M.A.S.H Goes to Las Vegas

M*A*S*H #7

by Richard Hooker

Book by Richard Hooker, William E. Butterworth

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Historical Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Richard Hooker is the pseudonym of Hiester Richard Hornberger Jr. who was born February 1, 1924 and died November 4, 1997. He was an American writer and surgeon. His most famous work was his novel MASH (1968). The novel was based on his own personal experiences during the Korean War at the 8055th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. It was written in collaboration with W. C. Heinz. The novel took 11 years to write. In 1970, and then again from 1972-1983 it was used as the basis for a critically and commercially successful movie and television series of the same name.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
Richard^Hooker

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best entry since New Orleans. All the expected tropes and prejudices shine through, the writing style that seems to be heavily influence by word-count requirements is once again in full effect, and it's a crying shame that no one has adapted all these novels into a period piece series filmed in the style of Arrested Development.

[Christopher Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways this may be the most enjoyable of the series to date, though it is flawed in a way because of its unfortunate domination of the "terpsichorean ecdysiast" subtheme as well as the videorecorded sexual antics toward the end. While that is unfortunate and disappointing, the rest of the book might make up for that. For Boris fans, he is more like himself than he has been for a few books, so that is amusing in his way. The most enjoyable aspect of this book, which is the main reason I consider it the best to date (though New Orleans/Paris may be on par with it, especially since they don't have quite the inappropriate emphases just mentioned), is that it features the actual M*A*S*H gang more predominantly than the previous couple of books in the series. This is due, in part, to the reappearances of Radar and Father Mulcahy (though it is interesting that Radar's "real name" in this series is J. Robespierre O'Riley). Their time in the book is enjoyable. Even Margaret gets a little more time than she has been getting recently, but not as much as she had earlier in the series. The return of Kristina was nice, though her time is so brief it is almost a different sort of characterization. The other seemingly-mandatory subtheme of a good-looking guy converting a militant buxom feminist is here as well, though fortunately it doesn't dominate as much (until the end) as it does in previous entries in the series.

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of work and paying the bills via musical skills, aspiring actor Bobby Pickett used his Boris Karloff Frankenstein impersonation as the foundation to the popular 1962 song MONSTER MASH. Celebrated with inclusion in numerous TV, silver screen and other pop culture fare, the MONSTER MASH musically endures, and not only for its use during Halloween. Working hand in hand since the turbulent three years of the Korean War ending in 1953, the monstrous character of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, M*A*S*H, are at it again, taking the Silver state and Sin City by storm, one year ahead of the chaotic and fantastic celebration of America's Bicentennial.

The pros from Dover, Benjamin Franklin Pierce, M.D., Chief of Surgery at the Spruce Harbor (Maine) Medical Center and John Francis Xavier McIntyre, M.D. are back, living large and honoring the old unit's unofficial motto; All for one, one for all. In absence of a medical emergency, Hawkeye and Trapper John decide to go on a mission of mercy, holding one of their own's hand, Radar O'Reilly. In terrific GOOD WILL HUNTING fashion, Radar has to see about a girl, as he's head over heels in love. Moreover, skipping a long courtship and attending shenanigans, they're going to the chapel, baby, for a pagan marriage rite in a gambling den. In good cliche sequel procedure, M*A*S*H GOES TO LAS VEGAS spends entirely too much real estate on presenting the rub of the story and then assembling the gang and subsequently migrating over to Nevada. There is such a thing as carrying ecumenical business too far, but then again, the folks of the 4077th M*A*S*H are not really known for subtlety. While not dumping on the institution of marriage, M*A*S*H GOES TO LAS VEGAS reminds that it's better to marry than to burn, and that terpsichorean ecdysiasts make lousy wives. While some elements of THE HANGOVER and FATHER OF THE BRIDE don't quite make M*A*S*H GOES TO LAS VEGAS into FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, the possibility is there, as this iteration of the scandalous surgeons consistently teeters precariously on the edge of chaos, but never does, so to speak, go over the brink. Naturally a bit dated, M*A*S*H GOES TO LAS VEGAS owns a certain amount of 'je ne sais quoi', and in the end, it's a good time had by all. A two fisted comedy that goes the whole case, keg, and barrel, M*A*S*H GOES TO LAS VEGAS says here's to mud in your eye. When M*A*S*H GOES TO LAS VEGAS, you don't ask for how long--you crack the spine and get your gambling shoes on.

