When a book makes you laugh in the first few sentences, it’s a good sign, but I know not everyone feels this way. I suppose it depends how attached to the Disney film you are. The book’s different, written in a more serious tone. I have to say I liked both versions. I found the noir detective feel and ‘heard’ an occasional sentence as spoken by Bob Hoskins. This book isn’t the film. Anyone expecting that is bound to feel disappointed. Roger’s in no way as zany, but I liked the character’s development and grew extremely attached to him, though in a completely different way from the film. I can’t say more without giving away the ending, but it even plucked at the old heartstrings. I own the other three books and will read them. ( )

NOT the movie

This is a good story. If you think you're going to read a novelization of the script, you are dead wrong. This is MUCH darker. ( )

Massively different from the film that's based on it, but equally as enjoyable. There's no point in listing the differences as a better question would be "what are the similarities?"

The only thing the book and the film adaptation have in common are the usage of a few names, Eddie being a private detective, and Roger and Jessica being 'Toons. Otherwise, everything is different. Characterizations are different, the plot is different, etc.

This novel is good. Really good. It's an enjoyable mystery in the style of those old school pulp mysteries. Well written, funny, satirical on social issues, superb characterization, and a good mystery. It's really a good read, especially if you liked the film. ( )

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3613546.html

There are broad plot similarities, but big differences: the book is set in the present day (ie 1981); the Toons are from comic strips rather than animated films; their speech is preserved in physical speech bubbles; the plot turns on a deus ex machina and the ability of Toons to create short-lived doppelgangers of themselves, and is generally less tidy than the film. One of those cases where the cinematic adaptation is a lot better than the original material. ( )

I've been intrigued by Who Censored Roger Rabbit? for years, ever since I heard that it was the basis for Who Framed Roger Rabbit a movie I love. For a while, I couldn't find it anywhere, then, one day, it showed up at my local library. I checked it out, read it...and was so, So, SO disappointed. Man, what a weird, uninteresting book.
The plot-Eddie Valiant is hired by Roger Rabbit to find out what is going on with his contract. Roger wants to be in a solo comic strip, and the DeGreasy Brothers, his bosses, won't let him, no matter how illogical it is to keep him. His wife, Jessica Rabbit, is cheating on Roger with Rocco DeGreasy. The day after Eddie is hired, both Rocco and Roger are dead. Eddie is then drawn into the investigation of the double murders, while also getting caught up in a comic strip scandal, some affairs, and some odd adventure.
OK, some of the issues with this book are prevalent in the plot description. First of all, Roger is a comic strip character. In fact, Roger (and all the characters) actually talks in speech bubbles. OK... The characters who are animated are in...comic book strips. Weird...
But, sadly, these aren't the only problems with the book. The book is set in the 1980's, so cartoon characters are wearing jeans. Roger and Jessica are not only not in love, but are also incredibly unlikable. I did not care at all if these characters would get back together They don't, because of horrible magical shenanigans. Eddie is not that interesting. He has no girlfriend (who is an awesome character in the movie. Yay Delores!). And Eddie has no reason to hate 'toons. The movie gave a good reason why Eddie hates toons, but here, he just hates 'toons, but all humans in this book hate 'toons. I think it's supposed to be a racial allegory, (all humans hate 'toons, 'toons are treated as second class citizens) but it just feels so weird and so out of place in this book.
And my biggest problem with this book, something that made me bring this book down to one star is...cartoon characters can die from gunshot wounds. No, really, Roger Rabbit dies from being shotby a genie. REALLY!?!?! A FUCKING GENIE?!?!? And this genie gets introduced about 3/4 through the book. His magic lamp (which looks like a tea kettle) is introduced earlier, but still...THAT'S YOUR TWIST?. Like, seriously? Has the author seen any of the Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck "Rabbit Season/Duck Season" cartoons?
Seriously, go watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It's a fantastic interpretation of this very mediocre, confusing, and above all else, boring book. But...I still can't watch that scene with the cartoon shoe.

NOPE ( )