Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Harper Paperbacks (2004), Paperback
Description
Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: Marine biologist Nate Quinn is in love with the majestic ocean-dwelling behemoths who have been singing their haunting song for twenty million years. But why do the humpback whales sing? That's the question that has Nate and his crew filming, charting, and recording every whale that crosses their path. Until one day when a whale lifts its tail to display a message spelled out in foot-high letters: Bite Me.... No one has ever seen such a thing; not Nate's longtime partner, not world-renowned photographer Clay Demodocus, not their saucy young research assistant, Amy, not even spliff-puffing white-boy Rastaman, Kona. And when the film returns from the lab missing the crucial tail shot�and their research facility is trashed�Nate realizes that something very fishy is going on. It only gets weirder when a call comes in from Nate's big-bucks benefactor, saying that a whale has phoned her, asking for a hot pastrami and Swiss on rye. Suddenly the answer to the question that has driven Nate throughout his adult life is within reach. And it's not what anyone would think..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jmvilches
It should just be another day in paradise for Nate, action nerd biologist - researching whale song in Hawaii with his cute, smart-mouthed assistant Amy. But he starts to doubt his sanity when he sees words written on the tail of a whale, and returns to shore only to find that their office has been
Fluke is light, funny and fast-paced - perfect for a day at the beach. The absurdity level rises rapidly and the action escalates into a potential end-of-the-world scenario before plummeting back to just mildly warped reality. The plot is a little weak towards the end, but the memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and all-around zaniness definitely make up for it. Moore doesn't go completely overboard with the "save the whales" message, but he does include some serious whale info in an appendix.
The humor is very similar in tone to Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett with more of a scatological bent. This book caused a quite a few giggle-out-loud moments for me as well as a lot of quietly amused moments. While Fluke is my first Christopher Moore book, it will definitely not be my last.
4 Stars
Show More
trashed and their research destroyed. He and his partner Clay, an underwater photographer with strong feelings on loyalty, are baffled - who in the world cares that much about their whale research? Competing researchers with shady morals? Mysterious naval officers engaged in dubious projects? As the strange occurrences and disasters mount everyone pitches in to solve the mystery, including their newest assistant, Kona (a.k.a. Preston Applebaum), a dreadlocked stoner kid with surprising insights and Clay's girlfriend Clair, keeper of the booty and the wooden spoon of doom. In the end, the search for the secret of the whale song will lead to unimaginable locations and surprising revelations.Fluke is light, funny and fast-paced - perfect for a day at the beach. The absurdity level rises rapidly and the action escalates into a potential end-of-the-world scenario before plummeting back to just mildly warped reality. The plot is a little weak towards the end, but the memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and all-around zaniness definitely make up for it. Moore doesn't go completely overboard with the "save the whales" message, but he does include some serious whale info in an appendix.
The humor is very similar in tone to Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett with more of a scatological bent. This book caused a quite a few giggle-out-loud moments for me as well as a lot of quietly amused moments. While Fluke is my first Christopher Moore book, it will definitely not be my last.
4 Stars
Show Less
LibraryThing member 24girl
Based out of a Hawaiian island, Nate Quinn, his partner Clay and research assistant Amy spend their time cataloging and researching humpback whales and their songs. Nate’s mission is to find out why the humpback whales sing.
While out to sea one day Nate has a strange encounter with one of the
When Nate gets the pictures come back the incriminating photo is missing and soon there’s more trouble brewing for his team. Their office is wrecked and one of their ships gets stolen and is sunk. This leads him to believe that what he saw was real and someone will stop at nothing to keep that information from getting out.
Next thing you know Nate disappears while out in the water and while his crew thinks he’s lost at sea, Nate goes on the ride of his life and gets pulled into the middle of a strange man vs. the sea struggle for survival.
The first thing that comes to mind when trying to sum up this book is that it’s just plain weird. I read and loved Moore’s book Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal so I was really looking forward to this read. I can’t exactly say that I was disappointed because overall I did like the book but it was a bit of a let down that the writing wasn’t the same caliber as Lamb. In Lamb I was cracking up with every chapter and in Fluke there were a few chuckles but it wasn’t nearly as humorous. What does amaze me is how in the world Moore comes up with these crazy plots. I recommend this one for anyone who loves to read humorous fiction but don’t let this be your first Christopher Moore book. Save that title for Lamb.
