This book is the second in the series named The Epic of Didier Rain. Read my review of the first book here. However, this book can still be read as a standalone novel, if you must. I would suggest read the first one in order to understand the references peppered through the book.

Fortuna and the Scapegrace continues the surreal aspect of the first book. It is often unexpectedly profound and ribald, sometimes in the same paragraph.

This book kicks off shortly after the events of the first book. He goes off on a journey that is full of surprises at every single step. It starts with an attractive soothsayer, and Didier does seem to have a weakness for the pretty ladies. A weakness for the ladies and a penchant for alcohol combine to ensure Didier wakes up the next day on a ship, with, ironically, nowhere to go. By a combination of skill set, luck, and other factors, he manages to bring himself some level of comfort on the ship, and proceeds to spend his time and energy as productively as he can.

I have to say, Didier sure does get along with goats. In both books, he does tend to invariably end up in the company of these 'goaty girls'. I did like Angeline though - the goat in this book. She is smart and sassy and seems like a pretty chill goat to hang out with.


This is the first book (rather, the second - first being the previous book in the series) I've seen where the narrator's verbosity does not detract from the writing, rather it serves to add another dimension of awesome to the proceedings. Didier is many things, but above all he has always been a poet at heart. That drives a lot of his soliloquy, and also does seem to drive some of his decisions. Whether those decisions are appropriate is an altogether different matter.

This book has a strong religious theme, not in terms of Didier's belief, but the fact that he is always drawn into such things. It seems to be an overarching theme of the series. It is a topic fraught with dissent, and Kindall handles it beautifully.

Like the book before, the ending seemed just right. It felt right. Very few books I've read recently have panned out so satisfactorily, so I was pretty happy with that aspect too.

Once again 5 stars for sure, because I honestly do not find a single flaw in this book. It is educational, poignant, well written, humorous, scandalous, and makes you think. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Brian Kindall is a genius of sorts. I look forward to reading many more of his wonderful works in the future.