Carpet Diem: Or...How to Save the World by Accident
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Carpet Diem: Or...How to Save the World by Accident Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,287 ratings
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Fifteen years after losing most of his family to a devastating, pudding-related tragedy, Simon Debovar has settled into a life of self-imposed exile from the stinking, selfish morass of humanity. Content that his daily highlights will include hazelnut coffee, a long bath, and the occasional jar of olives, his life is completely upturned by the discovery that his ornate living room carpet is the deciding factor in a bet between God and Satan.

When mysteriously well-timed carpet thieves deprive him of the crucial heirloom, Simon is forced to leave his hermit's existence behind for a world of angels, demons, witches, and immortals.

And then it gets complicated.

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  1. Listening Length
    10 hours and 49 minutes
  2. Author
    Justin Lee Anderson
  3. Narrator
    Matthew Lloyd Davies
  4. Audible release date
    February 14, 2017
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Tantor Audio
  7. ASIN
    B01ND1ORZX
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 49 minutes
Author Justin Lee Anderson
Narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date February 14, 2017
Publisher Tantor Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B01ND1ORZX
Best Sellers Rank #235,505 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#681 in Satirical Literature & Fiction
#1,676 in Contemporary Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)
#9,696 in Fiction Satire

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
3,287 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kim Harrison
5.0 out of 5 stars super fun read!
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2023
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Lots of action, fast read with a great story. An unlikely hero with a rag-tag bunch of friends save the world. Perfect vacation reading.
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Josh
4.0 out of 5 stars Really good book, comedy, action, and both internal and external dialogues that were enjoyable.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2019
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This was a really interesting book. It had several parts that made me laugh, and the twists and turns throughout the book were enjoyable. One of the best books I have read in awhile.
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Elgon
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Justin Lee Anderson’s Carpet Diem
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2015
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Imagine the big bang was a little mistake that rapidly spun out of control, the result of divine siblings messing around and being unable to stop it. Of course they roll with it, wagering on which species will evolve to dominate. But the game was rigged from the outset so that it isn’t supposed to end in a stalemate.
The title Carpet Diem is a play on the Latin for “Seize the Day”. In this case, Justin Lee Anderson’s novel might be called Carpe Vestis or Seize the Rug. A unique, ancient artifact that Simon Debovar inherits from his uncle, a renowned archeologist, is the source considerable divine interest. You see, what Simon has decided to keep as his living room carpet proves to be the thirteenth and final piece of the ages contest pitting angels against demons. It is all they need to resolve the eternal competition, but according to the Rules, they must have the present owner give it to one or the other sides.
The rug, along with the rest of Simon’s considerable inheritance, came into Simon’s possession thirteen years ago after nearly all of his relations die at a family reunion, the result of an apparent accident involving pudding. As the sole named heir he becomes instantly loaded. And he, an asocial sort retreats even further from society, holed up in an apartment as an antisocial hermit who generally hates people mainly because they smell bad. Simon has disabled his doorbell to prevent anyone from ringing it. But then, after more than a decade of silence, it sounds, waking him from his sleep. He doesn’t answer the door so much from the curiosity of who might be calling but instead to learn how, after all this time, it has managed to ring. Those responsible are an unlikely pair, an angel named Daniel and a demon named Lily who have come bearing propositions. They have long since thrown in together to find the last artifact and are about to make their tempting offers to Simon in exchange. Yes, this is that kind of story, stretching the limits of imagination in the process of advancing plot and having some laughs along the way.
Justin Lee Anderson writes in the tradition of heavyweights like Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams but with a style all his own. He provides a host of bizarre and seemingly unnavigable situations for his characters, which include just about everything supernatural from witches and wizards to teleporters, ghosts and, of all things, an all-knowing deer. There are even some beings that are undefined in the nature of the universe, with unlimited abilities – just to make things more interesting. With imagination unbridled Anderson writes an absurd adventure leaving the reader wondering where it might go next. And the answer is, just about anywhere.
25 people found this helpful
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Toni D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024
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Twenty words or more required according to The Rules. Brilliant characters and ingenious story building.
Eagerly awaiting next in series.
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Carolyn K S
4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2020
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Why someone would choose this book and be offended that it is not politically correct for them is fairly narrow minded. This book is a fantasy and it is quirky and it is trying to convey how certain views do not tell anyone much about a person's inner being. Certainly not a main stream romance or mystery or horror story; this book is fun and creative and does have a deeper meaning than how beautiful someone is or what their place is in the universe.
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Amazon Kunde
3.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining, quick read
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2020
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I read this to fulfill the prompt "Book with a pun in the title" for the 2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge. There was a lot going on in this book, but overall an entertaining read.
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Avril Hofman
5.0 out of 5 stars Great characters who are so diverse and are brought together ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2015
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This book is not just for readers of fantasy. It is full of humour, wit, romance, danger, action, and psychotherapy. Great characters who are so diverse and are brought together through a holy carpet. We are privy to their crazy adventures and unlikely friendships. It is a wonderful read, flowing from chapter to chapter, and is written in a style that will please everyone. It is descriptive but not annoyingly so that the author thinks readers need to be spoon fed. Justin Lee Anderson lets us laugh without the laugh machine. Will his main characters encounter new adventures?. I hope so. For a first time published author Justin Lee Anderson has written an exceptionally good book and I hope to read more of him in the future.
One person found this helpful
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J. Gold
4.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this book, very clever and fast paced
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2016
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I picked this out by chance and am very happy I did. I really enjoyed Carpet Diem, very clever plot, witty and each chapter left you hanging just enough that you don't want to put the book down. Too bad I don't see another Justin Lee Anderson book in the bookstore but I am now following him so I know when he does release something new.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Wolf Montey
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very well wrought tale
Reviewed in Canada on May 16, 2022
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A friend recommended this book to me and to my delighted surprise it was a really good read! The characters are well written and the storyline is reasonable to follow if a bit whacked (lol!) but its seriously a good read!
I would d3finately recommend it!
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Aditya Deshmukh
5.0 out of 5 stars The Omens are True!
Reviewed in India on December 21, 2021
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A really good read. Funny and cute in all the right places. There are great characters and situations. Not your usual hero's journey, a great book nonetheless.
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Kindle-Kunde
4.0 out of 5 stars Nett zu lesen wenn man skurrilen britischen Humor mag
Reviewed in Germany on November 22, 2020
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Das Buch ist ja ganz unterhaltsam. Ist so konstruiert dass es viele Überraschungseffekte gibt, oft sehr skurrile Überraschungseffekte. Ich habe es gerne durchgelesen, habe mich unterhalten gefühlt, der Schluss war etwas dürftig, und letztendlich habe ich mich gefragt, ob ich nicht einfach meine Zeit verschwendet habe. Aber das ist ja bei vielen Büchern so.
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FZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Très bon
Reviewed in France on October 23, 2017
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Très drôle, l'histoire est pleine de rebondissements et rappelle parfois Good Omens, les personnages attachants, en particulier Harriet !
Très bon moment.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars For those who loved Terry Pratchett give Carpet Diem a try.
Reviewed in Australia on August 13, 2018
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I bought this book on a whim and throughly enjoyed it. It has a tight storyline and enjoyable characters. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
3 people found this helpful
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