Review of Bad Form
Posted: 06 Oct 2023, 16:37
[Following is a volunteer review of "Bad Form" by Joe Taylor.]
Bad Form is a modern fantasy adventure by Joe Taylor dripping with metaphor. The book drips with metaphor—not Joe Taylor. Billy Wise enters a strange house whose very existence might just be symbolic. Run by a weird couple, who might not be what they seem, the house has some unusual rules which, in turn, aren’t really rules. But breaking them is something of Bad Form.
The narrative is filled with colorful detail, painting a full picture of what could be an otherwise hard-to-imagine setting, but we remain in the moment and take in the surroundings, even when moving at break-neck speed through very short chapters, each averaging 3-5 pages. A variety of characters abound, many bizarre and yet some will be familiar to the reader. Little room was spared on extras, for all roles add something to the plot. Understanding what those characters represent is key to achieving the full potential enjoyment from this story. For example, early on, we meet a philosophizing snake who at times has fangs, other times a toothy Jimmy Carter grin. Why? Simply because he chose that as his Bod Form.
And humor! Perhaps the only extraneous words-on-page relate to running gags and devious pranks. These are much appreciated and ultimately why you’ll read the book. But Joe Taylor understands that nothing is funny in a vacuum. Be prepared to run the gamut of emotion from glee to despair, lust to aggravation, and nostalgia to joy. Though it is nothing to lose your head over, this is merely a work of Bard Form.
In terms of sexual content, it really isn’t that sort of book. Certainly the protagonist’s attraction to his love interest is a driving motivation for his journey, thus he notices her desirable form, but sex scenes there aren’t. Similarly in terms of profanity. Some minor curses are uttered, showcasing frustration, but nothing extreme, lengthy, terribly vulgar, or admonishing of sensitive subjects. In the strictest sense, I’d rate both only 1 on a scale of 0-5, due only to some mention—a mere nod—but you would be safe reading this in a public school. No need to worry about Bed Form.
I must rate this book an overall 5 of 5 stars. It is fun, thought-provoking, easy-to-read, imaginative, unique, and fast-paced. One must keep in mind to not read this novel too literally, for it is all metaphor. Bad Form is formidable.
******
Bad Form
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Bad Form is a modern fantasy adventure by Joe Taylor dripping with metaphor. The book drips with metaphor—not Joe Taylor. Billy Wise enters a strange house whose very existence might just be symbolic. Run by a weird couple, who might not be what they seem, the house has some unusual rules which, in turn, aren’t really rules. But breaking them is something of Bad Form.
The narrative is filled with colorful detail, painting a full picture of what could be an otherwise hard-to-imagine setting, but we remain in the moment and take in the surroundings, even when moving at break-neck speed through very short chapters, each averaging 3-5 pages. A variety of characters abound, many bizarre and yet some will be familiar to the reader. Little room was spared on extras, for all roles add something to the plot. Understanding what those characters represent is key to achieving the full potential enjoyment from this story. For example, early on, we meet a philosophizing snake who at times has fangs, other times a toothy Jimmy Carter grin. Why? Simply because he chose that as his Bod Form.
And humor! Perhaps the only extraneous words-on-page relate to running gags and devious pranks. These are much appreciated and ultimately why you’ll read the book. But Joe Taylor understands that nothing is funny in a vacuum. Be prepared to run the gamut of emotion from glee to despair, lust to aggravation, and nostalgia to joy. Though it is nothing to lose your head over, this is merely a work of Bard Form.
In terms of sexual content, it really isn’t that sort of book. Certainly the protagonist’s attraction to his love interest is a driving motivation for his journey, thus he notices her desirable form, but sex scenes there aren’t. Similarly in terms of profanity. Some minor curses are uttered, showcasing frustration, but nothing extreme, lengthy, terribly vulgar, or admonishing of sensitive subjects. In the strictest sense, I’d rate both only 1 on a scale of 0-5, due only to some mention—a mere nod—but you would be safe reading this in a public school. No need to worry about Bed Form.
I must rate this book an overall 5 of 5 stars. It is fun, thought-provoking, easy-to-read, imaginative, unique, and fast-paced. One must keep in mind to not read this novel too literally, for it is all metaphor. Bad Form is formidable.
******
Bad Form
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon