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God Hates Us All
The critically acclaimed show, Californication, is one of Showtime’s highest rated programs. Averaging about two million viewers an episode, it is the most successfully rated freshman series in Showtime history. A Golden Globe nominee for Best Television Series (Comedy or Musical), Californication features an electric, likeable cast, led by actor David Duchovny, who won a Golden Globe for his performance playing Hank Moody.
God Hates Us All is the novel written by Duchovny’s character, Hank Moody, which in the show is turned into a Hollywood film entitled A Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Timed to coincide with the premiere of the Season 3 of the hit series, this will allow fans an extra, backstage look at the concept of the show not available through episodes.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
211 people are currently reading
3059 people want to read
About the author
Hank Moody
3 books197 followersFictional television character created for the tv-show: Californication, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0904208/.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Moody
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Moody
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
February 10, 2017
Well, if you were a fan of Californication as I was, you might have fun reading Hank Moody's God Hates Us All that he wrote before the series begins. It is not great literature, but it is interesting to see what the show runners imagined as his bestseller and propulsion into the debauchery and lecherous adventures he had over the hilarious seven season run of the show. Crude, funny and outrageous - it is exactly what you would expect from Hank!
December 23, 2009
This is a very quick read. When I first opened the book to read it, I was expecting the story from Californication, of how Hank Moody has sex with a minor, with no knowledge of her age. Ask me why I thought this and I wouldn't be able to tell you.
Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Unsure of whether Hank Moody was writing about himself or a fictional character in the beginning, I was unsure of the first few chapters. It was then that I realized I couldn't put the book down. The story this 21 year old goes through is interesting and unimaginable, with a sense of reality as he faces heartbreak in more than one way, death, and growing up.
I recommend this for anybody looking for a quick read, and of course, to any fan of Showtime's Californication.
Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Unsure of whether Hank Moody was writing about himself or a fictional character in the beginning, I was unsure of the first few chapters. It was then that I realized I couldn't put the book down. The story this 21 year old goes through is interesting and unimaginable, with a sense of reality as he faces heartbreak in more than one way, death, and growing up.
I recommend this for anybody looking for a quick read, and of course, to any fan of Showtime's Californication.
June 14, 2014
All you need is a TITLE!
This book by Moody concerns nothing in it but the title. First it attracts you, then it makes you find the reason of choosing this title in th book, then it makes you sure, that there is nothing special behind this loud title but a spanish replica of a barman.
I read it because I was curious, but now I wish I hadn't - these aren't the fictitious Hank's words, these are the words of some dude trying to be as cool and edgy as he imagines Hank would be.
It just ends up being silly and unconvincing.
Nice try.
This book by Moody concerns nothing in it but the title. First it attracts you, then it makes you find the reason of choosing this title in th book, then it makes you sure, that there is nothing special behind this loud title but a spanish replica of a barman.
I read it because I was curious, but now I wish I hadn't - these aren't the fictitious Hank's words, these are the words of some dude trying to be as cool and edgy as he imagines Hank would be.
It just ends up being silly and unconvincing.
Nice try.
January 21, 2017
When I started reading this, a clear 5 stars.
Why?
It sounded like Hank Moody from sentence one! That was all this book needed to be. A TV tie in that would have you believe Hank Moody actually wrote it! That was all it needed to be!
As I progressed............4 stars.
And as I got further, and ended.........?
3 stars.
Let me explain.
I'm a Californication expert. I've seen the series through from 1 to 7 a thousand times. I know THIS character, inside and out!
(Only 1 to 4 are worth seeing. Don't waste your time on 5 to 7. Awful. Just awful.)
God Hates Us All is meant to be the book that not only lands Hank in LA but actually makes Karen fall in love with him (before that, she was planning on moving to Seattle and stalking Chris 'Soundgarden' Cornell).
NO girl would change her life plans based on this book!
It's all about sex, drugs and rock and roll and while that is VERY Hank Moody, Hank is also quite the introvert. He's a deep thinker, someone who may fuck up often but comes away feeling more than what really happened. He knows what REALLY happened, whether he learns from it or not. Here's where the book fails.
While it captures the sex, drugs and rock and roll aspect, there's literally NO soul searching, NOTHING that makes you stop and THINK!
I refuse to believe that Moody's 'CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MASTERPIECE' would have no stop and think moments.
I feel that the author feigning him here missed a very real trick; beneath the women and the alcohol, Hank would have crafted something that speaks to the human soul, something that makes us all stop and think and most importantly FEEL!
It must have been hard to write a 'critically acclaimed' masterpiece from a lothario with such a distinctive tone and while I love the author's prose (I really do, it whipped along at a lovely sexy pace), halfway through the book, I realised all the sex scenes and drugs and family dramas amounted to NOTHING. They all led to nothing!
Hank Moody would have gathered all the plot threads into something far more gratifying.
I'm glad I read it and I'm glad I owned it - but THIS ISN'T HANK MOODY'S WRITING!
Can I write 'Fucking and Punching' please, Showtime?
Because I know I can imitate Moody's style far better?
Why?
It sounded like Hank Moody from sentence one! That was all this book needed to be. A TV tie in that would have you believe Hank Moody actually wrote it! That was all it needed to be!
As I progressed............4 stars.
And as I got further, and ended.........?
3 stars.
Let me explain.
I'm a Californication expert. I've seen the series through from 1 to 7 a thousand times. I know THIS character, inside and out!
(Only 1 to 4 are worth seeing. Don't waste your time on 5 to 7. Awful. Just awful.)
God Hates Us All is meant to be the book that not only lands Hank in LA but actually makes Karen fall in love with him (before that, she was planning on moving to Seattle and stalking Chris 'Soundgarden' Cornell).
NO girl would change her life plans based on this book!
It's all about sex, drugs and rock and roll and while that is VERY Hank Moody, Hank is also quite the introvert. He's a deep thinker, someone who may fuck up often but comes away feeling more than what really happened. He knows what REALLY happened, whether he learns from it or not. Here's where the book fails.
While it captures the sex, drugs and rock and roll aspect, there's literally NO soul searching, NOTHING that makes you stop and THINK!
I refuse to believe that Moody's 'CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MASTERPIECE' would have no stop and think moments.
I feel that the author feigning him here missed a very real trick; beneath the women and the alcohol, Hank would have crafted something that speaks to the human soul, something that makes us all stop and think and most importantly FEEL!
It must have been hard to write a 'critically acclaimed' masterpiece from a lothario with such a distinctive tone and while I love the author's prose (I really do, it whipped along at a lovely sexy pace), halfway through the book, I realised all the sex scenes and drugs and family dramas amounted to NOTHING. They all led to nothing!
Hank Moody would have gathered all the plot threads into something far more gratifying.
I'm glad I read it and I'm glad I owned it - but THIS ISN'T HANK MOODY'S WRITING!
Can I write 'Fucking and Punching' please, Showtime?
Because I know I can imitate Moody's style far better?
November 20, 2015
Enjoyed this book. Relationships, drugs, lust and love. It's a book about life/growing-up. Fun read and very comical at times!
May 7, 2012
Who would have thought supplemental/tie in lit could be so well written? Honestly, this is the first book I've read in quite some time that really does have something for nearly everyone. It's dark, funny, witty, compelling, and actually builds a convincing artifice of the real world so much that, if it had been a stand-alone novel, I would've liked it just as much.
The show in which this book sprang from, 'Californication', is a great one. I'm an unabashed fan (went through five seasons in less than two weeks, yah) and for the first two seasons 'God Hates Us All' was the latest novel (hilariously adapted into a movie called 'A Funny Little Thing Called Love' in the show) of the show's protagonist writer/anti-hero Hank Moody, played to deadpan emotionally desolated/devastated (former word another reviewers, latter mine) snarker Godhood by David Duchovney. After the show's success this novel was commissioned to act as a tie-in for the premiere of the third season.
This book could have failed on many levels, but it didn't, and even almost miraculously, succeeds in nearly every way. The book really feels as if it had been written by Hank Moody (though the novel more than stands on its own without the show backing it up, honestly save for one or two funny references towards the novel's end, it's not necessary to watch the show, though as a fan I recommend it A LOT) with his uniquely skewed and cynical disposition tinging every remark and observation the main character flips (off) to the reader.
Plot here while not complicated is a well executed (and shadily satirical) glimpse at relationships, personal connections, and what it means to be happy, or even if happiness is a real possibility among the fragile and guarded characters...who could just as easily be people that most of us could recognize. Through the entire story I felt as though I was a silent friend of the main character, doing what I could to keep up with him, understanding him well, and doubting myself every step of the way through every set piece of New York and (bit of a spoiler) South Korea. Gritty and grand, beautiful and hideous, superficial and slick veneer giving way to hidden, and usually scarred, depths of thought and soul, this is a quick but heavy and affecting read that is more than worth the time.
