Coyote Blue: A Novel

Blending modern and ancient forklore in the Blender of Comedy, C. Moore has scored another hit against the modern world's belief in it's on sanity. Outrageously funny satire in the style of Douglas Adams and backhanded social commentary.

Very compelling, easy read. Christopher Moore consistently provides interesting, well-researched material. He has used a great background to introduce "Coyote" to the uninitiated. Have already passed it on to my daughters.

Ok, I might be biased because I love anything Christopher Moore writes. I've been a fan for many years. Love his twisted, warped, sense of humor, yet he still has a warmth and respect for the subject or culture he is writing about. I read Coyote Blue years ago, but lost it in a move, hence my order.

Love this author and I lost my original copy some how. Finally found a copy online and purchased it immediately. Could be more satisfied with my purchase. Got the book fast and in great condition. Have purchased several more of Moore's book since and have been completely satisfied with each purchase.

I really enjoy Christopher Moore's books, but this one was my least favourite of all. I didn't care for any of the characters; they were all a bit obnoxious and I didn't find myself rooting for any of them. The story was also a bit hard to follow and strange (even for Moore).

I wish I could find something good to say about this book, but unfortunately I really didn't enjoy it. HOWEVER, my husband thought it was great! It really just depends on your taste.

I love Christopher Moore’s sense of humour and Coyote Blue doesn’t disappoint. The other thing I love about Moore is that he does his research, which he certainly does in this novel. The story is about a man from the Crow nation and the details of the culture and stories feel authentic and respectful.

Coyote Blue follows the life of Sam, going back and forth from his time as an adolescent on the Crow reserve to his life in Santa Barbara as a successful insurance salesman, until the trickster god, Coyote, decides to wreck havoc through his life.

Moore takes us on a journey to imagine how the ancient gods exist in the modern world. Sam is a character we can sympathize with, just trying to live his life the best way he knows how under strange and, at times, terrible circumstances. Coyote is fabulous, an absolutely outrageous character with no moral qualms about anything.

And, like any good story, it is strewn with “truths.” Probably my favourite line in the book is when Sam is contemplating all of the upheaval in his life: “His life was back to normal, and normal wasn’t good enough anymore. He wanted real.”

Coyote Blue made me laugh, made me think, and kept me up late reading so I could see how it all ended.

Book reviews are so subjective at times. I'm afraid this is one such review. In a different head space I might have really enjoyed Coyote Blue. But so much of the satire felt forced to me and at times missed the mark of "satire" entirely to become just plain silly. Perhaps I wasn't in the mood for 'silly,' I don't know.

The book was difficult for me to get through because of the silliness. I realize that when you have a trickster god as a main player, silliness must certainly abound. But there is much to be said for a methodology behind madness, or in this case, a point to the silliness. Some had a point, some clearly didn't. It was a craps shoot.

But I can't say it wasn't well done. We follow Sam, a man who can morph and change before your eyes into anything you need him to be,(in other words, a salesman), back to a child on the Native American reservation, and find out why he is in hiding as a "whitey" in California. A series of portentous events lead him to a beautiful-but-brain-dead young woman with a child, and concurrently, the end of his perfectly coiffed world as he knows it. Enter the Trickster God, Coyote. Coyote and Sam go on a wild quest together to save the day and the girl and along the way, Sam's old beliefs in magic and destiny are revived.

Moore does a great job of tying up the ending into a big happy family of happenstances, and for that, along with the deeper themes being brought to the fore, I tip my hat. But the journey to get to that point was, for me, a bit tedious. I didn't get the laugh-out-loud jolts of humor I found in Lamb, but I did get a satisfying ending that almost made up for all of the 'silly.' Almost.

Coyote Blue: A NovelCoyote Blue, by Christopher Moore is, though not one of his best-known works, among my favorites. The story of a Crow who runs from the reservation fearing that he has killed a policeman, Coyote Blue incorporates native American story-telling style (and perhaps substance--I don't know enough Crow legends to judge) and Moore's signature wry humor over fantastic characters (in this case, gods and their avatars/servants/victims) involved in petty human and god interactions). And the characters are memorable, although the heroine is a bit of a Mary Sue, Samson Hunts Alone is pretty darned memorable, from his boyish beginnings through his murder of a policeman to his murder of a bloodthirsty biker. Sam hides from justice, then gets so good at hiding that only Coyote will play hide-and-seek with him, for reasons only Coyote knows.

I listened to the Audible recording of this, and found the reader quite helpful in making the girl a less whiny Mary Sue and making the wise old uncle more crotchety (as befits wisdom. Have you noticed how many wise people are thoroughly pissed off?--but I digress).

