass and usable as a stabbing implement in a pinch.
April 13, 2025
Drink up. The world’s about to come to an end.
When a story starts off with a God bored by real-world events and favoring a kind of spiritual porn, then you know you’re in for a ripping good time. The end of the world has never seemed so funny as God decides to cash in his chips and leave the table while two Angels bank everything on one last desperate throw of the dice.
The scramble to save the world by getting two socially inept losers to exchange a kiss gets ever more frantic as the clock ticks down; the pacing gets faster and the story never flags as the reader flips through each page, reading about the awkward, fat Sam and the nondescript Laura who couldn’t manage to be the smart one, the brainy one, the athletic one or the artistic one, to the despair of her well-meaning but frustrated parents.
I found myself racing through this book as I wondered whether the Angels would get these two together, laughing as God tried to get his Asian-fusion restaurant running and rolling my eyes at the antics of God’s chosen prophet, a tin-foil wrapped, crazy-looking ranting hobo with a sign, just the type of nutso that human beings never heed. This was such an excellent novel that I read it in one day and instantly wanted to start again In the Beginning.
When a story starts off with a God bored by real-world events and favoring a kind of spiritual porn, then you know you’re in for a ripping good time. The end of the world has never seemed so funny as God decides to cash in his chips and leave the table while two Angels bank everything on one last desperate throw of the dice.
The scramble to save the world by getting two socially inept losers to exchange a kiss gets ever more frantic as the clock ticks down; the pacing gets faster and the story never flags as the reader flips through each page, reading about the awkward, fat Sam and the nondescript Laura who couldn’t manage to be the smart one, the brainy one, the athletic one or the artistic one, to the despair of her well-meaning but frustrated parents.
I found myself racing through this book as I wondered whether the Angels would get these two together, laughing as God tried to get his Asian-fusion restaurant running and rolling my eyes at the antics of God’s chosen prophet, a tin-foil wrapped, crazy-looking ranting hobo with a sign, just the type of nutso that human beings never heed. This was such an excellent novel that I read it in one day and instantly wanted to start again In the Beginning.
April 20, 2013
The best fictional depiction of God I've come across since Alanis Morrissette was in that Kevin Smith movie. I laughed out loud, which I almost never do, being old and somewhat bitter and stuff. Amazing. I even stopped watching Pawn Stars so I could finish this. Which never happens.
January 21, 2013
Heaven Inc is a big company and God is its CEO. He's an ideas man who spends most of his day in his swanky office watching baseball and NASCAR. His Angels spend their time arranging miracles where they nudge small details of life to try to make humans end up with happy results. They are able to watch any episode of history from multiple angles and therefore spend their time fascinated by the love lives of Americans. Africa gets two mentions - Nigerian e-mail scammers and a Tanzanian farmer whose horse explodes (no cities and tractors in Africa), and Asia is a type of food. The Angels all speak English but no worries if they want to look at someone in Europe - there are subtitles available. The technology available to the Angels is that of the present day, although there is a mention that before e-mails Heaven ran on faxes. So nothing terribly eternal here. And God and Heaven are venal.
At first, this really grates. It feels as though Simon Rich believes he lives in the ultimate country with the ultimate culture and the ultimate technology. Sure, he mocks his own society by making God look superficial, but at heart it is still as sense of mocking perfection. But bear with it and there is a story underneath of trying to use miracles to get two humans to love each other. OK, it's not much but it is better than nothing. And because the novel is so short, it doesn't particularly outstay its welcome. It's light, it's fluff and it passes the time. But there's nothing deep. No real hidden message - although if you wanted to stretch a point you might try to say it shows how miraculous it can be to find a life partner. There are no real insights into humankind or spirituality. And it is gratingly mono-cultural.
At first, this really grates. It feels as though Simon Rich believes he lives in the ultimate country with the ultimate culture and the ultimate technology. Sure, he mocks his own society by making God look superficial, but at heart it is still as sense of mocking perfection. But bear with it and there is a story underneath of trying to use miracles to get two humans to love each other. OK, it's not much but it is better than nothing. And because the novel is so short, it doesn't particularly outstay its welcome. It's light, it's fluff and it passes the time. But there's nothing deep. No real hidden message - although if you wanted to stretch a point you might try to say it shows how miraculous it can be to find a life partner. There are no real insights into humankind or spirituality. And it is gratingly mono-cultural.