While out to sea one day Nate has a strange encounter with one of the
Show More
great creatures. The underside of the whale’s fluke had the word Bite Me! written in foot-high black letters. With no one around to corroborate what Nate saw he can hardly believe it himself but he managed to get at least one photo snapped and he sends the film off for developing. When Nate gets the pictures come back the incriminating photo is missing and soon there’s more trouble brewing for his team. Their office is wrecked and one of their ships gets stolen and is sunk. This leads him to believe that what he saw was real and someone will stop at nothing to keep that information from getting out.
Next thing you know Nate disappears while out in the water and while his crew thinks he’s lost at sea, Nate goes on the ride of his life and gets pulled into the middle of a strange man vs. the sea struggle for survival.
The first thing that comes to mind when trying to sum up this book is that it’s just plain weird. I read and loved Moore’s book Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal so I was really looking forward to this read. I can’t exactly say that I was disappointed because overall I did like the book but it was a bit of a let down that the writing wasn’t the same caliber as Lamb. In Lamb I was cracking up with every chapter and in Fluke there were a few chuckles but it wasn’t nearly as humorous. What does amaze me is how in the world Moore comes up with these crazy plots. I recommend this one for anyone who loves to read humorous fiction but don’t let this be your first Christopher Moore book. Save that title for Lamb.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Archren
It may be too cheap and easy to say that “Fluke” is the Hitchhiker’s Guide equivalent for marine biologists. But how often does a science fiction book about whales inspire you to laugh out loud? In much the same way as HHGTTG, what makes this story really funny is the cast of supporting
At the start, this book seems to be a completely contemporary, if really funny, story about whale researchers in Hawaii. Anecdotes casually fly around, probably the funniest bits in the whole book. (In an Afterword, Moore mentions that all these were adaptations of stories he heard real biologists relate). The only odd thing about the first half is when Nate looks at the fluke of a diving whale (their identifying fingerprint), which appears to clearly have the words “BITE ME” printed on it. That firmly sets the tone of the novel.
Nate thinks he may actually be going insane, but enough other things happen to put the incident out of his mind: a break-in at his office, his good friend almost drowning, a boat sinking, etc. Then there’s the factions of whale researchers and their competing agendas. Several red herrings are set up, playing upon reader expectations, which add a nice touch.
In the second half, things take a turn for the decidedly odd. Nate becomes a little less interesting at this point, and his sections of adventures and discoveries sometimes drag. But the exploits of his land-based friends more than make up for it. For example, the scene of Nate’s “funeral” combines moments that call to mind the real painful awkwardness of these types of things, and then moments inciting loud giggling. This is the first book by Christopher Moore that I have read, but I suspect that it will be the first of many.
Show More
characters. Nate Quinn, the main character, can be a bit passive and whiney at times (like Arthur). But Kona, the pot smoking, white “Native Hawaiian” from New Jersey is simply an amazing creation, and Moore’s comic timing with his dialog is flawless. Then there’s Clay, the underwater photographer with a great sense of loyalty (a bit like Ford), and Amy, a very pale research assistant with useful skills and (as all the male characters note) a nice bottom (perhaps a bit like Trillian). That’s not even scratching the surface of the extensive set of sympathetically caricatured background cast. At the start, this book seems to be a completely contemporary, if really funny, story about whale researchers in Hawaii. Anecdotes casually fly around, probably the funniest bits in the whole book. (In an Afterword, Moore mentions that all these were adaptations of stories he heard real biologists relate). The only odd thing about the first half is when Nate looks at the fluke of a diving whale (their identifying fingerprint), which appears to clearly have the words “BITE ME” printed on it. That firmly sets the tone of the novel.
Nate thinks he may actually be going insane, but enough other things happen to put the incident out of his mind: a break-in at his office, his good friend almost drowning, a boat sinking, etc. Then there’s the factions of whale researchers and their competing agendas. Several red herrings are set up, playing upon reader expectations, which add a nice touch.
In the second half, things take a turn for the decidedly odd. Nate becomes a little less interesting at this point, and his sections of adventures and discoveries sometimes drag. But the exploits of his land-based friends more than make up for it. For example, the scene of Nate’s “funeral” combines moments that call to mind the real painful awkwardness of these types of things, and then moments inciting loud giggling. This is the first book by Christopher Moore that I have read, but I suspect that it will be the first of many.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mhgatti
Fluke started out very promising, with a bit of everything - a good story (about one marine biologist's lifelong search for the meaning of the humpback whale's song), a good cause (the fact that even though you don't see as many "save the whale" bumper stickers anymore, they still need saving), bad
And, for the first half of the novel, all of these elements gel to make for a fun ride. Then, somewhere around the middle the book, the story takes a unforeseen turn into science fiction that prevents the second half from being anywhere near as good as the first. I don't want to give to much away, so I'll just say that the story becomes such a fantasy that too much time is spent explaining it all away, at the expense of the smooth flow of the book up to that point. The story moves back and forth between the real world and the fantasy world, but their isn't much humor in the fantasy world and the attempts at humor in the real world are hampered by the absence of the protagonist (who's stuck in that un-real world).