Coyote Blue is Moore's second novel. It probably has, in my opinion, characters which are his least likeable, but that doesn't mean you still don't want to know what is going to happen to them. Less overall eccentric characters than his other early novels but still enough for you to enjoy. If you've never read a Moore novel before I would recommend starting with Practical Demonkeeping or Bloodsucking Fiends first to really get a feel for what Moore style is all about but if this is the novel you've purchased you'll still get a fairly high dose of it.

In Coyote Blue we follow the life of Samson Hunts Alone, a Crow Indian who fled the reservation 20 years ago after killing a sleazy corrupt cop and took up the white persona of Samuel Hunter. He's become quite successful, has a nice condo (complete with eccentric neighbours), has a fair bit of money and good job. He's about to meet an ancient Crow Indian who goes by the name Coyote (who wanted to be called Eagle but you'll have to read the book to find out why he missed out). Coyote isn't the brightest ancient Indian god on the planet and certainly is happy to partake in pleasures of the flesh. His flesh can however resemble a number of creatures one being his namesake a Coyote. He's about to change Samuel's life forever and give him an understanding of his cultural heritage wether he wants it or not.

Fans of Moore will be delighted to meet a character named Minty Fresh, in Vegas who appears in the later Moore adventure A Dirty Job.

If you like the surreal eccentric character novels and have read everything Moore has written also check out the authors Bill Fitzhugh (Pest Control's a great place to start), Carl Hiassen (Stormy Weather's as good as any other), Dave Barry (Tricky Business) and Max Barry (Syrup).

Christopher Moore has carved out his own little niche in the fictional world with his brand of humorously supernatural stories. In Bloodsucking Fiends, he wrote about the logistical difficulties of being a vampire. In Practical Demonkeeping, he dealt with devils and djinns. Now, in Coyote Blue, he involves Indian gods (with a touch of Egyptian mythology for good measure).

Coyote Blue follows Sam Hunter, a successful Santa Barbara insurance salesman in his mid-thirties. What no one knows is he was once Samson Hunts Alone, a Crow Indian who fled the reservation twenty years earlier after throwing a brutally corrupt cop off of a dam. Now, Sam finds his good life suddenly turned upside down: he has major problems at both work and home, but on the plus side, he has fallen for attractive single mother Calliope Kincaid, who in turn has fallen for him.

The cause of all this chaos? Sam's spirit guide Old Man Coyote, an Indian trickster god who alternates between being helpful and harmful. Although at first rather elusive, Old Man Coyote does eventually manifest himself fully to Sam, who finds having such a deity as a sort of guardian angel is more of a hindrance than a benefit. Their uneasy alliance is put to the test when Calliope goes after her child's father, a drug-dealing biker who took the kid with him on a trip to Vegas and points beyond.

Of the three Moore books I have read, this is probably the weakest, maybe because this is one of early works and he may still be honing his craft. The story's biggest problem is probably the middle when the focus gets away from Sam and shifts to Old Man Coyote, who is all power and little wisdom. But even weak Moore is fun to read, so although it rates a low four stars, it is definitely a cut above three-star material. This may not be the best Moore book to be introduced to him with, but it will not really disappoint either.

I really enjoyed this book very much. Moore has definitely developed some great characters in this book. The first and most important of these characters would have to be the Coyote. Coyote is the ego that everyone wants to have because he is not hindered by the ways of the present and he lives his life how he sees fit. If he sees a homely secretary sitting in the office, he wont hold himself back with restraint and he will dive right in head first. No homely secretaries, animals, couches, cars or credit cards are safe with this fellow. The other main character is Sam Hunter. Sam started off with a normal life on an indian reservation and his crazy uncle took him out into the desert to have his medicine dream and this where sam's life began to take a change in direction. Some of my favorite parts are the dialogues between Coyote and Sam and the reason for this is because Coyote reminds me much of a 7 year old boy. At the age of seven you are aware of what is wrong and what is right, but if you can get away with something, then you might as well do it. Moore had created the stories of how Coyote came to be and everytime I read them, I found myself laughing very hard. One of the stories has to do with the Coyote changing himself to look like a girl by taking off his penis and handing it to a beaver and when the Coyote would have them where he wanted he would..You have to read the book for the rest.This book is the journey of Sam Hunter, a Journey in which one must forget who one is in order to find out who one will become. One of Moore's very best.

