Today I’m reviewing Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie.

Here’s the blurb

Where the art of improvisation meets the art of literature.

“Colin Mochrie is a comedic and creative force to be reckoned with. Therefore, this book is a literary force to be reckoned with. If you are too lazy for reckoning, just read this book and everything will work out nicely.” ―Brad Sherwood

“Colin Mochrie is devastatingly handsome, perilously smart, and smells like warm maple syrup. Step inside his hilarious and complex mind, and abandon all hope.” ―Aisha Tyler

Based on the improv game First Line, Last Line, Colin Mochrie of Whose Line is it Anyway? fame, puts a unique spin on works of classic literature. Taking the first line and last line from classic books and poems, Colin recasts these familiar stories in his own trademark offbeat style:

• A verbose coyote becomes the star of A TALE OF TWO CRITTERS
• Ishmael is a struggling actor hunting for a good hair day in MOBY
• A rainy day at home becomes a zombie-killing adventure in THE CAT AND MY DAD
• Mighty Casey strikes out again in CASEY AT THE BAR

These stories, and many more, prove that no literary masterpiece is too big, or too small, for the improvisational comedy treatment.

Review

So this is my second time listening to the audio version of Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie.

Mochrie just so happens to be one of my favourite comedians out there, falling in love with his humour as a youngin watching late night tv, catching Whose Line Is It Anyway. Not to make anyone feel old but that was back in the day when we only had 4 tv channels to pick from ha ha.

I remember listening to Not Quite the Classics when it first came out but I thought it was high time I do the book justice, listen again, and get a review up.

Firstly why audio? Well that’s easy.. The pull for me was Mochrie himself, his tone is perfect for storytelling so it was a no brainer for me that audio was the way forward!

Not Quite the Classics is a collection of tales, reimaging’s of well known classics such as Frankenstein, A Study in Scarlet and Moby Dick to name but a few.

What really stands out is Mochrie’s talent, that signature humour being funnelled into storytelling. The style is sometimes light hearted and fun, other times darker but each unmistakably Mochrie’s wit and charm.

To highlight just a few standout tales, A Tale of Two Critters.. Wowza..you’ll never think of Wile E. Coyote the same as we explore obsession to the nth degree. 

Moby.. Oh I mean as a man the wrong side of 40 and showing it, this tale based around Moby Dick following a struggling actor dealing with baldness hit pretty hard, it’s so damn clever how he makes such a surreal tale that has depth and meaning.

Frankenstein.. Wow.. this twist! I don’t want to spoil it but what would we all do if we had the chance to keep someone alive? And would it really be a good thing? This for me was a standout as not only moving but a very smart plot that engages the reader.

Pace wise this book was perfect for me, some stories are longer than others but never drawn out. It was perfect for my daily commute to work and back!

Overall Mochrie’s imagination shines off the pages and being to hear each inflection as the author wanted was just perfect.

The easiest of 5*

To find out more head to Goodreads! while the audio version doesn’t seem to still be on audible the published book would still be worth buying in my opinion.