Book Review: The Management Style of the Supreme Beings by Tom Holt

“…do you believe in Santa Claus?”
Kevin paused for a moment before answering. “You mean, does he exist? Yes, he does.”
Jersey’s eyes opened wide, but he didn’t say anything.
“You sound awfully sure,” Lucy said. “That’s, um, unusual in a grown up.”
“Well, yes. Do you believe in the internal combustion engine?”
“What? I mean, well, yes. It’s not something you need to believe in. It’s just there.”
Kevin nodded. “They’re both equally miraculous or equally mundane, depending on whether you happen to know for sure.”

I wasn’t sure about this one at first… It started great, then slowed up a bit – which is what I’ve noticed about Tom Holt in the past. I struggle with him – he devises brilliant storylines that draw me right in but the build up takes time, and sometimes he loses me in the process. I’m SO glad I stuck with this one though – it was truly excellent!

The concept of a universe for sale to the highest bidder seems so sadly, hilariously, tragically possible right now… The world is an increasingly uncertain place, it seems, and things like faith and responsibility do seem to be rather up for grabs. Under Holt’s manipulation, those worries are transformed into a brilliantly cynical, thoroughly entertaining, deftly manipulated, surprisingly thought-provoking tale about the price of certainty and the costs of belief. He is a very talented author – that was no surprise. He is facile with language, playing with words and phrases and concepts that are commonplace and turning them on their heads to convey his particular brand of theology (and ideology) in a manner that feels wholly original and refreshing.

“To Whom it May Conserve. They have predictive text software in Hell; they also have the people who designed it.”

By taking issues like our contemporary obsession with materiality and comfort, or the relentless search for certainty and cost-effectiveness, to logical – and absurd – conclusions, he points out how foolish such quests can be without making it feel like he is making fun of us (even though he probably is)… There’s brilliance in layering life lessons like this – and it makes for a devastatingly fun(ny) read too.

“That’s crazy,” Snib exploded. “That’s stupid.”
“Not stupid,” the Red Lord said. “Frivolous. There’s a difference. It’s a crucial one, and you’ll never understand it as long as you live.”

My review copy was provided by NetGalley.