Phil! A Hilarious Account of Everything

by R.P. Momsen

Billions of years ago, our universe was born. Not really that terribly exciting for most life forms except of course yourselves… and, well, Phil. The poor bastard who’s had to watch over all you people the last billion or so years.
Well, finally after years of listening to all your griping, bitching and whining, always with some imaginary being getting all the credit, he’s finally had it!
Phil has decided to explain what the world is, why you’re here and how you can evolve finally into a species worth talking about at parties.
In this hilarious actual account, Phil takes two unwitting Physicists on the adventure of their lives, which isn’t saying much for a couple of physicists, and shows them what life, the universe, and lovely little corner pubs really is all about. They’re transported to other dimensions to meet their better-looking selves, get taken prisoner by an evil but very good looking race, fly through black holes and help the creation of a new planet all while their greatest challenge hangs in the balance, saving earth from the evil, and best dressed, species the universe has ever seen.
Will they save earth? Have all the years of hard work Phil has done creating you beings be lost? Does any of this really matter?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2016

Reviews

[Jennifer Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a longtime fan of Christopher Moore and Douglas Adams, I was thrilled when I stumbled onto Phil and his hilarious adventures. He's got such a perfectly tuned voice that the whole book is not only entertaining, but incredibly fun. Momsen's concoction of humor, science fiction, and philosophy had me smiling throughout the whole of the work, and it's no exaggeration to say that I enjoyed every minute of it.

If you're a fan of humorous sci-fi or want to fall in love with a sometimes grumpy, sometimes drunken alien of a guy named Phil, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up.

Absolutely, I recommend it.

[Robert N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, very funny read though if you’re religious you may take a few parts the wrong way. All in all it was humorous, edgy at times, introspective while not taking it too seriously and a really funny alternative to the question of why we’re here. It tends to have more of a dry humor than I do but it’s pulled off well.

[John Harvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying to be in the style of Douglas Adams

An OK read possibly inspired by Douglas Adams but not up to his standard still good enough to pass the time.

[Nicholas Bridgman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Phil!, R.P. Momsen presents an amusing look at the cosmos, from the perspective of an alien in charge of overseeing Earth named Phil. The book is filled with witty passages, such as when Phil visits some aliens and they begin philosophizing, saying “‘Perhaps they’re not actually visitors, but our minds are perceiving that we need visitors.’” Momsen juxtaposes the foreign nature of aliens and strange worlds with understated, often unexpected, humorous points of view, much like Adams’ A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Phil and four newfound friends travel the universe, ending up in a slave ship full of people who do not know they are slaves because the ship is so much fun, traveling through a black hole and back, and writing a list while drunk in a pub of nine rules to live by for people on a newly formed planet. Ironically, when the planet later evolves, the five are known as the “great wise men,” highlighting again through satire people’s gullibility and desire for knowledge and faith—even among people whose society is detached from earth and just beginning. Overall, the novel looks at people and aliens and societies of all kinds, and surmises that the one thing they all have in common is their enjoyment of a good pub. One is not sure if this is a good thing or not, but either way the novel makes for a fun and comedically entertaining read.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phil was introduced in the short story Phil!: The Beginning of the Universe, and his adventures continue here. Phil is the alien overseer of the artificially created planet Earth, which isn't as sinister as it sounds. He's tired of being a desk jockey, and especially tired of all those pesky messages he receives from the humans, addressed to "God". After drinks one night, Phil decides to start personally answering each and every plea with some harsh, and humorous, reality.

Phil makes his first visit to our Earth, and meets up with Bill, a physicist (our Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent, if you will). He decides to take Bill around the universe, as well as Lori, Bill's perky lab partner, to show them the meaning of life.

Just like the short story prequel, this is very much in the style of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. A humanoid alien comes down to take a bumbling everyman around the galaxy, and hijinks ensue. The style of writing attempts to be flippant like Hitchhiker, although it can sometimes come across as feeling forced. There are also italicized explanations of alien drinks and other alien items just like in Hitchhiker, but they make less sense here, because in Hitchhiker they were excerpts from the guide. The editing in the novel is a hundred times better than the short story, and I enjoyed reading it.

[Morgan]

I thought I might like this given the sample read similar to Douglas Adams, but it quickly became apparent that the book was basically trying to copy everything of the Hitchhikers Guide. Almost as if the author had read it, forgot parts of it, then had a go at writing the exact same book.

Just the things I noticed before giving up:
•The Guide-like asides,
•"Pan Universal Kumquat Juice" - I mean that's not even trying to hide being a direct copy of "Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters",
•Losers sitting around in tatty bathrobes,
•Spontaneous transformation into potted plants,
•The Big Bang Bar featuring a show of the universe exploding.

If I wanted to read the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, then I wouldn't settle for a knock off. I just couldn't get into this and just found I was more distracted looking for similarities to Hitchhikers than reading the story.

That said, over on GoodReads there are plenty of people who enjoyed it, so maybe it's just not my cup of tea. I guess you could say this is more like a plastic cup filled with a liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.

[Kenneth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not so Hilarious, and not so much an account of everything. I was disapointed. I was glad it was a quick read and was done with it in no time at all. I liked the concept of this book but the execution of the story was lacking. It is based on the philosophy that there are billions of universes out there and therefore many other alternate "earths" out there. Phil is the traveler that goes from one to another to see al the alternate earths and his adventures with the vast differences between them all. In the end he is back on this earth with a view of things from a different perspective. A great concept for a novel, but not as good a story to follow.

[SnoopyDoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ½ ★

Going into this book I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but turns out I really enjoyed this book.

It was short (for me) and super funny.

Phil, creator and over-watch of us little humans, tells us what he really thinks of us and our behavior and actions.

Phil is just plain hilarious, as he retells important events on earth and his input in our doing.


Find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/phil...

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing concept and a quick read - definitely an attempt to follow in the footsteps of Douglas Adams, but lacking in character development and plot. Also, poorly edited.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but this just felt like it was trying way too hard to copy it.

[shannon Stubbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok

The story was ok. I just didn't like Phil. I thought the jokes were a little flat. Also the part where he dies was a little strange. Not for me.

[Mandy Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you write a book in the style of another famous author, it is tough.
When that famous author happens to be one of the few FAVORITE authors of someone who is reading your book, that's difficult.
When you add in that it is the new author's first book, it's almost impossible.

Let me start out by saying that the style is strikingly similar to Douglas Adams with one exception - this author has many more 'asides'. Those moments when the author takes you by the hand and whispers in your ear, "Hey, here's some cool information that is related to what just happened - kind of." So, if that is something that you really like, go for this book! For me, it started out as awesome but was pulling me out of the story by the middle because it was happening so often.

The story is definitely a unique take on God, creation, religion, and all that jazz. I appreciated the array of topics covered and covered well. It was very funny and silly but also thought provoking. Another thing that I really appreciated was a nice solid wrapped up ending. It was thorough, and I was very satisfied with my experience as a reader from the plot line perspective.

So, why am I reticent to recommend this book? Because when you write in the style of another author, you will invariably be compared to their work. And this simply did not stack up. It was a nice first book, but I can't help but wonder if it would have been better served by less of Adams' voice and more of Momsen's.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. It actually puts a whole new twist on God and how and why he created the earth and let it be as it is. I have to admit I found my self laughing a lot and even shocked at some things.

My Father was an ordained Minister and I am not sure if some of the rumbling I heard in my head was him rolling over in his grave or laughing along with me. You definitely need an open mind while reading this book. If you can't laugh at a joke don't bother picking this book up. If you can laugh at a joke Please grab it cuddle down in a comfy spot and be prepared to laugh.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHIL is a truly terrific book. There were several different paths that the plot could have followed down to various trope-filled ticky boxes, but each time, something would come along (with a whooshing door) and there would be no chance for predictability to take hold. The genuinely well explained quantum physics that was included seamlessly joined to the absurd and obscure with humor and hyperbole really sold this for me.
Well done!

[MICHAEL CLICK · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all!

Phil is the being responsible for out world and universe and he hates His job. He isn't really a god, but He has the responsibility of answering all the multitude of requests from us, the inhabitants of this world. Tiring work, to say the least!
"Phil" is quite an enjoyable read, well worth you time.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining book. The author does a great job of keeping the story funny and silly without it being ridiculous. Some of the jokes are a bit overused and the story gets a bit muddled in the middle, but it is a great read when you want something that's just simply fun.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, and I gave an honest review.

[Michelle m · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun quick read that is reminiscent of the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. Great characters in this book, especially Phil who goes from one comical mishap to another. Plenty of Alien races and space Pubs in this book. Just a fun little gem.

[Layne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book to read. Well written. If you liked Hitchhikers Guide, then you will probably enjoy this book.

[Jere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This *is* actually hilarious! Don't read in bed unless you want to wake your partner up!

[Bandora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not that funny

It had potential but it felt like the author tried too hard copy Douglas Adams' humor style. I read the joke, could tell that it was a joke but just didn't find it funny.