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.

I loved the premise of this book that a blood test can predict predisposition to criminality, in this case murder. However this where my delight for the book ended. The execution did not match the potential and the ending felt flat.

Blood Test had a lot of potential, with a compelling premise: a blood test that predicts a murderous predisposition in our main protagonist Brock. While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt like it missed the mark in some areas. The pacing was a bit off, and the plot didn’t go in the direction the way I hoped it would. I thought the blood test that Brock takes would lead to something more compelling, but instead, the story focused more on his family relationships.

While those dynamics were interesting, I wished the characters were more developed—they felt a bit flat at times. I found myself wanting to know more about them and their motivations. The characters, including Brock himself, felt underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully invest in their journeys.

That said, I did appreciate Baxter’s writing style and the humorous moments he brought to the story. Even though it didn’t fully meet my expectations, I still found it enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon for the ARC.

Blood Test: A Comedy is definitely funny at times. I enjoyed the narration by the main character, Brock Hobson. Brock is a good guy: he has a sweet girlfriend, he's raising his two teenage children, and he teaches Sunday school. He's also still a little bit in love with his ex-wife, and he is overly generous in his financial support of her and the man she left Brock for. This book is a charming story about love, family, and love of family both related by blood and found. The author then takes this sublime story and throws Brock into some absurd situations, which are often funny, but I had a hard time understanding why he gets himself into these situations in the first place. I liked the book, but I just didn't connect with it or any of the characters. This is a novel that will work well for some readers and miss the mark with others. I think it just depends on your tolerance for the absurdity. Thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon for the advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

interesting concept but I couldn’t get into it. Brock tends to go off on rants and it takes away from the actual point.
While the characters are well developed they just seemed randomly place in the story.
I truly have no idea what the purpose of this book was.

I like several of Baxter's other works but this one is tedious, repetitive, and goes nowhere.
I skimmed most of it. There were a few funny parts but not enough to save it.

Blood Test is a darkly comic book that I mostly enjoyed. The pacing was a bit slow for me but I loved the internal ramblings of the MC and it was a neat concept for a book!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Blood Test.

I liked the cover; it was quirky and unusual and caught my eye as much as the premise did.

The narrative began well; a mild-mannered dullard named Brock Hobson agrees to take a predictive blood test that eventually reveals he will embark on a life of crime and commit a murder.

Does this mean Brock will fulfill his genetic destiny? Or is the blood test just a scam?

I had a different idea of how the narrative would go and this wasn't it.

The blood test is a minor subplot to the mundane life that Brock Hobson lives.

Is the narrative darkly comedic? Some parts are. There are random tangents that seem silly but that's because life can be random and silly.

But then the narrative becomes tedious and bogged down in repetitive, scattered discussions about conspiracy theories that have nothing to do with the blood test.

I thought the narrative would focus on Brock and his existential crisis after he discovers what the blood test reveals but it's not like that at all.

We see his odd relationship with his ex and his kids, his girlfriend Trey and what he does everyday which is living his boring existence.

Brock is a relatable character and at the same time not likable. He's a pushover, a doormat, and dull as dishwater, which may be the point.

But it was hard to care about him and understand the point of the narrative. Or maybe there is no point?

Is that life? Is this it? Now that's dark.

Blood Test by Charles Baxter is a unique and funny novel about an insurance salesman named Brock Hobson. Brock lives an uneventful life as a divorcee with teenagers until one day he had a blood test that reveals he is destined to become a criminal, a serious criminal. Brock grappes with how he should change his lifestyle in light of this medical result.

The book is very funny and well written. I really like the unique premise and humor. The plotted meadered from time to time make this book a bit difficult to finish but in the end I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Brock Hobson is an average and plain insurance salesman until his live is changed forever by a seemingly innocuous blood test. Yes, leave it to Charles Baxter to craft a whimsical look at artificial intelligence and the lasting impact it can have on our lives. The colorful cast of characters makes this a delightful read. This riotous read will leave you wondering if we are masters of our own fate or not. If nothing else, you'll be entertained by the changes Brock Hobson endures. Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor (Pantheon) & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I like the concept here, but I really struggled mightily with the rollout... I could not for the life of me figure out how I was supposed to believe that a man plodding through his life would agree to spend thousands of dollars on a test provided by a company he could find out nothing about designed to tell him he didn't even know what... (yes I know that's horrible syntax, sorry) That sense of confusion as to why things were progressing as they were never left me. This was a book that just didn't work for me...

I should have listened to my gut instinct and abandoned this one, but I stuck it out in hopes of something…interesting? Parts were amusing, but not worth the time.

A comic novel in which a mild-mannered insurance agent takes a blood test—potentially a scam—that identifies him as likely to commit criminal activity. HOWEVER! I think this book is up to more than meets the eye, because this setup is almost a red herring—while hilarious and observant (I made many of my friends read the description of a movie that Brock rents, 'The Robot Pope') is actually very concerned with what is owed to our family, those we despise politically, and the natural world in a down-on-its-luck Ohio town that is representative of America.

It subverts a lot of the Chekhov's-whatever dramatic expectations that it sets up, and I think (based on other reviews) that that element is throwing people off. But I found the way it handled violence was pretty interesting, and Brock's warm-hearted complaining and weathering of vicissitudes very fun to read.

What do you get when you combine a clearly gifted writer with a high-concept plot (man takes an experimental blood test that tells him he is destined to embark on a crime wave)? You get a fairly muddled work that doesn’t have the courage to explore the high concept.

For me, this simply didn’t hold together. So much of the main character’s actions are unexplained and unexplainable. The supporting characters are well-developed but thrown into random plot developments.

I rarely read a book where I have no idea what it is trying to communicate, but that was my experience here.

Many thanks to Knopf/NetGalley for the advance copy.