Mar 2, 2010

Tubular Tuesday: Review: GOING BOVINE

Wow. This book is f*ing A-Ma-Zing! In fact, it's not a book. It is an HBO mini-series playing in your mind, if LotR met Dude Where's My Car, had a baby, that baby grew up and met every epic teen novel and movie from the last fifteen years and they all had one big literary orgy. Protection was used. Kinda.

Going Bovine
by Libba Bray

Here's the blurb from Goodreads:
Cameron Smith, 16, is slumming through high school, overshadowed by a sister “pre-majoring in perfection,” while working (ineptly) at the Buddha Burger. Then something happens to make him the focus of his family's attention: he contracts mad cow disease. What takes place after he is hospitalized is either that a gorgeous angel persuades him to search for a cure that will also save the world, or that he has a vivid hallucination brought on by the disease. Either way, what readers have is an absurdist comedy in which Cameron, Gonzo (a neurotic dwarf) and Balder (a Norse god cursed to appear as a yard gnome) go on a quixotic road trip during which they learn about string theory, wormholes and true love en route to Disney World. Bray's surreal humor may surprise fans of her historical fantasies about Gemma Doyle, as she trains her satirical eye on modern education, American materialism and religious cults (the smoothie-drinking members of the Church of Everlasting Satisfaction and Snack 'N' Bowl). Offer this to fans of Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy seeking more inspired lunacy.

Going Bovine is more than an unusual book; it is abnormal, bizarre, controversial, and extraordinary. I am a quick reader; you could say that I am a big fan of quickies. This book took me TWO WEEKS to read. A record not broken since like 2006...yes, when I only read three books. This is not a basis by which to consider the book bad. The delay is all blogging's fault, well, my fault for blogging too much and not reading enough. Uh, back to the book.

Bray brings on an impressive cast of characters, from a drag queen to odd scientists to these weird happy cult people. Bray doesn't just hand you a sucker of fervor, she makes you work for your feelings toward the characters, for both good and bad. Frankly, the MC, Cameron, annoyed the hell outta me most of the time, but since he's dying, I had to cut him slack. Have you ever had a friend who was very sick, but they are annoying and insufferable - not from being sick, just because they're that way - and you find yourself loyally sticking by their side until they come to their "I am a bad person, what the hell is wrong with me" epiphany? No, okay, well, neither have I, but I found myself doing that with Cameron. Thankfully it's not just you and him in the room. You've got this hella funny Little Person, the friend that always makes you laugh, but they have weird quirks that make you laugh even hard when they are attempting to be serious. There's also the cool buddy that everyone likes, he's a garden gnome. You've got the above all of you friend, that is trying to be just like you, but no matter how hard they try, you continue to shine them in a different light, mostly because you're probably in love with them, oh and no one else can see them, which makes you look crazy. Oh, then there's you, the reader, the listener. You don't have any input on anything, but you are subject to every high and every low.


Living inside Cameron's head as he travels across the US after ditching the hospital with the LP is tedious, at times, and fantastically funny at others. The book takes place in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Bray gives us a satirical book based on completely believable characters, even the magical ones seem so right. I found myself rooting for Cameron because I wanted him to, like, save the world, but I also found myself rooting for Bray. She turns some of today's ideas: pop-culture, corporate America, etc., and shines on them an unfamiliar light. I laughed hysterically throughout the book. Some of the time because what she was telling us I felt to be completely true and other times because I felt I was learning something new in a way all teachers would envy. In the end, Bray's message is about life, reality, and our right to control the two.


Please forgive the long-winded and mostly discombobulated sorry excuse for a review. I so wish I had some powerful message to poetically place here, but, alas, you get a 'read the damn book!' instead. It will take patience, I will tell you that. It's not wrapped up in a pretty bow, but the last page will make it all so worth it. I dare you to stay a cynic. 5/5

22 comments:

  1. I just keep hearing such interesting things about this book. Must read it soon!

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  2. I haven't read a bad review yet, and I enjoyed yours. Thanks!

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  3. I think I have to add that book to my list. Thanks!

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  4. Don't have a cow, man!
    But I will put this on my To Read. I like strange and funny.

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  5. I love Going Bovine as well. At first, I was disappointed that this wasn't anything like Libba Bray's other books, but then I started reading and forgot all about that.

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  6. It is interesting, you are the second trusted reader I had review this for me and both said to read but it seems as if there are some caveats. It certainly sounds interesting. But did Bray go too far? Have you read The Order of Odd Fish? That book was also strange and silly but I felt as if it could have been smaller, edited down and I would have enjoyed it more. I think readability is important. Did Bray sacrifice that in her silliness? Which I admire, btw and want badly in my own writing but without expending too much of my reader's energy for it.

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  7. Yes, add it away people. At least for discussion's sake!

    Alissa - Bray has done herself a major service here, I had no interest in her other books, but now I cannot wait to dive in and at least see the differences. But her voice as an author is so charming and captivating.

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  8. TLL - I put that book on my To-Read list, per your profile. I don't think Bray sacrificed anything here. She got her message out, but she taught a lesson before hand.

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  9. I've been wanting to read this. Thanks for the push.

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  10. Sounds like an interesting book. I keep seeing its name popping up.

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  11. Sometimes I wish "read the damn book" added up to 400 words.

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  12. What you describe sounds fascinating. Quick question: mad cow disease is fatal, right?

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  13. I'm currently number 7 on the waiting list for Going Bovine from my public library. I hope those other six people get through it fast, cause you've gotten me even more excited to read it.

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  14. Paul - No prob!

    Rena - Interesting doesn't even scratch the surface.

    Anita - Your job would sure be a lot easier, but I like your words too much to condone that,

    Robert - Yes, it's fatal.

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  15. Kate - It's not a quick read, so the best thing is for you to completely forget about it and not be waiting for the call.

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  16. Dude, I suppose I should try it again. Great review!

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  17. Thanks for the review. I'm definitely going to put this on my list. And, I liked your review, too. Don't sell yourself short.

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  18. It was definitely an awesome book! I <3 Libba Bray.

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  19. Elana - After your email, these words surprise me...I hope you do!

    Heather - But I am short. 6'.

    Mariah - I know you love it and I am glad we share that love!

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  20. LOL I totally get the message! Libba's commercial for her book was enough to make me want to read the book - but now with a Jon recommendation? It's an IN.

    Oh, and my button's up there!? I nearly cried! Except, it looks like crap. Guess I have to work on sharpening it up a bit, lol. Thanks Jon. **smooch** that's for being so cool. ♥

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  21. Ali - Read and then we can force Elana to give it a second chance.

    I have been contemplating a button for myself, but I have no idea how to get the HTML box like you have. Email me so I can grow my empire!

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  22. I loved this book too and it was really interesting and thought-provoking while also being hilarious. It took me a while to read it too, but it was just so good. Great review! :)

    Question for you, actually... although it is spoilery (nothing huge though), so maybe I'll ask in email. lol

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:D