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Simple Tricks and Nonsense
Imagine a scifi world where disco dancing is a form of prayer, spacesuits are required burqa-type clothing for both sexes, and the Star Wars movies are a sought-after Holy Grail.
This is the Adolfist religion. In its humble beginnings, though, naïve young messiah Adolf H. Canon doesn’t want any of these things. He is a peace-loving son of God or Dog who hopes to spread the word of peace throughout the galaxy.
But when no one listens to his words of peace, Adolf starts approving of war as a means to an end. He just doesn't know how far his followers will go to achieve that end.
This scathing religious satire spares no faith from its scorn, and casts God himself as the ultimate unreliable narrator.
This is the Adolfist religion. In its humble beginnings, though, naïve young messiah Adolf H. Canon doesn’t want any of these things. He is a peace-loving son of God or Dog who hopes to spread the word of peace throughout the galaxy.
But when no one listens to his words of peace, Adolf starts approving of war as a means to an end. He just doesn't know how far his followers will go to achieve that end.
This scathing religious satire spares no faith from its scorn, and casts God himself as the ultimate unreliable narrator.
- GenresSatire
402 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 2016
4 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Sameer Ketkar
10Ìýbooks30ÌýfollowersSameer Ketkar is an author of all genres, from drama, to historical fiction, to thriller, to romantic comedy, to scifi, to satire, to children's, and everything in between. Mr. Ketkar started off as a screenwriter, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in screenwriting from the University of Southern California. He has written one feature film, the thriller "Backwaters," and has written and directed a handful of short films and music videos. Since 2011 he has been publishing novels.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 18, 2018
Simple Tricks and Nonsense
by Sameer Ketkar
A clever, interesting and unusual sci-fi story.
Especially recommended for open-minded individuals looking for something entirely different.
Super stuff - loved it throughout.
by Sameer Ketkar
A clever, interesting and unusual sci-fi story.
Especially recommended for open-minded individuals looking for something entirely different.
Super stuff - loved it throughout.
February 17, 2017
This is a fun, quick read that reminded me a bit of Good Omens. It follows a religious figure in two different time periods as he tries to do the right thing and has mixed luck. The narrative is broken up a little with frequently funny parables. There are many giggles and a few guffaws as the story satirizes religion and culture. The ending wrapped up a little too quickly but overall this was a very fun read.
November 6, 2017
This is the first of Sameer's books that I've read and as with any new-to-me author, I was skeptical. What a surprise! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and had to force myself to stop reading and go to bed at 1 am every night. The writing style is fun, irreverent and effective. What I enjoyed the most was the very accurate portrayal of what so often goes wrong in religious movements. Sameer is careful not to point his satirical finger at any one actual religion (even though his basic premise involves a son of God trying to guide humanity.)
Simple Tricks and Nonsense really puts "spirituality" into a grand perspective. It's all about God wanting someone to talk to. But despite his best efforts, He can't seem to get any humans into heaven. Humans, it seems, are doomed to be humans, with all of the craziness and suffering that they create and spread. I think Sameer/God is saying, "Don't worry about it too much. It doesn't last long."
Maybe this book could be the basis for a new religion. Anyone ready to go to war for it?
Simple Tricks and Nonsense really puts "spirituality" into a grand perspective. It's all about God wanting someone to talk to. But despite his best efforts, He can't seem to get any humans into heaven. Humans, it seems, are doomed to be humans, with all of the craziness and suffering that they create and spread. I think Sameer/God is saying, "Don't worry about it too much. It doesn't last long."
Maybe this book could be the basis for a new religion. Anyone ready to go to war for it?
June 16, 2018
Simple Tricks and Nonsense by Sameer Ketkar is satirical and righteously so. Adolf H. Canon, newest messiah, proclaims disco dancing as prayer. And that's only the beginning.
The Adolfist religion proclaims young messiah Adolf H. Canon its new superstar. although Canon's not sure if he's a son of God or of Dog. Finding that the galaxy is deaf to his pleas for peace, Adolf, like many would-be saviors before him, makes war a means to his end.
With God as its unreliable narrator, this book is one you'll love or hate. I'm hoping for an audio edition version with Dog narrating . . . .
The Adolfist religion proclaims young messiah Adolf H. Canon its new superstar. although Canon's not sure if he's a son of God or of Dog. Finding that the galaxy is deaf to his pleas for peace, Adolf, like many would-be saviors before him, makes war a means to his end.
With God as its unreliable narrator, this book is one you'll love or hate. I'm hoping for an audio edition version with Dog narrating . . . .
