Background
Published in March of 2006, “A Dirty Job” is a darkly comedic novel written by Christopher Moore that follows the life of Charlie Asher, a San Francisco bookstore owner who unexpectedly becomes a “death merchant” after the death of his wife. Charlie discovers that he is a “beta male,” a person who collects the souls of the dying and must help guide them to their next destination. As Charlie navigates his new job and the strange underworld of San Francisco’s supernatural community, he becomes embroiled in a battle between good and evil that could determine the fate of humanity. The book is both hilarious and thought-provoking, exploring themes of mortality, family, and what it means to be a hero in a world full of darkness.
My Thoughts
My intent was to read something a little lighter so I looked up the best amusing novels. This one came up on the list so I checked it out.
It was certainly engaging but a little rougher around the edges for my tastes. Certainly the idea of retrieving souls is interesting but I think they didn’t quite stick the landing at the end.
Recommendation
It was Ok.