The show in which this book sprang from, 'Californication', is a great one. I'm an unabashed fan (went through five seasons in less than two weeks, yah) and for the first two seasons 'God Hates Us All' was the latest novel (hilariously adapted into a movie called 'A Funny Little Thing Called Love' in the show) of the show's protagonist writer/anti-hero Hank Moody, played to deadpan emotionally desolated/devastated (former word another reviewers, latter mine) snarker Godhood by David Duchovney. After the show's success this novel was commissioned to act as a tie-in for the premiere of the third season.
This book could have failed on many levels, but it didn't, and even almost miraculously, succeeds in nearly every way. The book really feels as if it had been written by Hank Moody (though the novel more than stands on its own without the show backing it up, honestly save for one or two funny references towards the novel's end, it's not necessary to watch the show, though as a fan I recommend it A LOT) with his uniquely skewed and cynical disposition tinging every remark and observation the main character flips (off) to the reader.
Plot here while not complicated is a well executed (and shadily satirical) glimpse at relationships, personal connections, and what it means to be happy, or even if happiness is a real possibility among the fragile and guarded characters...who could just as easily be people that most of us could recognize. Through the entire story I felt as though I was a silent friend of the main character, doing what I could to keep up with him, understanding him well, and doubting myself every step of the way through every set piece of New York and (bit of a spoiler) South Korea. Gritty and grand, beautiful and hideous, superficial and slick veneer giving way to hidden, and usually scarred, depths of thought and soul, this is a quick but heavy and affecting read that is more than worth the time.
August 11, 2012
This is a book I was attracted to because of its title and had some assumptions made already but it turned out to be totally opposite of what I had thought it to be.
Once the shock about the nature of book was over and I got the hang of it, I started to enjoy. Its very light and quick read. It has nothing to do with god or religion. Its a fun novel with a lot of sex and drugs situations which mostly feel cliched. Nevertheless, I liked the wittiness of the characters specially the protagonist. Its very entertaining given that you aren't expecting much and are ready to go with the flow.
But having said that, disappointment is still there that despite the title it feels absolutely without any purpose and there's nothing serious about the storyline either. For this reason i would like to mention its more of a 3.5 stars actually.
Another thing, I absolutely didn't know anything about Hank Moody (writer) being protagonist and a fictional character from Californication tv series played by David Duchovny. So its not written by Hank Moody in real sense rather by screen writers of this show which explains the cheekiness and non-serious attitude of the book considering the theme of the series.
Once the shock about the nature of book was over and I got the hang of it, I started to enjoy. Its very light and quick read. It has nothing to do with god or religion. Its a fun novel with a lot of sex and drugs situations which mostly feel cliched. Nevertheless, I liked the wittiness of the characters specially the protagonist. Its very entertaining given that you aren't expecting much and are ready to go with the flow.
But having said that, disappointment is still there that despite the title it feels absolutely without any purpose and there's nothing serious about the storyline either. For this reason i would like to mention its more of a 3.5 stars actually.
Another thing, I absolutely didn't know anything about Hank Moody (writer) being protagonist and a fictional character from Californication tv series played by David Duchovny. So its not written by Hank Moody in real sense rather by screen writers of this show which explains the cheekiness and non-serious attitude of the book considering the theme of the series.
November 5, 2018
I loved Californication, so of course I bought this book immediately when I saw it in a store some years ago. But then I never actually read it. So even though it has been years that I watched the show, I did recognize the style. This could totally be Hank Moody. Well, actually there is quite little swearing and fucking for a Hank Moody -story. It is a good story but it is not scandalous or groundbreaking shocking. Not at all. But the sense of humor and the writing style do remind of Californication.
September 30, 2010
Fictional books - as in, the ones that don't exist in the real world - always intrigue me. When I read Wonder Boys by Chabon, I wanted to read the collective works of Grady Tripp and those of "the first real writer" Tripp ever knew - August Van Zorn. So it goes without saying, when Californication came into my life, I wanted to read Hank Moody's novels. My prayers were answered when his novel, God Hates Us All, was released last year. Note: It wasn't the fact that I couldn't afford his book last year, it's just that it takes me a year to grow the balls to read a novel based on a novel in a TV show. Finally having finished the novel, I have to say that I understand why Hank Moody was pissed off when his novel - which takes its title from a Slayer album - was turned into the TomKat flick, A Crazy Little Thing Called Love (which, god forbid, no one decides to actually make). But then again, let's not forget how disappointed I was with the novel.
