Don't Point That Thing At Me
by
Kyril Bonfiglioli
Read February-March, 2007
Copy checked out from Ramsey County Public Library, Roseville branch
Essay written June 21st, 2007
I wonder if I would have liked this as much as I did if I wasn't such a big fan of the movie "Withnail and I." It had that same tone. Lots of booze, slapstick, Latin, atrophied British aristocracy. This book had it all. If I recall correctly, the blurb on the back of this paperback copy compared it to P.G. Wodehouse. Apt. Loads of fun.
Not for the weak of stomach, however. American readers, such as myself, will have trouble. Heck, maybe British readers too, how would I know? I'm talking about the vocabulary and idioms. It's like a whole different language, but more so. I don't have any problems understanding Zadie Smith.
Also, the plot was hard to follow. There are things alluded to that turn out to be pretty important as regards the plot that if you missed them you will be utterly lost. And the ending was baffling. But maybe, again, I missed something and it all made sense after all. I mean, I know there are more books in the series, and that Charlie Mortdecai must therefore survive, as well as Jacques, but what the...?
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