Book Review: Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie

Where the art of improvisation meets the art of literature.
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.

Best Bits: I'm a huge fan of Whose Line is it Anyway? (so much so that my friends and I have definitely played their games during parties), so I already knew that I appreciated Mochrie's brand of humor. I was pleasantly surprised by what I found written within each story. Each begins and ends with a line from a classic story, some are written in prose, and each equally amazing. A Tale of Two Critters will bring up some familiar characters, and while I was reading it I was freaking out to another friend who is familiar with Mochrie. Could he have possibly written a story about...well, I don't want to spoil it. I found that he has a special ability with the poetry portions. Twas Not Right Before Christmas was probably my favorite thing about the whole book, and I laughed an insane amount. It's definitely going to be one I go back to if I'm having a down day. 

Nit Picks: There were a couple stories that I thought could have been shortened a bit, but as a whole I thought that each story played an important part in the book. I also have a life nitpick, I was hoping to add some of my favorite quotes here, but my Kindle Keyboard tragically died.

I wanted more! There, I said it. Here's hoping that he writes a second book, and the rest of the Whose Line cast decides this is an excellent career decision and write books, too.

Not Quite the Classics
By Colin Mochrie
Published by Diversion Books
256 Pages
Received via Netgalley
Rating: