Murphy
Drummer seems to be bad luck on sneakers, the black cat that crosses your path,
the mirror that shatters at your feet. In general, disaster follows whenever
he's around. And it's been that way ever since he was a little kid.
Although you
somewhat pity the poor boy, you also can't help but chuckle at all the bumbling
catastrophes that happen. Too funny!
In a way and
certainly on occasion, we all feel like Murphy--an outcast, a buffoon, a jinx,
a pariah on society. But what makes Murphy so exceptional is not the bad luck
he draws, but the unique talents he quickly absorbs, like speed-reading. Wow,
he was a smart boy! Pretty soon, he becomes an expert linguist, an exceptional
speller, a fast typist, a great musician, and a primo craftsman and builder.
And that's how, ladies and gentlemen, he becomes the Hobby Guy.
Even though
bad luck magically appears with Murphy, some good luck follows. At times,
Murphy is able to prevent certain disasters, almost being able to foresee them
before they happen like some clairvoyant. He was almost like a superhero. Cool!
Of course, to us, it seems cool, but to a hard-headed philosopher like Murphy,
it's all about the peace, harmony, and the "vibrations of the
universe." Weirdo! I admit, I was a little put off by Murphy's
"song" and the whole Xanadu "wax on, wax off" theory.
C'mon, anybody would think that's a load of whooey. He was definitely a Forrest
Gump--an introverted man-child with exceptional talents and a dry, alien
personality.
Somehow
Murphy intrigues and captures the attention of Joy, a dedicated journalist, and
surrounding the odd, budding friendship between the two is a cast of reclusive
characters sharing their sorrows, fears, and ambitions. Superstition and luck
play a key role in the story, and readers will certainly enjoy seeing how these
characters handle the events foretold by the enchanting tarot cards. You'll
want to hang on to your rabbit's foot for this one.
A witty,
plucky, and strange novel!
My rating: 3.5 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment