# Recommend a fun novel with complex characters **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 14, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004 "2016-11-14T21:39:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/1 "2016-11-14T21:39:09Z")
It’s my turn to pick the next bookclub read and the November blahs are on so I’d prefer something fun to read. Bookclub debate/discussion is far more interesting if the characters are complex so that’s a priority as well. So, whachya got? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/2 "2016-11-14T22:07:45Z")
What requirements do y’all have? Must it be a current book? Available as an ebook? A stand-alone novel? ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/3 "2016-11-14T22:25:26Z")
[The Nix.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A4B1PEE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) Super-fun read. Might be kind of long for a book club, though. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/4 "2016-11-14T22:32:38Z")
[Sacre Bleu](https://www.amazon.com/Sacre-Bleu-Comedy-Christopher-Moore/dp/006177975X) by Christopher Moore. An (ultimately) a science fiction novel about the French Impressionists. Like all of his work, it’s wickedly funny with great characters. Anything else by himself fit, too. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/5 "2016-11-15T05:50:43Z")
Absent any criteria other than those listed in the OP, allow me to recommend a book written by a British banker set in Tokyo about a Japanese private detective, a deadly prostitute, a cult and yakuza with a hot new designer drug: [Buddha Kiss](https://www.amazon.com/Buddha-Kiss-Peter-Tasker/dp/0385485522/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479161071&sr=1-1&keywords=buddha+kiss) by Peter Tasker. It’s actually the 2nd Kazoo Mori book, but reading the 1st is in no way necessary for understanding this story; this was the first of Mr. Tasker’s books I ever read and remains my favorite. Copies are available on Amazon for as little as $.01 + shipping. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/6 "2016-11-15T21:20:27Z")
Thanks guys, I’ll look into them. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/7 "2016-11-15T21:42:56Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > It’s actually the 2nd Kazoo Mori book Let’s go to the quarry and throw stuff down there! :smack: Damn you, autocorrect! Kazuo, not Kazoo. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/8 "2016-11-16T04:37:38Z")
\*\*\*Gone South \*\*\*by Robert R McCammon. \*\*\*Lucky You \*\*\*by Carl Hiaasen. _ **Going after Cacciato** _ by Tim O’Brien. _ **The Virtues of Hell** _ by Pierre Boulle. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/9 "2016-11-16T05:08:06Z")
[Superfolks by Robert Mayer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfolks) satirized the whole superhero genre. Really absurd in places, and actually touching in others. I haven’t read it in a long time, but I chuckle just thinking about the scene in which the protagonist flies into a telephone pole, and a sex scene with Peter Pan of all people. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/10 "2016-11-16T05:28:32Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > [Superfolks by Robert Mayer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfolks) satirized the whole superhero genre. Really absurd in places, and actually touching in others. I haven’t read it in a long time, but I chuckle just thinking about the scene in which the protagonist flies into a telephone pole, and a sex scene with Peter Pan of all people. I have to admit I wasn’t impressed by _Superfolks_. I feel _Soon I Will be Invincible_ by Austin Grossman does a much better job with the same territory. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/11 "2016-11-16T05:34:53Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I have to admit I wasn’t impressed by _Superfolks_. I feel _Soon I Will be Invincible_ by Austin Grossman does a much better job with the same territory. …and I bought _Soon I will Be Invincible_ based on multiple recommendations here on the Dope and found it to be mostly terrible. ETA: My point is that maybe books about superhero are, by their nature, not gonna involve complex characters. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/12 "2016-11-16T06:36:10Z")
_The Doomsday Book_ by Connie Willis. Sad, but so good. ---
**Author:** ![Faceplantafloor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Faceplantafloor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faceplantafloor)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/13 "2016-11-16T07:19:00Z")
I would recommend the book _The Castle_ by Franz Kafka. His way of writing adds incredible personality to his characters that is both realistic and surreal. Every character is distinct. There is nothing else I’ve encountered quite like him. Sadly it’s translated over from German so there is some nuance lost in translation, but I would still recommend it very highly. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/14 "2016-11-16T14:31:16Z")
> [@Faceplantafloor](#): > > I would recommend the book _The Castle_ by Franz Kafka. His way of writing adds incredible personality to his characters that is both realistic and surreal. Every character is distinct. There is nothing else I’ve encountered quite like him. Sadly it’s translated over from German so there is some nuance lost in translation, but I would still recommend it very highly. As per the OP, is it fun? ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/15 "2016-11-16T17:33:14Z")
Anything by Christopher Moore. He cracks me up and his characters are excellent. Try “The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove” (note: sex figures in most of his books, so may or may not be suitable for your intended audience). Anything by Terry Pratchett–more obviously fantasy than Moore\*, no sex visible, hilarious beyond describing. - Moore: e.g. prehistoric monster with mental powers invades sleepy California coastal town. Pratchett: Wizzards and dwarfs, etc., interact on a flat world on the back of 4 elephants carried through space on the back of a giant space turtle–the Astrochelonian, species Chelys galactica–named Great A’Tuin. The characters are EXCELLENT and the fun never ends. Also, moving moments abound. Re: Pratchett–If you would like some strong female characters, try Carpe Jugulum (vampyres) or Witches Abroad (fairytales deconstructed). Others of interest might be: Small Gods (religious fanaticism skewered), Hogfather (the holidays lampooned), Soul Music (the spirit of Rock & Roll…with dwarves, death and his granddaughter, road stories, continual band-name puns–younger folk won’t get 'em), The Truth (news reporting and an attempted royal Coup d’état), Feet of Clay (police procedural with werewolves and golems). ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/16 "2016-11-18T01:14:57Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > [The Nix.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A4B1PEE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) Super-fun read. Might be kind of long for a book club, though. I second this. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/17 "2016-11-18T02:20:08Z")
Jasper fforde has done a series of fast paced humorous novels. He’s best known for his Thursday Next series, starting with _The Eyre Affair_. Thursday is a an agent of the Chronoguard, who can enter books and change them. It’s set in a weird parallel world, with great characters (Miss Havisham is a hoot). I also loved his _Shades of Grey_ (no relation), set in a dystopia where your social standing depends on which colors you perceive. Thus, the lowest classes can only see grey and the higher classes can see more colors. It’s fast and funny and very weird (the manufacture of spoons is illegal) and the world building is amazing. Another good one is A. Lee Martinez, who also does humor and fantasy. _Monster_ is terrific (about a bounty hunter). Other great ones are _Divine Misfortune_ (where gods exist and you get to choose one), _Chasing the Moon_, _Helen and Troy’s Epic Road Trip_, and his first _Gil’s All-Fright Diner._ Often the fate of the Universe is at stake, but it’s more fun than frightening. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/18 "2016-11-18T02:45:15Z")
[The Anubis Gates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Anubis_Gates) by Tim Powers. A very smart, literary time travel tale with a Beatles song thrown in for good measure. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/19 "2016-11-18T02:47:59Z")
_Titus Groan_, by Mervyn Peake. > **[Titus Groan](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titus_Groan)** > > Titus Groan is a novel by Mervyn Peake, first published in 1946. It is the first novel in the Gormenghast series. > The book is set in the huge castle of Gormenghast, a vast landscape of crumbling towers and ivy-filled quadrangles that has for centuries been the hereditary residence of the Groan family and with them a legion of servants. The Groan family is headed by Lord Sepulchrave, the seventy-sixth Earl of Groan. He is a melancholy man who feels shackled by his duties as Earl, although he ne... ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-fun-novel-with-complex-characters/772004/20 "2016-11-18T03:18:36Z")
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