Review of The Damned Busters by Matthew Hughes

31 Mar

	4.5 enthusiastic stars. I would unflinchingly recommend this book. Funny, philosophical, and entertaining, The Damned Busters had me laughing, thinking and marveling at how well Matthew Hughes can weave a story together to such a satisfying and appropriate end. Originally, I picked up this book on a whim to read a super-hero tale, but what I got was a story that dissects religious notions, satirizes all manner of human behavior, and plays off superhero tropes in a way that is highly satisfying. Chesney Anstruther is a mild-mannered and mildly autistic actuary that accidentally summons a demon, causes a strike in hell, and decides to use the results to become a superhero. This book continues to take great turns that will have you wondering what is going to happen next. When it does happen, you will be chuckling at how Chesney is “writing” his own story. This is the crux of the philosophical argument and one done so cleverly that I’m sure that whoever really gives it a chance will hold the secret of just how a classic this thing is. I, for one am glad to be in on the joke. Although the book’s humor may lag in a place or two, and the plot slows toward the middle, I pray that you will continue to the climactic and hilarious end. This thing should be a movie. However, it should only be so if a comic genius is enlisted to play Chesney/the Actionary, as his depiction of life through the eyes of someone on the spectrum is sweet, authentic and very, very funny. Heck, the more I think about it, the more I love this book, so, 5 stars, people! I can’t wait to read the sequels to this charming novel

4.5 enthusiastic stars. I would unflinchingly recommend this book. Funny, philosophical, and entertaining, The Damned Busters had me laughing, thinking and marveling at how well Matthew Hughes can weave a story together to such a satisfying and appropriate end. Originally, I picked up this book on a whim to read a super-hero tale, but what I got was a story that dissects religious notions, satirizes all manner of human behavior, and plays off superhero tropes in a way that is highly satisfying. Chesney Anstruther is a mild-mannered and mildly autistic actuary that accidentally summons a demon, causes a strike in hell, and decides to use the results to become a superhero. This book continues to take great turns that will have you wondering what is going to happen next. When it does happen, you will be chuckling at how Chesney is “writing” his own story. This is the crux of the philosophical argument and one done so cleverly that I’m sure that whoever really gives it a chance will hold the secret of just how a classic this thing is. I, for one am glad to be in on the joke. Although the book’s humor may lag in a place or two, and the plot slows toward the middle, I pray that you will continue to the climactic and hilarious end. This thing should be a movie. However, it should only be so if a comic genius is enlisted to play Chesney/the Actionary, as his depiction of life through the eyes of someone on the spectrum is sweet, authentic and very, very funny. Heck, the more I think about it, the more I love this book, so, 5 stars, people! I can’t wait to read the sequels to this charming novel