It's not that it's a bad book. And I really didn't know what to expect when a fictional novel is released into the real world, but whatever I did expect, I can assure you this wasn't it. I can't even fathom how something like this could ever be adapted into a romantic comedy starring TomKat. And I know, I shouldn't even think like that because neither Hank Moody, TomKat (in the sense of the show, anyway) or the real (though, actually, fictional) God Hates Us All don't really exist.
In actuality, Jonathan Grotenstein - who, possibly, wrote this book - probably had Hank Moody in the head. I'm not sure how much instruction he got or how much creative freedom he was allotted, but after a few chapters into the book, I thought less and less about Hank Moody's persona on the show and more about how this book seems completely color-by-numbers. The book starts reading more like something out of the mind of Hank Moody toward the last half, but the voice is still lacking. Push in a few music references - like the show does - and you got yourself something that isn't bad, but isn't something you'd expect. And the nearly perfect wrap up, well, that's something I'd rather not talk about.
It's not that it's a bad book. And I really didn't know what to expect when a fictional novel is released into the real world, but whatever I did expect, I can assure you this wasn't it. I can't even fathom how something like this could ever be adapted into a romantic comedy starring TomKat. And I know, I shouldn't even think like that because neither Hank Moody, TomKat (in the sense of the show, anyway) or the real (though, actually, fictional) God Hates Us All don't really exist.
In actuality, Jonathan Grotenstein - who, possibly, wrote this book - probably had Hank Moody in the head. I'm not sure how much instruction he got or how much creative freedom he was allotted, but after a few chapters into the book, I thought less and less about Hank Moody's persona on the show and more about how this book seems completely color-by-numbers. The book starts reading more like something out of the mind of Hank Moody toward the last half, but the voice is still lacking. Push in a few music references - like the show does - and you got yourself something that isn't bad, but isn't something you'd expect. And the nearly perfect wrap up, well, that's something I'd rather not talk about.
November 12, 2012
So I picked this up at the library because I was intrigued by the title. And it looked like a quick read. But something was definitely odd. There's a red blurb on the cover that says "As featured on the hit Showtime series Californication" which I have never seen. It says it's written by Hank Moody and there's a paragraph on the back cover about Hank Moody which also says the book has been made into a movie - A Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
This all seemed weird to me. What movie is this? So I had to google this to find out that David Duchovny's character in Californication is Hank Moody. Hank writes this book in the series. It is turned into a movie in the series. Apparently, someone wrote this book for real life so we can all partake of the illusion.
Now how do I review a book like this? I can only review the story which is kind of interesting - an accidental drug dealer has a psycho girlfriend (really psycho) and he lives (for awhile, anyway) in the Chelsea Hotel in New York and he has - adventures? escapades? Meets lots of odd people, anyway. It was entertainment for the weekend. It's not a lifestyle I've lived but it was interesting reading about it. I think it basically made me glad I'm not addicted to drugs.
And I can't figure out the picture of the people on the back cover at the amusement park. Are these characters in the book? Which characters? Are they the stars of the "movie" from the series? Puzzling for those of us not initiated into this world.
This all seemed weird to me. What movie is this? So I had to google this to find out that David Duchovny's character in Californication is Hank Moody. Hank writes this book in the series. It is turned into a movie in the series. Apparently, someone wrote this book for real life so we can all partake of the illusion.
Now how do I review a book like this? I can only review the story which is kind of interesting - an accidental drug dealer has a psycho girlfriend (really psycho) and he lives (for awhile, anyway) in the Chelsea Hotel in New York and he has - adventures? escapades? Meets lots of odd people, anyway. It was entertainment for the weekend. It's not a lifestyle I've lived but it was interesting reading about it. I think it basically made me glad I'm not addicted to drugs.
And I can't figure out the picture of the people on the back cover at the amusement park. Are these characters in the book? Which characters? Are they the stars of the "movie" from the series? Puzzling for those of us not initiated into this world.
October 23, 2009
This is the formerly-fictitious book from Showtime's Californication, starring David Duchovny. Duchovny plays writer (and man-slut) Hank Moody, who hit it big with this book - which was made into a mediocre romantic comedy. Until the book was actually published, for real, it was purely a prop and part of the show.
I absolutely loved this book. The writing is very much like the brilliantly written show, which is one of the funniest shows I've seen. The book isn't quite as funny or exciting - it's fairly basic from a story perspective. But the writing is so smooth and flowing - whoever wrote the real book - I'm guessing it's the show's lead writer, Tom Kapinos - they have a style and voice like nothing I've read.
I would recommend this book to anyone. Very, very quick, easy read.
I absolutely loved this book. The writing is very much like the brilliantly written show, which is one of the funniest shows I've seen. The book isn't quite as funny or exciting - it's fairly basic from a story perspective. But the writing is so smooth and flowing - whoever wrote the real book - I'm guessing it's the show's lead writer, Tom Kapinos - they have a style and voice like nothing I've read.
I would recommend this book to anyone. Very, very quick, easy read.
April 25, 2011
While the book God Hates Us All does remind me a lot of Hank Moody and his self destructive lifestyle in the TV show Californication. This book reminded me more of Bret Easton Ellis’s cult classic book Less Than Zero. God Hates Us All follows the story of a lonely young man, desperate to find meaning to his lost and destructive life.
The book is a quick read, full of sex, drugs, rock & roll, abandonment, love, heart break and lust making this an enjoyable blend for an enjoyable read; but I think I got the most enjoyment out of the fact that I was reading a book called God Hates Us All during Easter.
The book is a quick read, full of sex, drugs, rock & roll, abandonment, love, heart break and lust making this an enjoyable blend for an enjoyable read; but I think I got the most enjoyment out of the fact that I was reading a book called God Hates Us All during Easter.
December 11, 2021
A fast, casual, relaxing read. Just what you need sometimes.
April 24, 2021
Californication dizisinin baş karakteri; Hank Moody'nin yazdığı hayali bir kitabın gerçeğe dönmüş hali. Bu özelliği ve o muhteşem kitap ismi ile dikkat çekse de üçüncü sınıf, vasatın altı, ucuz, kötü amerikan filmlerine benzeyen başarısız bir roman..
Kitap tanıtımında 4 kelimelik çok doğru özeti var : Drugs, Sex & Rock'n'Roll (Viski, ot ve pompa kutsal üçgeninde pis bir rocker' şeklinde çevirmişler.) Okunmasa da olur..
Kitap tanıtımında 4 kelimelik çok doğru özeti var : Drugs, Sex & Rock'n'Roll (Viski, ot ve pompa kutsal üçgeninde pis bir rocker' şeklinde çevirmişler.) Okunmasa da olur..
August 18, 2021
Nothing noteworthy that could stand on the literary stage, this is a quick book that can be read for the giggles and the nostalgia of wild university years, if the reader had the money/nationality to have a wild university time. I do not recommend that money be spent acquiring this book though.
April 28, 2019
Znam da je izmišljena knjiga od izmišljenog autora, ali sam svejedno od izmišljene knjige koja je u izmišljenom svetu bila dovoljno popularna da se ekranizuje očekivala više.
Slaba trojka. Pobludeli Nik Hornbi za gripozne. Ako tražite knjigu za razbijanje čitalačke blokade ili nešto što možete pročitati u kratkom roku sa dva ipo funkcionalna neurona predlažem da ovo delo uzmete u razmatranje.
Slaba trojka. Pobludeli Nik Hornbi za gripozne. Ako tražite knjigu za razbijanje čitalačke blokade ili nešto što možete pročitati u kratkom roku sa dva ipo funkcionalna neurona predlažem da ovo delo uzmete u razmatranje.
August 25, 2025
i want to thank the show for giving me half of my personality
April 1, 2020
April 2014.
Let My Love Open the Door by Pete Townshend
When people keep repeating
That you'll never fall in love
When everybody keeps retreating
But you can't seem to get enough
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
To your heart
When everything feels all over
Everybody seems unkind
I'll give you a four-leaf clover
Take all worry out of your mind
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
To your heart, to your heart
I have the only key to your heart
I can stop you falling apart
Try today you'll find this way
Come on and give me a chance to say
Let my love open the door
It's all I'm living for
Release yourself from misery
There's only one thing gonna set you free
That's my love
That's my love
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
When tragedy befalls you
Don't let it drag you down
Love can cure your problems
You're so luck I'm around
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
To your heart
-------
I am so clever :D did anyone get this :(
Codicil :
God Hates us All, is actually the title of the song by Avenged Sevenfold (I am listening to it rn) funnily enough, most of his books are named after songs, like South of Heaven and Seasons in the Abyss, both by Slayer and the titles of his novels. I thought that was a nice touch, interesting.
