Fool: A Novel Audiobook, by Christopher Moore Play Audiobook Sample

Fool: A Novel Audiobook

Fool: A Novel Audiobook, by Christopher Moore Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Euan Morton Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Fool Series Release Date: February 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780061768682

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

61

Longest Chapter Length:

12:16 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

32 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

08:32 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

18

Other Audiobooks Written by Christopher Moore: > View All...

Listeners Also Enjoyed:

Publisher Description

“Hilarious, always inventive, this is a book for all, especially uptight English teachers, bardolaters, and ministerial students.”

Dallas Morning News

Fool—the bawdy and outrageous New York Times bestseller from the unstoppable Christopher Moore—is a hilarious new take on William Shakespeare’s King Lear…as seen through the eyes of the foolish liege’s clownish jester, Pocket. A rousing tale of “gratuitous shagging, murder, spanking, maiming, treason, and heretofore unexplored heights of vulgarity and profanity,” Fool joins Moore’s own Lamb, Fluke, The Stupidest Angel, and You Suck! as modern masterworks of satiric wit and sublimely twisted genius, prompting Carl Hiassen to declare Christopher Moore “a very sick man, in the very best sense of the word.”

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"A comedic take on Shakespeare's King Lear, Moore gives us the store through the eyes of the fool, Pocket. The traditional cast of characters is all there, plus a few notable additions: a cameo (or two) by the Wyrd Sisters of MacBeth fame, as well as a few yeomen, servers, and Pocket's apprentice fool Drool, a "Natural" fool who lives up to his namesake. Some lines are conned straight out of the play's text; others, not so much. The plot, while familiar to those who have read the play, centers around Pocket's attempts to right wrongs and cause a war, all the while trying to get himself under the skirts of any willing woman. Just as in Shakespeare, coarse language and bathroom humor abounds (although slightly more recognizable as such to a modern audience than some of the Elizabethan counterparts), so those with delicate sensibilities might want to pass this one by. Personally though, I feel this retelling would have done the Bard proud, he himself not being one to pass up a good dirty joke or three!"

— Alia (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Funny, literate, smart, and sexy, all at once!”

    — Jeff Lindsay, New York Times bestselling author of the Dexter series 
  • “[Moore’s] version of Shakespeare’s Fool, who accompanies Lear on his slide from paternal arrogance to spiritual desolation in the original text, simultaneously honors and imaginatively enriches the character.”

    — San Francisco Chronicle
  • “Moore is a very clever boy when it comes to words. There are good chuckles to be had in this tale...Just enjoy.” 

    — USA Today
  • “Often funny, sometimes hilarious, always inventive, this is a book for all.”

    — Dallas Morning News
  • “[A] riotous adventure.”

    — Winnipeg Free Press
  • “It’s hard to resist so gleeful a tale of murder, witchcraft, treason, maiming, and spanking...Moore’s deft ear for dialogue keeps the pages turning...Fool is a wickedly good time.”

    — Christian Science Monitor
  • “A manic, masterly mix—winning, wild, and something today’s groundlings will applaud.”

    — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
  • “Multimedia entertainer Euan Morton’s energetic narrating talents are on full display...Working with more than a dozen characters, Morton individualizes each to his or her utmost potential...Moore is infamous for tackling ‘untouchable’ subjects with biting humor, and Morton’s whip-smart tongue doesn't waste a line.” 

    — AudioFile
  • “Wall-to-wall, farcical fornicating and fighting…a jolly good time can be had.”

    — Booklist
  • “Scottish actor/singer Euan Morton does a fine job of voicing the irrepressible Pocket as he plots to save Cordelia from her sisters’ machinations, delivering Pocket’s many playful jibes with effective comic timing. Numerous other characters are also well defined by his reading.”

    — Library Journal (audio review)

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • A Publishers Weekly bestseller
  • USA Today bestseller
  • A Los Angeles Times bestseller
  • A San Francisco Chronicle bestseller
  • A Washington Post bestseller
  • Selected for the March 2009 Indie Next List

Fool Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.74358974358974 out of 53.74358974358974 out of 53.74358974358974 out of 53.74358974358974 out of 53.74358974358974 out of 5 (3.74)
5 Stars: 15
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 3
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Definately a book to read if you understand old english, and love comedy. "

    — B.J., 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I've spent a lot of time wrestling with my feelings on this book. What works about it seems to work almost despite the efforts of Christopher Moore. It's always interesting to see Shakespeare reimagined in another context and watching Moore fill in the plot to fit around the play was kind of fun and rewarding. That said, he makes some changes to the characters that I didn't quite understand. I'm not married to the source material, but drastically changing the basic character archetype for Lear kind of debilitates the power of the narrative. Perhaps most damning (and this grieves me to admit) is the fact that Moore's sense of humor may actually be too juvenile for me to appreciate. It's relentlessly abrasive and crass and it lacks any subtlety or wit. He also seems fascinated with the idea that British slang is inherently hilarious, a claim which may only hold true if you've literally never heard it before. As a humorous novel, this book seems to undermine itself on a basic level. No parent would knowingly provide this for their middle schooler and no adult ought to be taken in by its bludgeoning approach to laughter. "

    — Ben, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is my first book by Moore... And he is a really really funny writer. It was an easy read, but I just couldn't get into it. Just something about the whole thing just made me feel like finishing the book was a chore. It was funny once I got started, but it wasn't enough to pull me in. "

    — Latasha, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Dog-f**ingly funny. Great book that turns Shakespeare's King Lear from a tragedy to a dark comedy. Loved it! "

