To be sure, the premise of this book is a little far-fetched: a blood test that can predict an individual’s behavior. And, it’s supposed to be humorous as well. That description intrigued me enough to decide to give it a go. Unfortunately, it fell flat.

The main character, Brock Hobson, makes a number of questionable decisions, including plunking down a princely sum of money for the predictive blood test without any questions and few qualms. Furthermore, his family is a train wreck that he doesn’t seem to know how to stop, even though he has good relationship with his two teenage children and even his ex-wife (who is somewhat off-the-rails as well). The dialogue is unnatural and often not easy to decipher and the pace is slow. Overall, I found it to be quite tedious to read.

Finally, this book is billed as a comedy, but I failed to perceive any humor in it. I didn’t crack a smile or even emit a lady-like snort when I read this book. I thought it was mostly just a sad commentary on this character’s life and decisions. So, in a nutshell, this book just wasn’t for me but I’ll hesitantly give it 2 stars for effort. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

This one fell a little flat for me. There were some funny moments but to be labeled as a comedy I expected there to be more humor. This wasn’t hard to read at all and I finished quickly, but it was just sort of meh.

The concept of this book was intriguing, but for me, it lacked in execution. On a whim, Brock Hobson takes a blood test for a hefty fee that's said to predict his future. He doesn't think much of it until his results determine that criminal behavior is imminent, and he's going to kill someone. Prior to this test, Brock was the most typical, predictable guy there was, so this throws him for a loop.

Oddly enough, the future-predicting blood test wasn't the heart of this story. We learn A LOT about his cheating ex-wife and her new partner, his two kids, and his new girlfriend. The humor didn't always land with me, but I enjoy a book that doesn't take itself too seriously.

While I didn't think it was super comical, I could appreciate the humor of some moments in the story. I liked Baxter's insight into artificial intelligence and how it can, or will, impact our lives and our free will.
Sincere thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book wasn’t what I thought it would be. The story ended up being bland with not much happening. The blood test kind of fades into the background. Mostly the author is going off on rants in the guise of the main character. There’s a whole spiel about women falling for the hot guys etc and a lot of comments regarding a divorce led on by cheating. There’s decisions of the main character were mostly that of a doormat type. I feel like if you have to point out this book is a comedy, the comedic stuff isn’t working on its own. Which is what happened here.

Good, funny, quick novel. I really liked the voice of the narrator. The novel got an outstanding review in the NY Times. I thought it captured where our country is at right now. Check it out.

Netgalley sent me a free egalley in exchange for this honest review.

This one just wasn't quite for me. The first thirty pages flew by, and I loved the quirky writing and subtle humor. But as I moved forward, and looked down the barrel of 150+ more pages, I found myself starting to dread picking this one up. The overall premise was interesting and fun, but in general it was just too meandering for me.

I wanted to love this book based on the synopsis and author but it fell flat in so many ways that it was a struggle to finish.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Pantheon for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on October 15, 2024.

I haven't read a lot of books like this. I didn't dislike it, per say, but I didn't find myself necessarily compelled by the idea or the characters. There were some moments I did like, or that I thought were darkly comical, but overall I just felt very middling about this book. I liked the way in which it was written, though, so I would definitely pick up another book by this author.

A blackly absurd comic novel that wants you to think it’s going to be about a middle-aged middle-class man going off the rails but is actually about how he doesn’t.

Brock Hobson is the sort of man who cleans out his garage. He works in insurance in a small town in Ohio. He takes a blood test administered by a shady organization called Generomics (a mix of Geronimo and Genome) that claims it can predict his future and the results predict criminal behavior and that he’s going to murder someone. Well, he does shoplift some garden shears but as for the murder, no spoilers.

What this is really about is his small town life and family and how much he loves them and wants to protect them. His 17 year old daughter Lena is dating a fellow who’s not quite as bright as she is, senior Pete Potter who virtually lives with them. His 15yo son Joe is coming to terms with being gay. His ex-wife, who Brock still carries a torch for, is living with a handsome wastrel. Brock is happily dating a park ranger.

As Brock works through his prophecy, he wonders if he’s like Macbeth or Cassandra. Or maybe he’s neither. There’s some good comedy moments like the duel in the wilderness park and Brock’s conversations with Dr George B. Graham III about the cursed British Royal Family, as well as the somewhat labyrinthine conversations with the doctors of Generomics. In the end though, as Brock tells us: “This story has been about love and not about the blood test of the title.”

I’ve not read any of Charles Baxter’s other novels, so I have no idea if this is typical or where it sits on the best-worst continuum. I enjoyed spending time with it and would happily dip into another.

Thanks to Pantheon and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

I'm a huge fan of Charles Baxter! I've read nearly everything he's written, starting with his first collection of stories. But I struggled with this one. It felt like he was too bent on capturing the current political crisis culture, and it was meant as a kind of farce rather than the usual poignant dance between history and future that Baxter often shows so well. The writing was often seamless, and flawless, but the story often lacked a sense of causation, as if patterned more after real life than a work of narrative fiction. Many readers will find in this book a certain sense of black humor. They will relate to the main character's frustrations, who doesn't have control over his life or his loved ones. Still, I struggled with actions and reactions that he made toward gaining control, and the manner of the point of view of him writing the book as a response to a creative writing class.
I look forward to Baxter's next book, which I hope has the gravitas and resonance of The Feast of Love!

Brock Hobson is a straight-laced, predictable, maybe even boring divorced dad of teens until a predictive blood test changes his life. Billed as a comedy, Blood Test is more of a criticism of modern American life.

Some parts of Blood Test held my attention, including the struggles of Brock's teenagers. Other parts asked big questions, like whether a test is predictive or whether a predictive test provokes behavior. Other parts were just sad, like how Brock gave his ex-wife everything she wanted (primarily, money). A few parts made me laugh, like constant confusion about Brock's name.

Overall, Blood Test was readable but not compelling. I felt sorry for Brock, but my pity didn't make me invested in what happened to him.

Blood Test by Charles Baxter, I love a funny book and this one about single dad Brock Hobson was hilarious. I would love to give a brief summary of the book but feel as if I wouldn’t do it justice just know his whole interaction with his wife in the man she left him for his hilarious but I especially like his inner thoughts when dealing with other people like doctors secretaries ET see this is really a super funny book and one I definitely know I will be reading again in the future I think Mr. Baxter did such an awesome job creating a single dad and all his intricacies and nuances, what I didn’t understand is why he kept giving his wife more money? I think there is a thin line between being a good Christian and an absolute fool and I absolutely believe Mr. Hobson was straddling that line. This was a funny book and one I definitely recommend. #NetGalley, #PantheonBooks,#CharlesBaxter, #BloodTest,

Thank you or the advanced copy netgalley but publishers are killing me with their descriptions lately. If this is a comedy i am a deeply unfunny person, or maybe just not cool enough to get the point.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pantheon for letting me read an eARC of Blood Test by Charles Baxter. I really enjoyed reading this wonderfully weird novel in which absurdity is a true highlight. In the novel Brock, the main character, is thrust into circumstances that he comes to feel are totally out of his control, as his future is given to him. I was highly amused as Brock goes from completely skeptical to unsure if the outcome foretold will actually come to pass. Highly recommended for fans of the weirdly strange and darkly comic, this will be a novel that is a must read.

I loved Feast of Love and Saul and Patsy. Baxter is a talented writer whose prose really flows. I loved the writing, but this book — I just didn’t get it. The story felt very surface and whatever it was trying to say is beyond me. The narrator Brock, is an insurance salesman who teaches Sunday school and lives with his two teenagers. His wife left him for a subcontractor. Brock takes a blood test that supposedly lets him know his predisposition for violence. This is supposed to be a comedy, but I didn’t laugh once. Maybe it’s me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Charles Baxter’s “Blood Test: A Comedy” is a delightful and darkly humorous exploration of fate, identity, and the absurdities of modern life. This novel takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the life of Brock Hobson, a seemingly ordinary insurance salesman whose world is turned upside down by an unexpected medical revelation.

The story begins with Brock Hobson, a divorced Midwestern dad and Sunday-school teacher, who leads a relatively uneventful life until he undergoes a cutting-edge medical test. The results are shocking: Brock has a genetic predisposition to become a murderer. This revelation sets off a series of comedic and chaotic events as Brock grapples with his newfound identity and the implications it has on his life and relationships. The setting, a typical Midwestern town, serves as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama, highlighting the contrast between Brock’s mundane existence and the extraordinary circumstances he finds himself in.

Brock Hobson is a wonderfully crafted protagonist whose journey from an average Joe to a man questioning his very nature is hilarious and poignant. His interactions with his teenage children, ex-wife, and quirky neighbors add depth and humor to the narrative. Baxter excels at creating characters that are relatable yet eccentric, each contributing to the novel’s rich tapestry of comedy and drama.

“Blood Test” delves into themes of destiny, self-discovery, and the often absurd nature of life. It raises thought-provoking questions about how much of our identity is determined by genetics versus personal choice. Baxter’s exploration of these themes is both insightful and entertaining, making readers ponder the deeper aspects of human nature while laughing at the absurdity of Brock’s predicament.

Baxter’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of dry humor. His ability to blend comedy with deeper philosophical questions is masterful, keeping readers engaged. The pacing is brisk, with each chapter bringing new twists and turns that keep the narrative fresh and exciting. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, adding to the overall charm of the story.

“Blood Test: A Comedy” is a standout novel that combines humor, heart, and a touch of the absurd. Charles Baxter has crafted a story that is entertaining and thought-provoking, with a protagonist who will resonate with readers.

A must-read for fans of dark comedy and anyone looking for a unique take on the complexities of human nature.

This book just didn’t do much for me. Comedy is in the title, so I was expecting some good LOL moments. I only had one (when a guy slipped on a banana peel & fell down the stairs) and I’m not sure that part was supposed to be funny. Maybe this just wasn’t my type of humor. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

The concept behind this book is undeniably intriguing, but the execution left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. There are flashes of clever humor and sharp insights into family dynamics, but the story meanders too often and doesn't quite live up to the high-stakes premise it sets up. The blood test plot, which initially seems like it will be the driving force, gets overshadowed by side stories that didn't always hold my interest.

The characters, while likeable, felt underdeveloped, and I struggled to connect with their motivations at times. I wanted to dive deeper into the psychological ramifications of the test but found the focus shifted too often to mundane aspects of the protagonist’s life. There’s definitely an audience for this, especially those who appreciate absurdist humor, but it didn’t fully land for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon for the ARC.