Oh, Hank Moody or Jesse Wallace, who is better, which one is More during these ashen days and dreary times, these dark days of the nonVikings. Flip a side, invert the Mobius Strip, toss a coin and see who would win and rule these wastelands.
Oddly enough, both David Duchovny and Ethan Hawkes are novelists.
Initially, I reviewed this back in July of 2017 and gave it four stars. I am adding another star. The starry reason? Well, She knows all the reasons for my doing so. Inside the tub she knows the reason why I am doing this.
Enough of this litany,
Let her Die
Inside
That Tub.
Addendum: Whilst obviously not as epically awesome nor awesomely epic as it was depicted in the show, the Showtime series, how can it be, this being a fiction of fiction, fiction about fiction, this book had no right being as well written and entertaining as it was. It was good.
February 16, 2013
The phrase "Drugs, Sex & Rock'n'Roll" never felt so good before.
I'm impressed how this book broke up all my stupid expectatives.
At first I thought it was some kind of inside joke, like some promotion for the Californication series, or a simple prop like a Death Note or a cosplay accesory. Turns out the book is great, and it deserves all the attention.
God bless you, Hank Moody. Even if you don't deserve it. This book gives to the series an aura of reality. Hank Moody is a great writer, you don't believe us? Here, read his book. Now Californication feels natural and right.
The story is good, the narrator is ironic and serious at the same time, and every page feels just like the character that is meant to be writing. I enjoyed this book mainly because it sounds real, it feels familiar, and it completes the David Duchovny character. Heck, he even thanks Charlie Runkle and his foxy wife Marcy at the end of the novel. Beautiful detail.
You totally can read this book if you haven't seen the series; the story is catchy, the narrator is outstanding, and the enviroment is unique. Nothing in this book feels wrong or exagerated, and if you know Moody, you'll laugh and understand every circumstance there is.
I'm impressed how this book broke up all my stupid expectatives.
At first I thought it was some kind of inside joke, like some promotion for the Californication series, or a simple prop like a Death Note or a cosplay accesory. Turns out the book is great, and it deserves all the attention.
God bless you, Hank Moody. Even if you don't deserve it. This book gives to the series an aura of reality. Hank Moody is a great writer, you don't believe us? Here, read his book. Now Californication feels natural and right.
The story is good, the narrator is ironic and serious at the same time, and every page feels just like the character that is meant to be writing. I enjoyed this book mainly because it sounds real, it feels familiar, and it completes the David Duchovny character. Heck, he even thanks Charlie Runkle and his foxy wife Marcy at the end of the novel. Beautiful detail.
You totally can read this book if you haven't seen the series; the story is catchy, the narrator is outstanding, and the enviroment is unique. Nothing in this book feels wrong or exagerated, and if you know Moody, you'll laugh and understand every circumstance there is.
June 23, 2011
I reallly really enjoyed this book - I was brought this book as a gift from my husband - At the time what I thought was a very strange gift - Its not my usual type of book - but I am sooo glad I gave it a go.
Anyone familiar with the series Californication starring the ever yummy David Duchovny will know what this book is - Hank Moody in the series is a Writer - down on his luck - with writers block and this cult book that he wrote several years before hand - this is the book.
I originally thought it was just a rather funny sort of merchandising from the TV show makers - but having read it - OMG its so much more then that, If you like the show youll love it because you can see the Character Hank Moody as the main character in the book - that sounds mroe confusing then it is... but you know what I mean lol.
If youve never seen the show - fear not - the book as a stand alone and is enjoyable none the less.
Anyone familiar with the series Californication starring the ever yummy David Duchovny will know what this book is - Hank Moody in the series is a Writer - down on his luck - with writers block and this cult book that he wrote several years before hand - this is the book.
I originally thought it was just a rather funny sort of merchandising from the TV show makers - but having read it - OMG its so much more then that, If you like the show youll love it because you can see the Character Hank Moody as the main character in the book - that sounds mroe confusing then it is... but you know what I mean lol.
If youve never seen the show - fear not - the book as a stand alone and is enjoyable none the less.
April 21, 2014
I’ve watched 5 series of Californication, and loved them, so I bought this book on a whim whilst browsing on Amazon. I didn’t expect much as it’s a book written by a fictional character, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I really enjoyed this and could barely put it down – only having to go to work or falling asleep with it in my hands stopped me from reading this in one go. It is narrated by the main character, and is very easy to read, with likeable characters, and funny dialogue.
The main character is a teenager who accidentally finds himself as a drug dealer in New York City, lives in the Chelsea Hotel for a while, pretending to be a poet, and falls in love with a model/girlfriend of an up and coming rockstar, whilst back at home, his father is having affairs, his mother is ill and his ex-girlfriend is mentally ill.
I think you can hear Hank’s voice behind this book, it’s avery good tie-in to the series, and i thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth a read.
I really enjoyed this and could barely put it down – only having to go to work or falling asleep with it in my hands stopped me from reading this in one go. It is narrated by the main character, and is very easy to read, with likeable characters, and funny dialogue.
The main character is a teenager who accidentally finds himself as a drug dealer in New York City, lives in the Chelsea Hotel for a while, pretending to be a poet, and falls in love with a model/girlfriend of an up and coming rockstar, whilst back at home, his father is having affairs, his mother is ill and his ex-girlfriend is mentally ill.
I think you can hear Hank’s voice behind this book, it’s avery good tie-in to the series, and i thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth a read.
December 13, 2010
This was too much fun of a read that deserved neither more nor less time than the day it took me to read it. The Ellis-like whirlwind nature of the storytelling was the perfect match for the characters and goings on. And there's even a nicely packaged coming-of-age moral to it, to boot.
I am deeply envious of whoever got to ghostwrite this novel, who deserves extra kudos for so freakishly delivering a voice that could be no one but Moody. I can't say it was a bad thing to actually hear David Duchovny's cadence in my head while I was reading this.
I am deeply envious of whoever got to ghostwrite this novel, who deserves extra kudos for so freakishly delivering a voice that could be no one but Moody. I can't say it was a bad thing to actually hear David Duchovny's cadence in my head while I was reading this.
May 25, 2011
A quick, fun read. I enjoyed the meta aspect of it: reading a fictional book of a fictional author from a TV show. But, more importantly, I enjoyed the actual book for its own sake: a wry tale of a jaded young man in NYC in the late 80's. Cue ill fated romance with models, parties with wanna-be rock stars and accidental drug dealing. It's basically a slightly less cynical version of Bret Easton Ellis' "Less Than Zero". Well-written and intriguing enough to make you wish it were a real novel by a real author and there was more where this came from.
April 3, 2016
This book was written to be a prop in the show, which is about all it is good for, as it turns out that fictional characters make contrived and pandering authors. Shame on me, I suppose. I gave it two stars because it had the mercy of being a quick read and I enjoyed the initial hipstertude acquired by saying "I only read fictional characters written by fictional characters" to people. You won this round, curiosity!
January 20, 2010
I read this because I really like the show (well, at least the first two seasons) and I wanted to see what they would come up with in this book. There were very few parallels between the two, and most of this book was one big CLICHE.
September 17, 2021
This was absolutely awesome. Alcoholic depressed writers are the best writers.
April 1, 2022
Hank needs to get his head of of his ass and write the sequel. 😂
April 29, 2024
...wait, hank moody isn't a real author? or even a real person?????? how could this be?!?!?!?!
okay, i understand that this is essentially a cash-grab promotional item for showtime's californication, and it also isn't the only avenue this show has taken to immerse itself in the real world, (see: the youtube account created that acted as a vlog for one of the shows main characters, mia lewis, during the airing of season 2). yet, it seems that the translation from literary genius and best-selling masterpiece that this novel is portrayed as in the show is lost completely here.
in the show, this isn't hank's debut, or even just some random novel he's written--it's considered his greatest work. even though this book's premise isn't a large part of the series, the actual book and it's success in-universe is key to major plot points throughout.