June 22, 2020
I really liked this book. It had an interesting premise, was really funny, and is solidly 3 stars. Despite my enjoyment, I can't really give it more than 3 stars. The premise was great and that's what carried the whole story. The actual characters felt a bit hollow. I wish this were a series (maybe an anthology series?) though because I loved the idea of Heaven Inc. and the Department of Miracles. I enjoyed the story enough that I'll probably check out other books by the author, but honestly this just made me super excited to watch the TV adaptation.
February 7, 2019
This was an extremely quick, enjoyable read! Very funny but with a nice heart/sweetness too.
October 18, 2012
Fun book.
Definitely something different and refreshingly so.
What if God just decided he wanted to do something else instead of taking care of humans any longer? And what if an Angel made a bet that if he could get two socially awkward, shy people to kiss then God would not destroy the world?
The characters were entertaining, from bored God to his mostly naked prophet Raoul to the Angels, Craig and Eliza, and my favorites, the Archangel Vince and the human, Raj. The will all attempt to save the world, some knowlingly and some not. Will any of them succeed? Well, that would be telling now, wouldn't it?
There are two storylines, the angels trying to bring the two humans together and their own interactions. Each plot is developed just enough to care about the characters and who doesn't care about the end of the world?
The Angels have various computer programs that allow them to measure compatability, revisit any moment in history or just a single person's life. The world of Heaven, Inc is well crafted.
This isn't laugh out loud funny(although there were a few of those moments), but more thoughtfully funny. It just works.
There is also a subtle message of not letting time go by because who knows when your last day will be. This is not a "message book" though so don't think it is preachy or trying to convince you of anything. It is just thoughtful.
Great change-of-pace read.
Definitely something different and refreshingly so.
What if God just decided he wanted to do something else instead of taking care of humans any longer? And what if an Angel made a bet that if he could get two socially awkward, shy people to kiss then God would not destroy the world?
The characters were entertaining, from bored God to his mostly naked prophet Raoul to the Angels, Craig and Eliza, and my favorites, the Archangel Vince and the human, Raj. The will all attempt to save the world, some knowlingly and some not. Will any of them succeed? Well, that would be telling now, wouldn't it?
There are two storylines, the angels trying to bring the two humans together and their own interactions. Each plot is developed just enough to care about the characters and who doesn't care about the end of the world?
The Angels have various computer programs that allow them to measure compatability, revisit any moment in history or just a single person's life. The world of Heaven, Inc is well crafted.
This isn't laugh out loud funny(although there were a few of those moments), but more thoughtfully funny. It just works.
There is also a subtle message of not letting time go by because who knows when your last day will be. This is not a "message book" though so don't think it is preachy or trying to convince you of anything. It is just thoughtful.
Great change-of-pace read.
September 18, 2019
"Craig peeked at God's desk calendar. In the October 3 square he'd written a memo to himself: "Don't forget: destroy Earth (fire?)" In the October 4 square he'd written "Restaurant opens!" and drawn several smiley faces."
*points at it* that's my jam!! 🍓 I love this type of concepts and the humor they're usually delivered through. I admit though that I loved the tv show far more than I did this particular book: in the tv series God's motivations are rendered far better, he looks genuinely lost and tired of having to deal with a Earth that is in shambles and that either relies on him way too much or that has stopped believing in a greater power a long time ago.
"Recently one of the humans, Richard something, had written an entire book saying he didn't exist. [...] God tried to read the book, but it hurt his feelings so much he had to stop after just a few pages. The blurb on the jacket said the author was a "fiery intellectual", but really he was just plain mean."
The God in this book is an uncaring jerk and maybe this was the author's intent all along but I didn't feel like anything was at stake for him, whenever he'd have a sudden change of heart, a wave of fondness for the planet and the humans that he himself designed, it didn't make much sense to me, it was just written on paper with no true depth.
The general concept though is great! I loved how the author crafted Heaven and the various tasks Angels had to undertake. Craig and Eliza's job was so entertaining to witness and I'm glad that the underlying romantic tension didn't overtake their overall role in saving Earth from Doomsday.
"Asking someone out is 'Do you want to go on a date with me?' It's not 'Do you want to grab a coffee?' I mean, you ask me that five times a day.
Craig's face reddened. After a moment so did Eliza's.
^ Even though I'm viciously against forced romance, this was cute, they were dumb, but this was cute.
Overall, this was a nice read, if there was the half star option on Goodreads I'd have given it a 3.5 star rating. If you haven't watched the show you must as well, it's so creative and visually pleasing, I adore it!!
📚 POPSUGAR | Reading Challenge 2019: A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters ( → a countdown to Doomsday)
*points at it* that's my jam!! 🍓 I love this type of concepts and the humor they're usually delivered through. I admit though that I loved the tv show far more than I did this particular book: in the tv series God's motivations are rendered far better, he looks genuinely lost and tired of having to deal with a Earth that is in shambles and that either relies on him way too much or that has stopped believing in a greater power a long time ago.
"Recently one of the humans, Richard something, had written an entire book saying he didn't exist. [...] God tried to read the book, but it hurt his feelings so much he had to stop after just a few pages. The blurb on the jacket said the author was a "fiery intellectual", but really he was just plain mean."
The God in this book is an uncaring jerk and maybe this was the author's intent all along but I didn't feel like anything was at stake for him, whenever he'd have a sudden change of heart, a wave of fondness for the planet and the humans that he himself designed, it didn't make much sense to me, it was just written on paper with no true depth.
The general concept though is great! I loved how the author crafted Heaven and the various tasks Angels had to undertake. Craig and Eliza's job was so entertaining to witness and I'm glad that the underlying romantic tension didn't overtake their overall role in saving Earth from Doomsday.
"Asking someone out is 'Do you want to go on a date with me?' It's not 'Do you want to grab a coffee?' I mean, you ask me that five times a day.
Craig's face reddened. After a moment so did Eliza's.
^ Even though I'm viciously against forced romance, this was cute, they were dumb, but this was cute.
Overall, this was a nice read, if there was the half star option on Goodreads I'd have given it a 3.5 star rating. If you haven't watched the show you must as well, it's so creative and visually pleasing, I adore it!!
📚 POPSUGAR | Reading Challenge 2019: A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters ( → a countdown to Doomsday)
February 15, 2025
I really liked this. The rare comedy book that's actually funny. I laughed out loud several times. It was also very earnest, there was a suprisingly heartwarming message to it too. I really liked the plot, the characters. No notes. Seth Meyers mention in the acknowledgements. What more could a girl ask for.
May 12, 2024
I watched the TV show first and enjoyed it. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the book just as much. Even though I knew what was going to happen and how it was going to happen, I was still laughing all the way through, and holding my breath at the end. Highly recommend!
May 15, 2018
Celestial powers trying to influence earthly events...an amusing read.
February 11, 2018
I first read this book because I was reading all of Simon Rich's short story books. I did not realize this was a novel when I picked it up and it did surprise me. In a lot of his books he wrights hilarious short stories about God and heaven. This novel was almost his nod to all of those. He takes a lot of small things from his stories. There is one small point about an arc angle who was responsible for a sextuplet birth.
Overall the story told was funny and original. Some parts were told through the the perspectives of the angles trying to stop the end of the world by making two humans fall in love, such was no small feat. The rest was told through the eyes of two desperate awkward humans who were both too afraid to make the first move. This book was neat perfect except for the fact that it made it hard to tell past, present, and future from one another.
I recommend this book to anyone who needs something to laugh at and be intrigued with for a long period of time. Although if you have strong religious ideologies and are easily offended read with caution. This book definitely portrays God in a way not everyone will agree with.
Overall the story told was funny and original. Some parts were told through the the perspectives of the angles trying to stop the end of the world by making two humans fall in love, such was no small feat. The rest was told through the eyes of two desperate awkward humans who were both too afraid to make the first move. This book was neat perfect except for the fact that it made it hard to tell past, present, and future from one another.
I recommend this book to anyone who needs something to laugh at and be intrigued with for a long period of time. Although if you have strong religious ideologies and are easily offended read with caution. This book definitely portrays God in a way not everyone will agree with.
March 7, 2015
I read this book because my book club voted for it. I would not have picked it up otherwise, knowing from the synopsis that it wasn't for me. But that's part of the beauty of book club, right? To perhaps get out of your element? At any rate, this turned out to be a very light book - a fast read with characters that were not particularly well developed. The premise is clever enough, but to me it reads with a very "jock," slapstick, frat house sense of humor that I don't really enjoy. As some sort of office comedy with a twist it is a mildly amusing read. Very predictable.
However, the portrayal of the god character in this book bothers me a lot. I understand that it is fiction and sardonic, but it made me cringe to read this incredibly unflattering, inaccurate interpretation. Imagine your own mother is famous and happens to be really wonderful but someone write all these awful things about her that aren't true, just as an attempt at humor. Again, this is why I would not have read this book if my book club hadn't chosen it.
However, the portrayal of the god character in this book bothers me a lot. I understand that it is fiction and sardonic, but it made me cringe to read this incredibly unflattering, inaccurate interpretation. Imagine your own mother is famous and happens to be really wonderful but someone write all these awful things about her that aren't true, just as an attempt at humor. Again, this is why I would not have read this book if my book club hadn't chosen it.
July 17, 2019
Můžu vám říkat, že to byla v podstatě blbost, v které se andělé snaží dát dohromady dva socially awkward dospěláky, ale reálně to zkrátka bylo vtipné a těším se, až si pustím seriál!
Poprvé blahořečím filmovou (tedy vlastně seriálovou) obálku, páč jsem o existenci tohoto díla neměla ponětí a kdybych na obale nezahlédla Buscemiho (kterého mám ráda jenom proto -a teď to bude trochu trapné-, že si ho pletu s Dafoem) a Radcliffeho (protože Harry Potter, ne asi), zůstane mi tato kniha navždy utajena, a to by byla škoda.
Do letního metra akorát! Na pana Riche si posvítím trochu více!
Poprvé blahořečím filmovou (tedy vlastně seriálovou) obálku, páč jsem o existenci tohoto díla neměla ponětí a kdybych na obale nezahlédla Buscemiho (kterého mám ráda jenom proto -a teď to bude trochu trapné-, že si ho pletu s Dafoem) a Radcliffeho (protože Harry Potter, ne asi), zůstane mi tato kniha navždy utajena, a to by byla škoda.
Do letního metra akorát! Na pana Riche si posvítím trochu více!
July 6, 2018
Livro divertidíssimo que trata com muita leveza questões como livre arbítrio, casualidade e as infinitas variáveis que regem nossas vidas humanas. É sátira social, é comédia de erros (e acertos), é reflexão existencialista - tudo isso dentro de uma narrativa leve e que te faz virar as páginas até o final. Recomendo!
February 21, 2023
It's not that bad, but the series was better
February 6, 2022
This was a fever dream. I would give this 3,5 stars, but I don’t know if it’s possible. All things considered, it was a nice reading material and I enjoyed it very much. This is exactly for the situations when you want to read but not think. I even laughed at some parts. I think the 3,5 stars are just enough :)
January 10, 2022
Мило. Гумор, сатира і романтика. Посміхався рідко, але щиро поперло на сцені, коли ГГ обговорюють написання листів закоханого чувака. Це було епічно) Ну, і кінцівка, в традиціях новорічних кіношних лавсторі з Голівуду. Нью-Йорк додав ще кілька унцій задоволення)
May 19, 2023
Giving this one 4 starts because it made me laugh and that’s what I was expecting from this book. I learnt nothing, and nothing changed within me and it was just what I needed, just to laugh out loud 😁
June 1, 2021
(audiobook)
Funny!
Funny!
April 14, 2025
the criteria is 7 skips in a row
August 21, 2012
Somebody owes me. I read about this book SOMEWHERE and based on the description, actually BOUGHT it, which means that I seriously wasted whatever the Kindle price was.
The premise of this book is good - God as CEO, angels as cubicle-bound salarymen, all supposed to be funny - and the description I read compared the author to Terry Pratchett. Not quite.
The writing is clunky and amateur. It is BAD. This is a book which lacks character development, realistic dialogue, and any sort of common sense.
Don't read it.