November 6, 2017
Writing satire is not easy, but Sameer Ketkar is a master. This book reminded me of what I like best about Douglas Adams. There is what you see happening on the page and what is going on underneath. This is not a book to skim - slow down and have your wits about you. It will be worth it. The writing and emotion is also excellent - I was caught up in many of the scenes by the sheer beauty of description. Definitely recommended.
June 17, 2018
Loved this wonderfully sharp and engaging satirical science fiction that left me with the taste for more.
July 11, 2017
Painful (but future potential)
I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately it has too many issues to bother slogging through to the end. Foremost, it's lacking professional editing. Even an English major would have been better than nothing.
Glaring problems ( with only 5% read):
The writing is full of sentences beginning with AND.
Pointless run-on sentences that commas couldn't fix.
Grammatical flourishes used incorrectly (meaning he used fancy words that were awkwardly placed, and/or used incorrectly - grammatically or by definition).
It felt forced. The writing didn't flow very well and took longer than necessary.
Using a writer's manual for guidance (including to know when to use numbers and when to spell them... Writing out seventy-five percent instead of 75%
Basically, it reminded me of a riff on Christopher Moore's Biff. (If written during a late night rush for a creative writing class).
I can't comment on the plot, although the idea has been done before...even the narrator's name is not new. I'd try reading again after a major edit, but in it's current state it's a painfully rough first draft. Sorry, I've never written such a harsh or lengthy review (which I'll probably edit when I'm more awake, but I wanted to write before I forgot and I hope the critique is useful for the author. The problems are ones I've seen repeatedly in new authors (some never improve, others I re-read their newer works yearly.)
I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately it has too many issues to bother slogging through to the end. Foremost, it's lacking professional editing. Even an English major would have been better than nothing.
Glaring problems ( with only 5% read):
The writing is full of sentences beginning with AND.
Pointless run-on sentences that commas couldn't fix.
Grammatical flourishes used incorrectly (meaning he used fancy words that were awkwardly placed, and/or used incorrectly - grammatically or by definition).
It felt forced. The writing didn't flow very well and took longer than necessary.
Using a writer's manual for guidance (including to know when to use numbers and when to spell them... Writing out seventy-five percent instead of 75%
Basically, it reminded me of a riff on Christopher Moore's Biff. (If written during a late night rush for a creative writing class).
I can't comment on the plot, although the idea has been done before...even the narrator's name is not new. I'd try reading again after a major edit, but in it's current state it's a painfully rough first draft. Sorry, I've never written such a harsh or lengthy review (which I'll probably edit when I'm more awake, but I wanted to write before I forgot and I hope the critique is useful for the author. The problems are ones I've seen repeatedly in new authors (some never improve, others I re-read their newer works yearly.)
February 21, 2017
Where to begin with this one. Simple Tricks and nonsense is totally mental. And I mean that in a goodway. I have never really read anything like this. There are shades of classic satires like Catch 22, but what makes it kind of unique is the science fiction aspect of it. The idea of spacesuits as burqas is pretty hilarious, because when you think about it they both started off as something useful. Burqas were a version of the desert clothing that people would wear to protect themselves from sand and the sun. But then they took on this entirely different religious connotation. The spacesuits in Sinple Tricks are similar. It's a fun idea.
The story focuses on the messiah, Adolf H. Canon - I'm almost surprised the author didn't name him Adolf F*cking Canon. Adolf is a goodhearted boy who was put in a metaphorical "basket on a river" when he was a child. He grows up not knowing he is adopted, because he's actually the son of God or Dog. Yes, that's what God is called in this story, "God or Dog." God or Dog is also the narrator of the story, and is neurotic and ridiculous, but he just wants to have a good time and make some friends.
This book will certainly offend some people. But some people will love it, too. The humor feels very British, even though the author seems to be American.
The story focuses on the messiah, Adolf H. Canon - I'm almost surprised the author didn't name him Adolf F*cking Canon. Adolf is a goodhearted boy who was put in a metaphorical "basket on a river" when he was a child. He grows up not knowing he is adopted, because he's actually the son of God or Dog. Yes, that's what God is called in this story, "God or Dog." God or Dog is also the narrator of the story, and is neurotic and ridiculous, but he just wants to have a good time and make some friends.
This book will certainly offend some people. But some people will love it, too. The humor feels very British, even though the author seems to be American.
February 17, 2017
Very funny, well worth the read, will be hoping for more books from this author in future.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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