Fluke wasn't a horrible story, but I was very disappointed in its sharp turn into the science fiction area, even if it wasn't your usual science fiction.
Show More
guys (the military, whalers, biologists on the take), wacky characters (like a wannabe-rastaman who started life as a Jewish kid from Jersey), and a pretty funny and irreverent writing style from Moore.And, for the first half of the novel, all of these elements gel to make for a fun ride. Then, somewhere around the middle the book, the story takes a unforeseen turn into science fiction that prevents the second half from being anywhere near as good as the first. I don't want to give to much away, so I'll just say that the story becomes such a fantasy that too much time is spent explaining it all away, at the expense of the smooth flow of the book up to that point. The story moves back and forth between the real world and the fantasy world, but their isn't much humor in the fantasy world and the attempts at humor in the real world are hampered by the absence of the protagonist (who's stuck in that un-real world).
Fluke wasn't a horrible story, but I was very disappointed in its sharp turn into the science fiction area, even if it wasn't your usual science fiction.
Show Less
LibraryThing member froggiesl
Another book of Christopher Moore's that I just couldn't get myself into. I think it was just to out there for my taste in reading. I like off the wall stuff, but off the wall stuff that might actually be real. His books in general are really good, and this one had a lot of great jokes and humor.
Show More
Check it out anyways you might like it. Show Less
LibraryThing member jennyo
Ok. I finally had a chance to read this book. I've been trying to get through a few that I'd promised to other people and a couple more for my reading groups. I'd had this one in my hot little hands (well, really on my nightstand) for at least a week now. I whipped through it in a few hours last
I'd try to give you a plot synopsis on this one, but I don't know where to begin. There are whales (obviously), whale researchers, a Rasta/haole/surfer dude/NJ boy, a Snowy Biscuit (don't ask, just read), whaley boys (these were great), and lots more.
This copy is staying on my personal shelf. Don't even try to talk me out of it. I won it in a contest and the AuthorGuy signed it for me. He was even kind enough to include the personalization on a separate note card "because the book is probably more valuable that way." I think it's priceless as is and will have to buy another copy to share.
Show More
night and tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Moore's very sarcastic, very funny, and I'm thinking possibly stoned out of his mind. How he comes up with stuff like this, I have no idea...but I'll keep reading his books as quickly as he can write them.I'd try to give you a plot synopsis on this one, but I don't know where to begin. There are whales (obviously), whale researchers, a Rasta/haole/surfer dude/NJ boy, a Snowy Biscuit (don't ask, just read), whaley boys (these were great), and lots more.
This copy is staying on my personal shelf. Don't even try to talk me out of it. I won it in a contest and the AuthorGuy signed it for me. He was even kind enough to include the personalization on a separate note card "because the book is probably more valuable that way." I think it's priceless as is and will have to buy another copy to share.
Show Less
LibraryThing member pastorsbacon
I have read all of Moore's books, and this is the only one I am ambivalent about. The plot and characters are really never development to capture the interest of the reader.
LibraryThing member welburn
Similar kind of humor to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy--a kind of ecocritically-motivated absurdity that reads quickly.
LibraryThing member beentsy
Excellent story telling and so funny. Christopher Moore makes me laugh out loud, which can be a bit embarassing on the bus!
LibraryThing member CheriePie69
A fairly good read, though definitely not my favorite Moore book. It didn't seem as satirical as his other books, perhaps because the subject matter was a bit more serious, and I didn't find myself laughing out loud as much as I have in previous Moore stories. It got off to a slow start and it
That said, I did like the book overall, and in a strange twist of fate, I actually learned a thing or two about whales in the process. (Moore includes some notes at the back stating which parts of the story were and were not based on truth and fact.) As I mentioned above, it became more zany and typical Moore in part 2, and I found myself liking the book a lot more after having reached that point. :)
The quote that BlueAmazon pulled out about "can I get an amen"... that was pretty funny! BlueAmazon, if you liked this book, you'll LOVE Moore's other stuff! He's definitely one of the most zany, satirical authors of our time.
Show More
wasn't until really part 2, about page 100 or so, that it became more like a typical Moore book. That said, I did like the book overall, and in a strange twist of fate, I actually learned a thing or two about whales in the process. (Moore includes some notes at the back stating which parts of the story were and were not based on truth and fact.) As I mentioned above, it became more zany and typical Moore in part 2, and I found myself liking the book a lot more after having reached that point. :)
The quote that BlueAmazon pulled out about "can I get an amen"... that was pretty funny! BlueAmazon, if you liked this book, you'll LOVE Moore's other stuff! He's definitely one of the most zany, satirical authors of our time.
Show Less
LibraryThing member whitewavedarling
While this book was entertaining, some of the ongoing jokes stopped being funny about halfway through. I'm a huge fan of Christopher Moore, but this book was a bit too far over the top with not enough realism to back it up and make it funny as opposed to more often silly. You'll enjoy it, but don't
Show More
expect it to live up to his other works. Show Less
LibraryThing member Niecierpek
Hilariously funny. The premise is not so strong, but the delivery is good.
LibraryThing member kaburns
I really enjoyed reading this book. I know next to nothing about whales and I really learned a lot in addition to enjoying the great characters Christopher Moore created. I'm just not sure how the book wound up in my library, a fluke perhaps ?
LibraryThing member VVilliam
A quirky book that explores the life of cetacean researchers. Moore does a great job of creating memorable scenes and his imagination really comes through. However, I found the book slow, especially in the beginning. Moore also does a great job with Kona, one of the best character accents I've read.
LibraryThing member mbergman
Like Lamb, this is offbeat, this time as a sort of science fiction story about a whale researcher who falls into a whale that turns out to be much more than it seems. There are flashes here of the brilliance and virtuosity of Tom Robbins, but it's not as sustained or as virtuosic.
LibraryThing member dawng
Moore's whole writing mission is to provide, fun, easy books to read. You probably won't find much for contemplation in his books but you will get a chuckle or two.
LibraryThing member land_mammal
This is hysterically funny, well-written, and he gets the Maui and whale-related facts pretty much right. Highly recommended!
LibraryThing member superblondgirl
Good, but not his best - I love Christopher Moore, but this one felt sort of disconnected. It started as a pretty straight novel and then got weird, instead of being weird all the way through. There were definitely some funny bits, but I didn't laugh out loud like I have with others of his.
LibraryThing member midlevelbureaucrat
Read this while lounging on a Bahamian beach last fall, while Hurricane something-or-other skimmed the northern edge of the islands. Christopher Moore is fast becoming one of my favorites, after reading this and "Lamb". He takes the unthinkable presence and crafts a wonderfully fun story. You'll
Show More
enjoy it. Show Less
LibraryThing member l_aurore
This was my first Christopher Moore book, and I am hooked! Moore was witty and outrageous in his comments and concepts throughout the book, and although the twists with each section of the book were shocking at first, because I'd already accepted that he was going to throw the most outrageous
Show More
devices at me, I was able to transition to each new direction the book took. Just don't expect it to be anything but bizarre and entertaining, and you won't be let down! Show Less
LibraryThing member fiddlersgreen
Who doesn't want to read a book about a whale with FUCK YOU on his tail?
LibraryThing member seafarer
It has been awhile since I read this, but anyyone who enjoys some humor in a serious book should try Christopher Moore.
LibraryThing member rbtwinky
This was my first experience reading Christopher Moore and I don’t think that it will be my last. I very much enjoyed his writing style and sense of humor. Several times during the book I laughed loudly enough for people around me to ask what was so funny. I felt the story itself started to lose
Show More
its draw after Nate left the surface, but the writing was still there. The world that he enters was a little too fantastical, and too much of a shift from what we had been seeing for me, especially with the way those around him acted. But, it was still a highly enjoyable novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member melissavenable
I found this one at a library sale and picked up because it was set in Hawaii. I lived in Hawaii but was traveling at the time. I could tell pretty quickly that there was a spiritual element (normally a turn off for me). The writing was so funny I pressed on often laughing out loud. The spiritual
Show More
message is there, but it's a palatable one and delivered by wonderful characters. You also learn a little about whales in the process. An da local pidgen, yeah. Show Less
LibraryThing member takieya
Certainly different than many of Moore's novels, but I really enjoyed this one a different level. It wasn't as consistently funny, much like Lamb - but the story was great. Christopher Moore never disappoints, and as I much as I've heard people say this novel is his weakest, I have to say that I've
Show More
enjoyed it as much as all of this other novels. Well worth the time. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original publication date
2003-06-03
Physical description
321 p.; 7.9 inches
ISBN
006056668X / 9780060566685