this tie-in just doesn't do it for me. this isn't an insult to grotenstein's writing, it really isn't his fault--i'm sure this is just another day's work and a paycheck for him. but this felt totally nonsensical for what we know of hank's character and how he writes. in fact, in scenes, we do get to hear him narrate his writing, and it is often poignant and deeply-thought out--he does have scenes of his writing that are witty, funny, and on par with this book's subject matter as well. but it really felt that this focused heavily on the shocking and vulgar without any of the substance you'd come to expect from him. i didn't enjoy this. not that i expected much, either, but this is really just meh.
hank's work in-universe is often compared to the likes of charles bukowski--if anyone cares in the year of 2024 to see how i envision a real-life hank moody novel--just save your time and read charles bukowski instead. oh yeah, and LOCK HIM UP!!! (iykyk).
okay, i understand that this is essentially a cash-grab promotional item for showtime's californication, and it also isn't the only avenue this show has taken to immerse itself in the real world, (see: the youtube account created that acted as a vlog for one of the shows main characters, mia lewis, during the airing of season 2). yet, it seems that the translation from literary genius and best-selling masterpiece that this novel is portrayed as in the show is lost completely here.
in the show, this isn't hank's debut, or even just some random novel he's written--it's considered his greatest work. even though this book's premise isn't a large part of the series, the actual book and it's success in-universe is key to major plot points throughout.
this tie-in just doesn't do it for me. this isn't an insult to grotenstein's writing, it really isn't his fault--i'm sure this is just another day's work and a paycheck for him. but this felt totally nonsensical for what we know of hank's character and how he writes. in fact, in scenes, we do get to hear him narrate his writing, and it is often poignant and deeply-thought out--he does have scenes of his writing that are witty, funny, and on par with this book's subject matter as well. but it really felt that this focused heavily on the shocking and vulgar without any of the substance you'd come to expect from him. i didn't enjoy this. not that i expected much, either, but this is really just meh.
hank's work in-universe is often compared to the likes of charles bukowski--if anyone cares in the year of 2024 to see how i envision a real-life hank moody novel--just save your time and read charles bukowski instead. oh yeah, and LOCK HIM UP!!! (iykyk).
March 27, 2025
Review by a Guy Who Once Tried to Pray but Ended Up Drunk in a Hotel Ice Machine
God Hates Us All reads like a bar fight between brilliance and self-loathing—with lust, loss, and literary rage all swinging wildly until someone breaks a nose and everyone goes home crying. It’s not just a book. It’s a confession. A breakdown. A love letter soaked in whiskey and set on fire because fuck it, she’s not coming back anyway.
Hank Moody writes like he’s one step from losing everything—again. And you believe every page, because we’ve all been one bad night from collapse. It’s raw, poetic, vicious. And honest in a way that most authors are too scared (or too sober) to be.
I read it like scripture. Highlighted the damage. Dog-eared the heartbreak. Smiled through the filth. It didn’t inspire me to be better. It inspired me to be realer. And then I went and wrote Dark & Stormy Nights, because Hank reminded me that beautiful disasters deserve to be documented, even if only to prove they happened.
If you’ve ever loved recklessly, written like you were dying, or stared at the bottom of a glass hoping for God and only finding yourself—this one’s for you.
5 out of 5 broken compasses pointing straight to hell.
God Hates Us All reads like a bar fight between brilliance and self-loathing—with lust, loss, and literary rage all swinging wildly until someone breaks a nose and everyone goes home crying. It’s not just a book. It’s a confession. A breakdown. A love letter soaked in whiskey and set on fire because fuck it, she’s not coming back anyway.
Hank Moody writes like he’s one step from losing everything—again. And you believe every page, because we’ve all been one bad night from collapse. It’s raw, poetic, vicious. And honest in a way that most authors are too scared (or too sober) to be.
I read it like scripture. Highlighted the damage. Dog-eared the heartbreak. Smiled through the filth. It didn’t inspire me to be better. It inspired me to be realer. And then I went and wrote Dark & Stormy Nights, because Hank reminded me that beautiful disasters deserve to be documented, even if only to prove they happened.
If you’ve ever loved recklessly, written like you were dying, or stared at the bottom of a glass hoping for God and only finding yourself—this one’s for you.
5 out of 5 broken compasses pointing straight to hell.
August 4, 2025
A fast paced story about a college kid down on his luck and a whirlwind that is his life for a couple of years. He starts getting to crime which leads to him meeting some interesting characters and learning life lessons a long the way. It was a good quick read but other than that it was a regular story
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