I've enjoyed everything I've read by Christopher Moore, and though I liked "Coyote Blue" there are some serious gaps in the plot. As usual there is a lots of zaniness and a few laugh out loud parts. Also Moore again does a great job with his characterization. Moore can write characters that you will remember for a long time. In total the storyline is what knocks it down a few notches from Moore's other works.
"Coyote Blue" is return to your roots story about Sam Hunter. Sam a Crow Indian has to leave is reservation after accidentally killing a police officer. Sam moves to California where he becomes an insurance salesman. His new life has everything a nice car, a fancy house and lots of money. What Sam does not have is his heritage, something that he has been trying to hide. He meets Calliope Kincaid and wish for her. That is when Old Man Coyote a shape shifting Indian god shows up. He slowly starts to ruin Sam's new life. Sam tries to rid himself of Coyote, but when Calliope's old boyfriend kidnaps Calliope's son Grubb, Coyote and Sam must team together for a quest that leads them to Las Vegas and then Wyoming and Sam's reservation.
Three stars may seem a bit low, but this novel takes to many leaps of fate even for Moore. The novel storyline has just a few too many holes in it, also uncharacteristic too Moore. I do recommended this novel however and you do need to look past the novels flaws and enjoy another trip in Moore's mind. This is still good but not his best.

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for years and someone mentioned that she's a Christopher Moore fan ~~ and I thought, well, why not give him a try? I was hooked from the first page, first paragraph really. This book actually made me laugh out loud in places ~~ which is really fun!

Sam Hunter is hiding behind his salesman's mask ~~ the truth is, he was on the run since he was a teenager for killing a policeman on the Crow reservation. His Uncle Pokey was the closest thing to a father for Sams Who Hunts Alone and of course, the Trickster, Coyote plays a big part in this book. Sam is doing fine ~~ has a sucessful business and suddenly, everything goes awry. He soon finds himself falling in love with a beautiful woman who has a son named Grubb, and finds himself on the run back to the Crow Reservation.

This is a fun book ~~ hilarious with Moore's outlook on life, people and love. It is a bit raunchy in places but it's pure humor. Since I've read this one, I am now hooked on reading more of his other books in hopes they are just as fun as this one is. He gives satire a whole new meaning.

8-25-06

A Native American man leaves his tribe and assimilates with white society. He is like a changeling, able to adapt himself to whatever is most convenient for the time. But early in the book, he realizes that someone (or something) is out to get him. What follows is his journey with a shapeshifter that takes him back to his roots and teaches him who he really is.

This is my favorite Moore so far. It was a quick read with some neat ideas. This isn't really my type of book (my brother loves Moore and keeps loaning his books to me). I tend to find Moore a little too campy and obvious, but this had a nice story and made me giggle. Good for a quick summer read.

Crow Indian, Samson Hunts Alone kills a law officer when he's 15 and to avoid the trouble, he takes of and re-invents himself as Samuel Hunter. He passes himself of as an immigrant worker and through a twist of fate becomes a successful California insurance salesman. Then things begin to go arwy when an Indian begins showing up and causing all sorts of problems for Sam. This is none other than ancient Indian god Coyote who is on his own mission which involves Sam. The standard crazy characters of Moore arise and it begins with Calliope, super hippy and her child Grubb. Troubles at home and work with Aaron Aaron and Spagnola push Sam to confusion. Hectic pacing involves trouble in Vegas with Minty Fresh, a large black security guard at Camelot casino. It's a wild ride in Christopher Moore's comedic style which pokes fun at paranormal issues and California living. Most of his novels are good and this one stands with the others in a fun entertaining read. The Coyote god-stories are hilarious and Samson must find where he truly belongs. Worth reading a few times.

Gotta hand it to Chris Moore. This dude can puff on a peace pipe and come up with a psychodelic tale zany enough to corral a herd of pink elephants. From Native American shamans to insurance salesmen, from displaced free spirits to Buddhist car mechanics, Moore has an uncanny ability to pluck some really bizarre themes and seamlessly weave them into a humorous and entertaining story. His wacky novel COYOTE BLUE, the story of a bewildered Crow renegade who unwittingly goes on a journey of self-discovery, is an interesting blend of enlightenment and mayhem--kind of like Zen meeting Barney Fife.

Slick insurance guru Sam Hunter--known in his childhood as Samson Hunts Alone before he fled Montana's Crow reservation--has no life. Zip. Nada. And Sam loves the fact he has no meaning or purpose to his existence. . .or so he thinks. But Native American god Coyote, a most troublesome and pesky trickster, has grand plans for Sam. Once Coyote shoves his way into Sam's life, things start happening in rapid succession, as the Indian god's mercurial appearances cause Sam to lose his job, his condo, and fall head over heels in love with a laid-back chick sporting lots of personal baggage. Sam, with Coyote at his side, embarks on a journey that takes him to Las Vegas, to the Dakotas, then back to his roots in Montana--a journey where Sam discovers his purpose in life, and Coyote's ultimate plan for a lasting legacy. Oh, and along the way, the two protagonists encounter a fascinating collection of very colorful characters.

