Saturday, December 13, 2008

Road Kill - by Kinky Friedman

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WARNING: This book is not for everybody.

But, if you can relax and get past the language and sexual references, the book is downright hilarious. I think Kinky Friedman is probably an acquired taste, and I'll admit that after reading a few pages, I almost closed the book and put it in the pile to be taken back to the library. I'm still glad I didn't pay good money to read it (sorry, Kinkster). That said, I'm planning to read his other books, so go figure.

The New York Times calls Kinky "the world's funniest, bawdiest, and most politically incorrect country music singer turned mystery writer".

You might have heard his name in the news when he ran for Governor of Texas - one of his slogans was "Let's get Kinky", or maybe you have heard him sing with the band that he and his brother formed, called "The Texas Jewboys'. Or maybe not. At any rate, Kinky has been around for a long time, mostly in Texas, and infrequently makes the national news with his pithy comments.

The book is fiction, but, except for the silliness, you might begin to wonder if there could be some truth mixed in. The main characters are Willie Nelson and the Kinkster, himself. Kinky is a private detective, unlicensed, and living in New Yawk City when he gets a call from his old friend, Willie Nelson. Seems Willie has a little problem. His tour bus, the Honeysuckle Rose hit and killed an Indian a while back, and Willie is convinced that he has been cursed and will die.

Willie asks Kinky to come and travel with him for a while, and try to find out who put the curse on him. Hilarity ensues.

Kinky's book titles tell you what you need to know about his sense of humor: "The Love Song of J. Edgar Hoover", "God Bless John Wayne", "Armadillos and Old Lace", "Elvis, Jesus & Coca Cola", among others.

Ulikely as it seems, I like him. Try him. You might like him, too.

13 comments:

Kell said...

You're right, it does seem unlikely that you'd enjoy it. Who knew!?! But then you have a quirky sense of humor.

Anonymous said...

Haven't read the book but met Kinky at Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas. He was touting his run for the Presidency and was with Willie at an autograph session for one of Willie's new releases. Your description of the book sounds a whole lot like Kinky.

patsy said...

i have seen kinky on TV and he makes me laugh.

Mari Meehan said...

I love Kinky but then having lived in Texas for a time one tends to develop a fondness for their more colorful characters!

Linda said...

I'm a native Texan. Had I been living in Texas I would have voted for him for Governor of the great Bush Republican, Tom Delay Republican state of Texas. What a hoot that would have been. Rick Perry watch out Kinky and the posse just left.

Love your book review.

lucylocket said...

Having read all of Kinky's mysteries, I offer a bit of advice.
Don't read them one after another;
the humor becomes a little wearing.
Space them out and enjoy!

Sister--Helen said...

I doubt if I would like that book....I did read Barbara Walter's book and enjoyed it a lot...I also read the one written on Katie Curic and then one written by the Marsh Brady girl...the McCormic girl..neither one of them was worth burning...

Betty said...

kell: Quirky? Moi?

TinCanMan: I think the first time I heard about him was through a Molly Ivins column, or one of her interviews.

Patsy: He makes me laugh, too.

DogwalkMusings: Well, you know how we are about our characters, here in the south, we invite them to our parties and trot out our crazy aunts for entertainment.

Linda: I was actually kind of hoping he'd beat Governor Goodhair.

lucylocket: That's good advice. I'll put some distance between books.

the 4th sister: I don't think you'd like it, either. I read "Audition", too but I don't much care for Katie and Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! doesn't interest me either.

Jay said...

Well there was at least ONE person out there who thought you'd like the Kinkster. Who was that person, you ask? Well, it was probably your son, who got the book for you at the library and told you to try it. ;-)

Betty said...

Jay: Yes you did. Credit where credit is due.

Cazzie!!! said...

Right, if it is hillarious then I am going to have to borrow this one!!

Chancy said...

I have seen Kinky on TV and he is quite a character. I will look for his books at the library.

Betty said...

cazzie and chancy: Just remember what I said about the language and sexual references,otherwise, read and enjoy!