god went fishing-great literature or sacrilege

[Allie O]

Seems to me that "God Went Fishing" is a great book. It is the most intriguing book I have ever read-and the most fun. If someone has not read "Candide" and doesn't watch "Family Guy" and doesn't notice that this is a satirical novel, she might be very disappointed by the style of the book-but the substance-that is another matter. The bad guys all receive their comeuppance or their redemption-the stone cold psychopathic killer becomes a compassionate man afraid for the well being of Sigmund, the major character while the unrepentant pederast is run over by-guess who. And Marnie, the tormented nurse turned prostitute knows that the most important thing in life is a flat stomach and remarks cynically about the Priest-'Thank Heavens for Little Boys' was his theme song. The thing is, and I am probably missing the boat, the substance is secondary to the style, and the style is exceedingly funny. The book does have a happy ending despite all the death and betrayal-I think.

[LeeAnn Dworkin]

God is good, life is good and this book stinks-typical eastern establishment crap. I don't have to read candide or watch family guy to know that the characters are immoral and that Sigmund is no hero. Allie O, read the Bible. You'' be a lot better off.

[DR. PANGLOSS]

Mmmmm.....how do I answer this?  Without resorting to ad hominem  remarks, let me say, no book is good to everyone. Candide's characters were immoral, because there are immoral people in life but that doesn't mean that Voltaire was immoral. Actually Dennis Shields kills off a lot of the immoral people and has the good people succeed, and has more of a message of hope than Voltaire ever did-he offers the possibility of redemption, although given the suprise ending, maybe he doesn't. Hard to figure the book out, but it is well worth reading and certainly enjoyable.