One Big Damn Puzzler

My first experience with John Harding. One Big Damn Puzzler was a great read. This book is really 3 different stories driven into 1 gripping finale. Harding does a good job of examining the Wests materialistc culture interspered with a desire to help those who dont ask to be helped. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and did not mind the diversions of other topics Harding poses to the reader. A good light-hearted read that has some touching and emotional moments.

This book did not need to be brought into this world. The writer invents an imaginary Pacific Island full of helpless locals who need a white savior from the United States to rescue them from their primitive ways. Extremely ham-fisted examples of colonialism-gone-awry are laced throughout the story to fill out hundreds of extra pages, but these are a godsend compared to the completely gross and unnecessary love stories (and dont get me started on the completely bonkers 9/11 sub-sub-plot). If zero stars were an option, Id go with that.

Another great read -- funny throughout.

Had to purchase this for a class and I really enjoyed reading it. I kept this one for my book shelf.

I loved this damn book. It is unusual and creative in so many ways-- a wonderful piece of art. There is depth to the characters that was very satisfying. This book is interesting, entertaining and delightful. The topics explore OCD, friendships, and culture. I enjoyed this book tremendously-- and want to read Mr.Hardings other two books.

The attempt at conveying pidgin English in this novel falls pitifully short and was utltimately so irritating it made the book unreadable. I am unconvinced that the author made any significant effort at researching his subject matter which is key to turning out worthwhile literature. Ill be donating my copy to our local thrift store, with a warning in the cover that its probably not worth the purchase price no matter how low they mark it.

We all imagine a being on a tropical island, in the sun, the roaring ocean, with innocent and beautiful natives giving us everything we need. John Harding gives this to us with plenty of add-ons: Shakespeare, OCD, innocence and its loss, and the Western materialistic mentality. An American lawyer comes to this untouched island, meets the natives, and tries to obtain compensation for them from injuries as the result of left over land mines. The book turns into an allegory of American values running amok and attempts to give a world vision on todays events. Harding uses humor, literary license, and great imagination to accomplish this task. I thank him for great and thoughtful entertainment.