Oh, for full disclosure, I didn't finish it, nor did I feel the need to flip the pages (figuratively) to look at the end. It was that lousy.
February 10, 2022
After watching “Miracle Workers” and learning it was based on this book, I have been looking forward to reading it ever since. The show is brilliant and so is the book. There are some major differences which is nice because it’s like enjoying two separate stories, but there was plenty that was the same. That being said, I think I prefer the show partly because the cast is on point. Simon Rich helped create that as well…On a personal level, I think I enjoyed it as my perception of god and deity has changed over time into something somewhat complex and painful, but my love of humor has stayed the same. So a story that uses comedy to explore god was incredibly cathartic and enjoyable to me.
March 17, 2017
I had high hopes for this one. I love books about angels, and this one had a really cool concept. Heaven is a corporation and God is sort of an egotistical, self-centered dick. It was shocking, offensive, and funny at times.
The reason why I'm giving it such a low rating is because there was so much fat-shaming at one point. The angels decided to give a man food poisoning to get him to lose weight. It was horrible. I know this book isn't serious and it's all for comedy value, but it just took it too far at times.
Other than that, I guess it was okay.
The reason why I'm giving it such a low rating is because there was so much fat-shaming at one point. The angels decided to give a man food poisoning to get him to lose weight. It was horrible. I know this book isn't serious and it's all for comedy value, but it just took it too far at times.
Other than that, I guess it was okay.
July 14, 2024
I really wanted to watch the show, one because of Daniel Radcliffe's performance of ‘She’s coming round the mountain’ and secondly for the cowboys in season 3. Unfortunately it is expensive for a single episode that you can’t even keep on Prime, so I read the book instead. Though there weren’t any cowboys I enjoyed it.
Miracle Workers is a short comedic novella that follows two angels working in the miracles department. After Eliza found out God has ignored all of the orginsed prays she worked hard on, God decides to retire as CEO and destroy earth. However Craig likes his job and is fond of the humans and makes a bet with God, if can answer a prayer God will not destroy the earth. The remainder of the book is about how Eliza and Craig help two awkward humans fall in love to save the whole of humanity.
I didn’t expect to find a book about angels relatable but they somehow always are similarly to how Good Omens is. In the same way Good Omens, it has this wholesome characteristic charm to it even though it is about preventing the end of the world and it's just so refreshing. For books about angels they always seem so human, this one especially since they used to be humans. I get the sense that Simon Rich the author has either worked in customer service or had a desk job due to the way he describes how people overlook those who work in either as if they were visible. But also how many people enjoy doing them. ‘He could grant them small victories, divert their little tragedies, and deliver them some tiny measure of happiness.’ Humans are sociable creatures and I know from my experiences that if I didn’t have a job or something to do I would just spiral so I could relate to Craig. ‘Craig knew his obsession with work was unusual but he couldn’t control it. His job was his entire identity.’ and ‘He knew his miracles were small and often ridiculous. But he loved every single one of them. It was only when he turned off his computer, and took the lonely elevator ride downstairs, that he sometimes began to wonder: did the humans really need him? Or was it the other way round?’ I think what a lot of this is trying to say is that making someone else happy can make yourself happy and makes your life a bit more meaningful, especially office jobs and customer service.
It was funny. Yes is a comedy, it's meant to be funny but for me personally I don’t find a lot of comedians funny so I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. There were some bits that I was, yikes, is that offensive? But comedians always play with fire.
There were some social commentary elements about how the further you are on the ladder the less work you do, but people let it slide because they created the business. And how the world is a confusing place and how good can end up as bad. ‘Earth was just so frustrating as a rubik’s cube. It was impossible to fix something without making another thing worse.’
I probably would read this book again because I think there's a couple of things I’ve missed and it being short does help lmao.
I really liked the parallel between Craig and Eliza with the two humans they’re trying to get together.
I don’t have many negatives to say to be honest. Again this is a personal thing but chapters would be nice but it does work without chapters.
Why not 5 stars? I liked it but I didn’t super like it, it's not my favourite genre and it's all down to personal preference.
Overall, give this a read. It was a quick wholesome funny read, that I think most people would enjoy and if you don’t want to read it and have the money to watch the show go for it but you will make me jealous.