Moore's writing style is easy on the eye and rolls effortlessly, page after page; although some of his humor struck me as a tad corny I still appreciated it because it's so off the wall I felt like going outside and picking mushrooms. COYOTE BLUE was my first foray into Moore's work, and I look forward to revisiting this writer again.

--D. Mikels, Author, WALK-ON

For whatever reason, Coyote Blue didn't start off well for me. I don't mean to imply I didn't like the book initially - not at all. It was enjoyable as all of Moore's books are. But it wasn't quite as spot on as his others tend to be. I read it, enjoyed it, and that was that. Halfway through, however, it picked up and turned into an excellent book. That's the point where it turned from a good book to a classic Moore work of...ugliness.

I'm not sure Christopher Moore writes books I will ever consider 5 star. This is a personal assessment I've declared before. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Lust Lizard. But his slapstick nature will never be in league with some of the other writers I thoroughly enjoy (Robbins, Vonnegut, Rushdie, Carroll). Having said that, I very much like his work. He is the perfect easy reading author when you don't want to read something which makes you dumber than when you started the book. I don't even really know what that means but it seems to fit here.

Anyway, Coyote Blue is, as claimed on the back cover, "a quirky, irreverent novel of love, myth, metaphysics, outlaw biking, angst, and outrageous redemption." Those are some pretty grandiose words, yet I have to say they're fairly accurate. When I read that description, I chalked it up to an overzealous copy editor trying to sell books. Lo and behold, it's more accurate than I initially gave it credit for. Go figure.

Unlike some of Moore's other books, this does not take place in the Pacific Northwest. Set in California (for the most part) we follow an adventure of an (ex?) American Indian in the "modern" world, living a life he has created for himself after leaving the reservation. As often happens in Moore's stories, the structure of the main character's life rapidly turns to dust as the pages turn. Sam (the main character) quickly finds himself embroiled in the back cover description found above, the one which mentions myth and love and whatnot. It's quite entertaining.

I don't think I can come up with many complaints about the book. Usually, I try to offer good and bad viewpoints of anything I read. With Blue, there's really nothing bad to report. As I mentioned, Moore's overall lack of depth tends to keep him out of the ballpark of the truly brilliant writers. But he still does a damn good job with the books he writes, which includes this one.

Highly recommended, as with all his works.

Lemme see, if you haven't caught the Christopher Moore bug, how can I convey what these books are like to you? Let's start by saying that Christopher Moore is the funniest writer out on the North American continent (I might have to cede Europe to Terry Pratchett). His plots remind me of Carl Hiaassen: typically they fall in the "regular guy caught up in a chaotic comedic fiasco not of his own divising" genre. Like Hiaassen, his loopy minor characters are half the fun - there's never a dull moment in a Moore book.

In "Coyote Blue," for example, an insurance agent with a shadowy past (he is a Crow Indian who grew up on the rez and left there as a fugitive) comes face-to-face with his past in the form of Coyote, the randy trickster character of Native legends, who shows up in the novel (variously)as a sometimes-visible Native dude, a sometimes wolf, and anything else he might become to cause the hero Samson Hunts Alone as much trouble as possible. In a matter of minutes, Samson loses his job when Coyote loves up a potential client, his condo when Coyote (in his wolf form) nibbles on a neighbor's pet, etc.

Also typical of Moore, Sam eventually comes to realize the error of his ways and abandons his pretenses, returning to his more modest roots. In the meantime, the chapters roll on like a series of riots. Throw in lots of comic and amusingly raunchy sexual encounters and you have classic Moore.

I don't think this is his best work - I'd save that praise for "Lamb," the funniest novel in human history. But if you develop a taste for Moore, you're going to want to read this one too.

Fans of Christopher Moore know that it is best to expect the outrageous when reading one of his novels. "Coyote Blue" follows that standard. While this may not be my favorite selection from his novels, it certainly hits the mark.

Sam Hunter, or Samson Hunts Alone, was forced to leave the reservation after believing that he accidently killed somebody. Journeying through a wide spectrum of stereotypes, Sam lands comfortably in his career as an insurance salesman. But the day Calliope Kincaid catches his eye, something mysterious begins rearranging Sam's world. Coyote, a mythical trickster and storyteller, enters the life of Sam as predicted. Initially, he seems to be causing more chaos than helping Sam. But as the wild tale evolves, that begins to change. Between a monsterous bodyguard with a name better suited for oral hygiene, a mischievous shape-shifter, and plenty of chemical dependency, there are plenty of laughs in these 300 pages.

Moore's wit creates some moments that will have readers holding their stomachs with side splitting laughter as times. Few writers are as skilled at turning a humorous string of words as Moore. I only wish there were more writers like Moore available in today's marketplace.