Ever seen those stereotypical middle-aged Eastern European women on TV? The ones with the red scarves enveloping everything but the equally red tips of their noses? The ones hidden somewhere beneath a flurry of paisley and layering and scowls? The ones who can probably slug back a bottle of vodka without even the need for some zakuski'to chase it back?
Well, Gobija Zaksauskas, butt-kicking exchange student-turned-assassin heroine of Joe Shreibers Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick'doesnt quite fit the mould. Except, perhaps, the vodka thing. Think Kiki Strike meets Uma Thurmans character in Kill Bill'with a bit of extra attitude and a Lithuanian accent thrown in, and youre on the right track.
Of course, while it would help to have a bit of forewarning that youre taking an undercover assassin to your senior prom, poor Perry Stormaire, wannabe musician and University of Columbia waitlistee, is completely clueless. For him, exchange student Gobi is all about potato dumplings, woollen hosiery and Coke bottle lenses so thick you start a fire with them: definitely pity date status. So when she suddenly whips off the disguise (along with most of her clothing), and sets off on a killing spree, Perrys not quite sure what to do.
Except do everything in his power not to get blood on Daddys brand new Jaguar.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick'is a gutsy (literally) night-time romp through New York City thats full of greasy mafiosos being murdered in grisly ways, objectionable driving and parking practices, tomato sauce-esque blood splatters and plenty of snark, and from the minute that Gobi gets her assassin on its go-go-go.
Written in epistolary format as a series of interlinked college application essays, the book traces Perrys first impressions of Gobi through to his eventual partner-in-crime status, exploring, amidst all the killing, maiming, and Jaguar-trashing, Perrys growth from cowed Daddys boy into someone willing to take a stand for what he believes innot to mention that he even gets to play guitar on stage during a shoot-out. Thats livin the dream, right there. (Admittedly, he never does stand up to Gobi, but, really, whod dare?) Its outrageously, unashamedly riotous and hilariously twee all at once: its sort of like swallowing an entire packet of Whiz Fizz all in one go.
What makes this book work is that its utterly ridiculous and utterly self-aware, and save for one slightly-too-serious moment where Gobi reveals the motivation behind her revenge spree, it gives not a whit for sense, realism, or the actual likelihood of being able to safely jump out of a window and into a waiting helicopter. Itll take about an hour and a half out of your lifeI read it walking to and from workand its worth it. When youre done, youll wish you were a little more creative when applying to university.
Snippet:
The female officer who approached the car didnt look as if she was in a hurry.
Is there a problem, sir?
I jerked my head down at the plastic restraints. Im tied to the wheel here.
Yes, sir. I can see that.
The woman who did it is up in that office building. She has a gun. Shes trying to kill somebody. Shes an assassin. Also, shes Lithuanian.
Rating: (excellent)
With thanks to Hardie Grant Egmont for the review copy
Support Read in a Single Sitting by purchasing'Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick from
Amazon | Book Depository UK | Book Depository USA | Booktopia | The Nile
Other books by Joe Shreiber:
The official trailer for Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick:
Oh, this looks like fun! I love when books like this dont take themselves too seriously.
Its super fun, Jami. Hilariously silly stuff. And I love the transformation from mare milk-drinking Chukchi to femme fatale: its like a Scooby-Doo tear-off-the-mask reveal.
This sounds like a great book Stephanie! I havent heard of this author before but Au Revoir looks like a ridiculously fun read!
It really is a good deal of fun. I did a quick Google for the author, and it looks as though his background is mostly in novelisations and franchise tie-insit looks as though hes done work in the Star Wars and Supernatural worlds, but that this is his brand debut. :)
Well, I ordered the book from the library and it looks like it is on its way to being in my hands. Im really excited for some super silly sleuthing. :D
Yay! Looking forward to hearing what you think of it, Jami. :)
Ok, that was one crazy book. I agree the whole motivation behind her killing was laid on a little thick, whats more I totally saw it coming.
But I have to ask, because you keep mentioning it, how do you walk to work and read! Ive tried that here in Chicago and end up running in to people. LOL
Haha, Im glad you enjoyed it, Jami. I think I would have preferred an Im assassin just because, okay? approach rather than a bent-on-retribution one, as the former fits in just fine with the books zaniness.
Okay, youve inspired me to write a (silly) post about my adventures in walking to work. Bear in mind that Melbournes not as densely populated as Chicago, and theres a lot of parkland between my house and the CBD! :)
I agree, just because would have been more in line with the story.
And sweet! Im looking forward to your walking while reading post. :D