Miracle Workers is a short comedic novella that follows two angels working in the miracles department. After Eliza found out God has ignored all of the orginsed prays she worked hard on, God decides to retire as CEO and destroy earth. However Craig likes his job and is fond of the humans and makes a bet with God, if can answer a prayer God will not destroy the earth. The remainder of the book is about how Eliza and Craig help two awkward humans fall in love to save the whole of humanity.
I didn’t expect to find a book about angels relatable but they somehow always are similarly to how Good Omens is. In the same way Good Omens, it has this wholesome characteristic charm to it even though it is about preventing the end of the world and it's just so refreshing. For books about angels they always seem so human, this one especially since they used to be humans. I get the sense that Simon Rich the author has either worked in customer service or had a desk job due to the way he describes how people overlook those who work in either as if they were visible. But also how many people enjoy doing them. ‘He could grant them small victories, divert their little tragedies, and deliver them some tiny measure of happiness.’ Humans are sociable creatures and I know from my experiences that if I didn’t have a job or something to do I would just spiral so I could relate to Craig. ‘Craig knew his obsession with work was unusual but he couldn’t control it. His job was his entire identity.’ and ‘He knew his miracles were small and often ridiculous. But he loved every single one of them. It was only when he turned off his computer, and took the lonely elevator ride downstairs, that he sometimes began to wonder: did the humans really need him? Or was it the other way round?’ I think what a lot of this is trying to say is that making someone else happy can make yourself happy and makes your life a bit more meaningful, especially office jobs and customer service.
It was funny. Yes is a comedy, it's meant to be funny but for me personally I don’t find a lot of comedians funny so I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. There were some bits that I was, yikes, is that offensive? But comedians always play with fire.
There were some social commentary elements about how the further you are on the ladder the less work you do, but people let it slide because they created the business. And how the world is a confusing place and how good can end up as bad. ‘Earth was just so frustrating as a rubik’s cube. It was impossible to fix something without making another thing worse.’
I probably would read this book again because I think there's a couple of things I’ve missed and it being short does help lmao.
I really liked the parallel between Craig and Eliza with the two humans they’re trying to get together.
I don’t have many negatives to say to be honest. Again this is a personal thing but chapters would be nice but it does work without chapters.
Why not 5 stars? I liked it but I didn’t super like it, it's not my favourite genre and it's all down to personal preference.
Overall, give this a read. It was a quick wholesome funny read, that I think most people would enjoy and if you don’t want to read it and have the money to watch the show go for it but you will make me jealous.
January 10, 2019
In the past couple of months, I had read a variety of different genre. One genre that I hadn't got to read was humor. Looking for a book in the humor section seemed easy at first, but later would prove to be quiet difficult. Trying to find an interesting, yet funny book was hard. Very hard. So let me stop wasting your time and just cut to the chase. After reading the first couple of pages of What in Gods Name, I fell in love. The book had everything you want in a humorous book. The book for sure will make you crack up a time or two.
Heaven Inc is the corporation that two sub-angles work for. Craig one of the sub-angles has been working at the miracle department for years. Eliza was just recently promoted to the miracle department. They both love working for the company and the department they're in. The CEO of the company god is not too interested in the company anymore. He usually shows up late or decides to go golfing. He rarely ever resolves problems on earth and just googles himself to see what people on earth think about him. One day God decides that he doesn't want to run earth anymore in pursuit of other dreams. So he decides that he is going to destroy the earth. As God makes the announcement of his plans two workers Eliza and Craig take offense to this. They love what they do and don't want to see the earth get destroyed. The angles manage to strike a deal with God. If they can make the two most awkward people in the world fall in love then God won't destroy the earth. This would the toughest miracle that Craig and Eliza would ever face.
This book was absolutely hilarious. I think that I had cracked up well over a dozen times throughout the book. In the book, the author does use profanity, but the profanity in the book is used appropriately. The profanity in the book actually is one of the main reason I liked this book. I haven't read many books were profanity was included. So to see it in this book was not only hilarious but different too. I also liked the setting of the book. The book setting being in heaven was unique and I liked really liked it. This was actually why I choose the book in the first place.
Honestly, there's not much bad to say about this book. I really did enjoy reading every page of it. One thing I didn't like is how they portrayed God in the book. I know it was for comical purposes but I didn't enjoy it and at times made me a little uneasy reading the book. After getting past that part there was nothing else I didn't like about the book. I would totally recommend it if you're trying to get a laugh in. Or if you just trying to read something unique and different.
Heaven Inc is the corporation that two sub-angles work for. Craig one of the sub-angles has been working at the miracle department for years. Eliza was just recently promoted to the miracle department. They both love working for the company and the department they're in. The CEO of the company god is not too interested in the company anymore. He usually shows up late or decides to go golfing. He rarely ever resolves problems on earth and just googles himself to see what people on earth think about him. One day God decides that he doesn't want to run earth anymore in pursuit of other dreams. So he decides that he is going to destroy the earth. As God makes the announcement of his plans two workers Eliza and Craig take offense to this. They love what they do and don't want to see the earth get destroyed. The angles manage to strike a deal with God. If they can make the two most awkward people in the world fall in love then God won't destroy the earth. This would the toughest miracle that Craig and Eliza would ever face.
This book was absolutely hilarious. I think that I had cracked up well over a dozen times throughout the book. In the book, the author does use profanity, but the profanity in the book is used appropriately. The profanity in the book actually is one of the main reason I liked this book. I haven't read many books were profanity was included. So to see it in this book was not only hilarious but different too. I also liked the setting of the book. The book setting being in heaven was unique and I liked really liked it. This was actually why I choose the book in the first place.
Honestly, there's not much bad to say about this book. I really did enjoy reading every page of it. One thing I didn't like is how they portrayed God in the book. I know it was for comical purposes but I didn't enjoy it and at times made me a little uneasy reading the book. After getting past that part there was nothing else I didn't like about the book. I would totally recommend it if you're trying to get a laugh in. Or if you just trying to read something unique and different.
April 1, 2022
If you're looking for a quick, good read with plenty of laughs, this book is for you (as long as you don't mind a little irreverence that sometimes veers close to sacrilege). I picked this one up after watching the first season of "Miracle Workers," the series based upon it and starring Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi. The book is at least as enjoyable as the show, different enough to be a new experience, and well-characterized throughout (the actors, for their part, were so well cast that I couldn't read Craig's or God's dialogue without hearing Radcliffe or Buscemi's voice in my head).
The comedy is by turns satirical and absurdist, and often laugh-out-loud. The situational aspect, in which two Angels attempt to perform the miracle of causing two sad-sack misfits to fall in love, in order to win a bet with God so that he doesn't destroy humanity so he can open the Asian fusion restaurant he really wants to explore, is like something that Douglas Adams might have conceived. But couched within is the surprisingly sweet, without being saccharine, story of the lovers getting their stars crossed by the overseeing Angels who are racing against a looming apocalypse.
It may seem that I've told the whole story, but there's so much more to it. Especially considering the length of the novel, there's a lot of fun packed into the story. I recommend it highly!
The comedy is by turns satirical and absurdist, and often laugh-out-loud. The situational aspect, in which two Angels attempt to perform the miracle of causing two sad-sack misfits to fall in love, in order to win a bet with God so that he doesn't destroy humanity so he can open the Asian fusion restaurant he really wants to explore, is like something that Douglas Adams might have conceived. But couched within is the surprisingly sweet, without being saccharine, story of the lovers getting their stars crossed by the overseeing Angels who are racing against a looming apocalypse.
It may seem that I've told the whole story, but there's so much more to it. Especially considering the length of the novel, there's a lot of fun packed into the story. I recommend it highly!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2019
Hilarious!
I have watched the series, and I liked it a lot. The story here is a little different than in the series, and I guess I like it more for that reason. Less drama compared to the series, but no compromise on the comedy.
Loved the criteria for getting into heaven. Unfortunately, I won't go to heaven. But the reason for the criteria is more hilarious (also very reasonable)
A light and pleasant read.
I have watched the series, and I liked it a lot. The story here is a little different than in the series, and I guess I like it more for that reason. Less drama compared to the series, but no compromise on the comedy.
Loved the criteria for getting into heaven. Unfortunately, I won't go to heaven. But the reason for the criteria is more hilarious (also very reasonable)
A light and pleasant read.
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