Fifteen years after losing most of his family to a devastating, pudding-related tragedy, Simon Debovar has settled into a life of self-imposed exile from the stinking, selfish morass of humanity. Content that his daily highlights will include hazelnut coffee, a long bath and the occasional jar of olives, his life is completely upturned by the discovery that his ornate living room carpet is the deciding factor in a bet between God and Satan.
When mysteriously well-timed carpet thieves deprive him of the crucial heirloom, Simon is forced to leave his hermit's existence behind for a world of angels, demons, witches and immortals.
And then it gets complicated.
When mysteriously well-timed carpet thieves deprive him of the crucial heirloom, Simon is forced to leave his hermit's existence behind for a world of angels, demons, witches and immortals.
And then it gets complicated.
"When the blurb on the back of a book compares an author to Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman, you can only hope that you're in for a treat. Justin Lee Anderson's work doesn't disappoint - the comparison is very accurate indeed.
Anderson's writing is a joy to behold - his characters are all well-rounded, and he sets each scene perfectly, filling each with snappy, hilarious dialogue. This is a book I will read again and again, and I will be keeping my eyes peeled for Anderson's next novel, as well as the inevitable news that this has been optioned by either the BBC or Hollywood. If you enjoyed Neil Gaiman's "Good Omens", then you'll LOVE this book!" British Fantasy Society
"Douglas Adams meets Heart-Shaped Box...There are so many delightful surprises showcased within these addictive and extremely witty pages. Anderson has a flare for rather classic characterisation from Simon's introvert insecurity to the potty-mouthed loudness of his alcohol-swilling Great Aunt Harriet (one of only three survivors of the Debovar dessert massacre), a double act that should go down in literary history...Must read now! 5 STARS."
SciFiNow
"Gloriously quirky and hilariously inventive, Anderson's storytelling challenges that of the great Robert Rankin for sheer tongue in cheek originality."
"Gloriously quirky and hilariously inventive, Anderson's storytelling challenges that of the great Robert Rankin for sheer tongue in cheek originality."
Liam Rudden, Entertainment Editor, Edinburgh Evening News
"A spiritual successor to Good Omens"
"A spiritual successor to Good Omens"
AK Alliss
'I laughed, I cried, I bought a fireside rug!'
'I laughed, I cried, I bought a fireside rug!'
Ian Pattison, creator of Rab C Nesbitt
"Anderson rockets onto the scene with this glorious romp of a book. It's packed with laughs, crazy adventures and characters you will love. Perfect for fans of Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman."
"Anderson rockets onto the scene with this glorious romp of a book. It's packed with laughs, crazy adventures and characters you will love. Perfect for fans of Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman."
Kim Curran
"Comedy gold!"
"Comedy gold!"
Heide Goody
