The Cannibal's Guide to Ethical Living
2 journalers for this copy...
I've enjoyed several of Hansen's Bizarro Fiction books, including HELP! A Bear is Eating Me!, Hooray for Death!, and Rampaging F***ers..., and I finally decided to order this one from Barnes and Noble. I wonder how it will compare to To Serve Man!
Later: I enjoyed this often-grisly tale very much, despite - or because of - the many cringeworthy scenes. It's narrated by Andre ("I've got to stop eating millionaires"), who gradually reveals to his guest/prisoner Louis (a gourmet and restaurant-critic) how he came to specialize in the careful conversion into gastronomic delights of selected millionaires. He feeds them to other millionaires, of course - who else could afford it? - and there are some wondrously snarky remarks about the lifestyles of the insanely wealthy, but there's also an increasing realization that Andre may have a more... colorful... past than he admits. Even more intriguing: the growing hints as to his true relationship with Louis, who manages to retain a more-or-less dignified silence throughout most of his captivity.
While the setup seems pretty limited, there's a lot of suspense here, with gruesome scenes, black humor, and surprising twists - and all revealed via Andre's conversations; deftly done!
"Millionaires are like snowflakes: no two taste exactly alike. If you concentrate carefully on this meat, Louis, you can intimate a great deal about diet, health, lifestyle. In this blood I detect shopping, drinking, a little cosmetic surgery, mild infidelity, just a hint of antidepressants. Speaking of blood: you're running a bit low, aren't you Louis? You're pale and slumping. Fear not - the healing piower of millionaires will restore you! Just open wide, bite down... no, don't spit it out, Louis! Eat your millionaires, they're good for you. Here, we'll try again..."
Later: I enjoyed this often-grisly tale very much, despite - or because of - the many cringeworthy scenes. It's narrated by Andre ("I've got to stop eating millionaires"), who gradually reveals to his guest/prisoner Louis (a gourmet and restaurant-critic) how he came to specialize in the careful conversion into gastronomic delights of selected millionaires. He feeds them to other millionaires, of course - who else could afford it? - and there are some wondrously snarky remarks about the lifestyles of the insanely wealthy, but there's also an increasing realization that Andre may have a more... colorful... past than he admits. Even more intriguing: the growing hints as to his true relationship with Louis, who manages to retain a more-or-less dignified silence throughout most of his captivity.
While the setup seems pretty limited, there's a lot of suspense here, with gruesome scenes, black humor, and surprising twists - and all revealed via Andre's conversations; deftly done!
"Millionaires are like snowflakes: no two taste exactly alike. If you concentrate carefully on this meat, Louis, you can intimate a great deal about diet, health, lifestyle. In this blood I detect shopping, drinking, a little cosmetic surgery, mild infidelity, just a hint of antidepressants. Speaking of blood: you're running a bit low, aren't you Louis? You're pale and slumping. Fear not - the healing piower of millionaires will restore you! Just open wide, bite down... no, don't spit it out, Louis! Eat your millionaires, they're good for you. Here, we'll try again..."
I'm sending this to BCer HI77 in Florida to fill a wish. Enjoy!
*** Released for the 2014 The release challenge, for books with "the" in the title. ***
*** Released for the 2014 The release challenge, for books with "the" in the title. ***
Tome and place,
where taste buds vary
though the menu's the same.
where taste buds vary
though the menu's the same.