[Benn Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the fifth book of the "M*A*S*H Goes to..." series ostensibly co-authored by original "M*A*S*H" scribe, Richard Hooker and William E. Butterworth (in reality, Butterworth is the sole author of this part of the series). In a way, it's better than the previous four books of the series. It at least features and focuses a little more on actual M*A*S*H characters (Hawkeye, Trapper John, Radar, Father Mulcahy and Major Houlihan) than the previous entries in the "Goes to..." set, but the focus on the MASHers is only marginal.

As with the previous volumes, Butterworth prefers to follow characters he himself created (Don Rhotten, Horsey de la Chevaux, Boris Korsky-Rimsakov, etc.). Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, the Butterworth cast aren't all that interesting. Instead, they're more an annoying distraction than anything else.

Like the previous four novels, the plot of this book is more or less the same: various groups of Butterworth's creation all converge, after a series of misunderstandings, on one particular place. Hilarity (hopefully) ensues. And it might work if wasn't for the blatant misogyny and homophobia that runs rampant throughout the "Goes to..." series. Especially irritating is how once again, Butterworth resorts to the Man-hating-Women's Libber-Finds-True-Love-When-She-Meets-a-REAL-MAN-And-Stops-Being-A-Castrating-Bitch trope. Not only is this an unrealistic fantasy Butterworth (unrealistic even in the '70s when the books were written), but it leaves the impression the author felt very threatened by the Women's Liberation movement. Only homosexuality seems to made Butterworth even more nervous given how stereotypical such characters are portrayed and how much disgust the straight male exhibit towards them.

Really, the attitudes and humor presented in the Hooker/Butterworth M*A*S*H books are so diametrically opposed to the TV series, I suspect fans of the television show were severely disappointed with the books. Hard to believe so many "M*A*S*H Goes to..." books were published.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5

Better novel in this series than the average. The main plot which is quite slight (understatement if ever there is one) centred on the forthcoming marriage of radar and kristina in las Vegas. That single point then has the others characters and crazy situations rotate around it getting ever more confusing and over the to.
On the plus side the original characters have more to do this time out, although despite being named Henry Blake didn’t appear unless it was a blink and miss him ?
Rating this on goodreads is a problem tbh, as a standalone book then this should be only a 3 at best, however compared to the rest of the series then it is a 4 hence rating given.
Probably could read as standalone.

[Erik Deckers · Rating 5 out of 5]

F—-ing hilarious! I did not know that any other MASH books existed until just recently. I happened to find this one on a visit to a used bookstore in Atlanta. If you’re a fan of Catch-22, or the original MASH movie, then you definitely need to check out this book. If you had ever wondered, “where are they now?” about the crew from movie, this is a wonderful look at things that might have happened if the TV series had not.

[Jeff Mayo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a slight improvement over the previous MASH outing. Hawkeye, Trapper, Radar, Hot Lips, and Mulcahy appear, and play a more significant part in the plot than in some of the previous books. This is the same kind of episodic nonsense as all of the MASH series.

[Elaine Reinhard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting fun read. Wonderful and funny. So enjoyable.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a boring read. Not a fan of the characters Butterworth created, because they were given way more pages than the MASH gang. Glad Radar finally got his happy ending.

[Jonathan Palfrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

No atmosphere, no research, and bits of recycled text from other volumes in the series. Depresses me slightly.

[Denise Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars, rounding down. I purchased a stack of M*A*S*H novels at a used bookshop a few years ago and am going through them in order. The style of these "sequel" novels differ from the original in that they're satirical in nature and bawdier. It's clear these stories won't age well, but at it's core the Vegas installment has a nice old-time madcap structure to it. If you're a fan of the series and not the movie it might annoy you, be warned.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in high school - maybe even junior high - checked it out from the local, small library. I think I read several of them. I know I liked it at the time -

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty over the top and funny just like the TV show was.

[Zeph Agayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the amusing parts. I don't know how historically accurate it is, though.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read May 1979.