    — Mike, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! If Shakespeare was like this in High School I might have enjoyed English 101! "

    — Albert, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I picked up this book because it was described as a funny read by a reader in a Real Simple Magazine article. I should have been tipped off when one of the blurbs on the back of the book was from Playboy. Fool has an interesting premise, but all the very unsexy sex was off putting. I was prewarned in the 'Warning', though, so I can't say that I didn't know it was going to be a bawdy tale! "

    — Patti, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Despite normally being a fan of Moore, I was rather disappointed with this book. He is so good at thinking up his own strange and funny plots, why use someone else's? This book's plot is based more or less on King Lear, but from the point of view of the court jester. It is funny and enjoyable, but not spectacular. "

    — Charlie, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Maybe the best-written, funniest book I can think of. If you don't appreciate "Fool", I probably don't want to know you. "

    — Owen, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Hilarious as always - not quite as good as the other books though... "

    — Susanne, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " My new favorite book. If you like Shakespeare and wit, you will love this book. Moore is a master of the English language. "

    — Terra, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Love Christopher Moore, he can always make me laugh. I found this book very funny considering it the premise. "

    — Lynnie, 12/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Unfunny, unengaging, subtle like a fist to the face and a general waste of time and paper. "

    — Joanna, 11/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Not as good as his others so far. "

    — Ashley, 11/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Mostly a good story - but it's hard to keep the characters straight. "

    — Hilary, 11/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I think Christopher Moore is either a genius or completely off his rocker! If I had to pick only one author whose books I could have on abandoned island; it would be the works of Christopher Moore. "

    — Roxy, 10/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Absolutely hilarious! I'm a Shakespeare fan anyway, and this puts things in a new perspective! "

    — Amber, 9/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Wild, profane and hilarious!! This is a great story told from a very funny point of view! "

    — Mallory, 6/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. I laughed out loud so many times that I felt (and looked) like an insane person. "

    — Amanda, 6/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " funny but sometimes hard to read because of his use of olde english. "

    — Joseph, 3/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I couldn't get through this one. I really liked Christopher Moore's other books but I couldn't get into this one. It is a satire of Shakespeare and just wasn't interesting enough. "

    — Jennifer, 3/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Couldn't make it past the first chapter, and I usually really like his stuff. "

    — Jennifer, 11/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It had been quite a while since I read King Lear but this re-imagining was extremely entertaining! I was laughing out loud at the language - bravo Mr. Moore! An incredibly creative re-telling of the story! "

    — Katie, 11/10/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was not the normal Christopher Moore fast read for me...I had to make three attempts before it turned in to that. I think the issue for me was the character names (Bubble, Drool, Taster), for some reason it took me a while to keep everyone straight. Once I did though, it went by really quick! "

    — Theresa, 9/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I haven't laughed so hard at a book ever! I listened to this on audio book. The humor is biting and constant. "

    — Dusty, 9/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Nothing less than you would expect from Moore. The footnotes were great. Definitely worth the read but it's not my favourite from him. "

    — Deidre, 8/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is an excellent book if you know King Lear. If you don't know the Shakespeare play I would reccommend reading it before tackling this book. For the senstive there are a lot of sexual references in this book. "

    — Kim, 8/10/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a fun romp but slowed down a little at the end when things got a bit more serious. Nice new take on old tale of Shakespeare's King Lear--the fool did it. No kidding. According to this book, the fool was behind it all. Funny, fun, and the serious bits at the end gave it depth. "

    — Jerrie, 7/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A scream. Even funnier than "A Dirty Job". Pretty risque in places (OK, very risque), but witty dialogue on every page, and the Fool gets the girl. What man doesn't like THAT happy ending? "

    — Craig, 1/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A fantastic retelling of Lear from the Fool's point of view. "

    — Matthew, 8/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Clever, but a bit sophomoric for my tastes. "

    — Jennifer, 6/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The story of King Lear from the Fool's point of view. Have I mentioned that I love Christopher Moore. "

    — Cheryl, 6/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was the first Christopher Moore book I ever read. I laughed out lound and even snorted a couple of times. A must read!!! "

    — Susan, 6/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very funny take on King Lear. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. "

    — Vicki, 6/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " My favorite author AND my favorite playwright IN ONE!!!! My little eyes lit up like a Christmas Tree "

    — Retta, 6/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Although hilarious, this book fell short; very short to what i expected! I felt it had no plot line.. All the time i was thinking to myself, "when is this story going to start?" I stopped at page 132... "

    — Charlie, 6/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fun. I wish I could incorporate some of the language into my daily office job. "

    — Eric, 6/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I "read" it as an audio book. I had problems keeping focus on the story. It was OK. I may try and find the book and actually read it and hopefully find why people seem to like it. "

    — Barbara, 6/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Hilarious as usual for Christopher Moore. It combines his typical wackiness and silliness with supernatural and religious themes, adding in a little love story and some heart. "

    — Christian, 6/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " pee-in-your-pants funny woke my wife up because I was laughing so loud, couldn't stop reading even after I was supposed to be sleeping "

    — EdgarH, 5/27/2011

About Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore writes satirical fiction. Known for his colorful characters and imaginative story lines, he has gained a cult following for his books, many of which have become New York Times bestsellers.

About Euan Morton

Euan Morton is an Earphones Award–winning narrator. As an actor and singer, he is best known for his role as Boy George in the musical Taboo, which earned him a Laurence Olivier Award nomination. He reprised the role on Broadway, earning him the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut, as well as nominations for the ony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League awards. His other stage performances include Leaves of Glass, Sondheim on Sondheim, and Cyrano De Bergerac.