Thu 9 Aug 2012
Reviewed by Allen J. Hubin: KINKY FRIEDMAN – When the Cat’s Away.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[5] Comments
Allen J. Hubin
KINKY FRIEDMAN – When the Cat’s Away. Beach Tree/Morrow, hardcover, 1988. Berkley, paperback, 1989.
When the Cat’s Away is the third of Kinky Friedman’s novels about “himself.” Friedman the character lives in New York, but what he does there is by no means clear.
Occasionally he’s drawn into felonious matters, as here when he’s asked by a friend to track down a catnapped feline. The spoor leads to a hotel room, sundry mysterious messages, and a corpse. Kinky also seems to be cast in the unwilling and possibly terminal role of catalyst in the city’s cocaine wars.
An amusing narrative, with some enjoyably burlesqued characters, but I lost interest and belief in the proceedings along the way.
Vol. 11, No. 1, Winter 1989.
Previously on this blog:
Elvis, Jesus & Coca Cola (reviewed by Barry Gardner)
August 10th, 2012 at 7:21 am
I read the first Kinky Friedman book because Barry Gardner was such a fan, and our views so often coincided. In this case, however, not so much. I’m with Al.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:51 am
Reading the comments after Barry’s review of ELVIS, JESUS & COCA COLA, which I posted here a couple of years ago, I see that I sort of promised to try one of Friedman’s books.
I have to admit that I have not yet done so. There is a possibility that I may follow through on this, but as the years go on, I’d have to admit that the chances are getting awfully slim.
August 10th, 2012 at 11:10 am
I enjoy Kinky’s books, but you can’t go in expecting a typical mystery. His books are more interested in humor and the characters. Told in first person, the books feel more like listening to a half drunk guy in a bar tell stories.
His music is a little too regionally over the top (drunken Texan) for my taste, but also has a cult following.
A visit to his website (http://www.kinkyfriedman.com) will give you an idea of what to expect from the writer/musician. I need to buy one of his books in audio format with Kinky himself reading the book.
August 10th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
I’m fairly sure I know what to expect, and that’s part of the problem. I don’t mind listening to a half drunk guy in a bar tell stories, but I have to want to be in the bar at the time when he starts telling them.
August 13th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Intrigued by the premise of the books and the fact the author was running for President at the time I picked up a handful of them. A friend applauded my taste, but I still haven’t read any of them — nor am I likely to. Just not enough time. (How long ago was this?)