Normally I read a book every couple of days. I've been slogging through "Moo" for weeks. I'm not sure whether it's exhaustion or lack of interest, but the fact is, I was bored and frustrated.
But then I found "Big Fish" by Thomas Perry. I'd known this novel existed for years, but have never been able to find a copy. I loved the author's "Metzger's Dog" and "The Butcher's Boy" and was intrigued. I opened to the first page, just to get an idea of the style, and the next thing I knew three hours had passed and I was done.
"Big Fish" is the story of two charming, relatively small-time gunrunners who become embroiled in a plot to control the world. I won't tell you how or why, because that's part of the fun, but I will tell you that along the way they collect a Hollywood agent and teach him to be a commando, and a Hollywood director and teach him to be a human being.
The writing is crisp and clean, with no words wasted on unnecessary exposition or description. Perry, in fact, is reminiscent of Gregory McDonald at his most terse and entertaining, but can be more goofy and relaxed.
This book was just what I needed to get the taste of the week and Jane Smiley out of my mouth. It's out of print, which is disappointing, but I bet you can find it used or at a library. And, who knows, as Perry's recent books become more mainstream, "Big Fish" just might be republished.