To the lucky finder of this book...

Thank you for taking the time to visit us at Bookcrossing. If this is your first visit to our site...welcome & I'm sure you'll find it fun!

All over the world people are following their books travels through Book Crossing & by making an entry you will be helping keep this books unique travelling history up-to-date.

When you’ve read it,why not come back here and let us know what you thought of it? Tell us what your plans for it are....is it being passed to someone else?...or maybe you're going to leave it for someone else to find - just like you did! Then, if you want to, you will be able to follow it's travels around the book loving world as well!

Enjoy the book!

This one's going out as a bookring. It's described as horror which is an understatement. Sit up straight while reading it to give your stomach room to rise. Do not read before eating unless you want to lose weight.
That said, it's not just a list of horrible actions, it's totally thought provoking.
The skill lies in the psychological angle to it and the fact that for the first couple of chapters at least it lets you paint the picture without graphically spelling it out.
This only makes it more horrific when it confirms what you have been thinking it may be saying.
Gruesome, bile rising, incredibly skilful and makes Stephen King look like Enid Blyton.
You have been warned.
If you still want to join the bookring (and I cannot emphasise the skill in this one enough) PM me at any stage and I'll try and add you in.


Order so far:
Innae in US prefers US, int'l at a push<---read it, and bought a copy!
BarkLessWagMore in US prefers US (saw the review on a US podcast and wanted to read it from that)
kerbam1421 in US ship US <---response to book "WOW!"
mysticalzoe in US ship US
Erishkigal in US ship US<----book is here
Mellion108 US ship int'l book never arrived here but mellion108 replaced it (thank you) with http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/8009694


Jare in US ship int'l
MrBaggins1 in South Africa will ship int'l
bookowl1000 in UK prefers UK/EU
silvia-pco - portugal - eu
dutch-book - Netherlands-EU
Plum-crazy in UK prefers UK/EU
lidlekiwi in UK post UK
jonniboi in UK prefers UK
chucklesthescot in Uk prefers UK/EU
platypussj in UK

WickedWordz in US prefers US <--- no answer to pms

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***PM Karen07814 to join the ring*******************************************************************
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

over to you

This book has made it to Colorado, and I really can't wait to get started reading!!!

I have a lot of thoughts on this book -- not your usual horror -- anyway, I don't want to ruin it for anyone, so highlight to read
The book starts out straight horror - lots of gore -- and I re-read some passages to make sure what D'Lacey was writing was what I was understanding -- and YEP...Meat is people. They call them "The Chosen", but make no doubts - they are people. And my favorite - OMG scene is the tea party. just ew.

As the story progresses, it changes from gross out horror, to more psychological horror. I started thinking about things more, and wondering about where it was going. The townsfolke start to have more issues with health, and there are a few who start to wonder about their religion, and where their meat comes from.

Overall, a very good read. It slowed down for me toward the end, but then the end picked it back up again. There is no mention of ANY other animals besides humans -- no dogs, cats, cows...nothing, and yet you get the feeling this is the future of OUR world. So, what has happened? you don't get to know, but I am pretty sure it doesn't matter. Life has degenerated quite a bit by the time the tale starts.

An intriguing read. And something I would recommend to most of my friends. (I have a few who would be too squeamish for this book)

I am trying to reach WickedWordz, but no reply as of yet. I will give it a few more days though before I try the next person.

ED:09/24/09 - the copy I purchased to pass on to a friend at work has arrived!! -- she saw me reading it and thought it sounded like a book she wanted to read...so....

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

sending out this morning to Barklesswagmore!!

Delivery Confirmation #0309 1140 0000 4544 5417

quick note from the author with apologies for my interruption...

"Since last we corresponded I’ve won an award for MEAT – you can see the footage at Horror Reanimated

http://www.horrorreanimated.com/2009/09/25/joseph-d%E2%80%99lacey-wins-british-fantasy-society-best-newcomer-award-and-while-we%E2%80%99re-at-it-let%E2%80%99s-get-metaphysical%E2%80%A6/#comments

. Feel free to share the link if you wish. I hope the book continues to leave good experiences in its wake…"

I dislike eating meat and know too much about what they do to the poor cows and other beasts raised for meat and think this book may just force me into a life without chicken (farm raised or not).

Thanks for sending it my way. I have one book ahead of this but should be able to get to it soon. I will post my thoughts as I read it.

I apologize for the holdup. I am a terribly slow reader but I am working my way through this one whenever I can.

You weren't kidding when you described this book as ultimate horror. I've read many horrific things and thought I'd "read it all" but this one is frightening possibly because I can see things going this way in the case of an apocalypse or other such disaster, with those in a position of power taking advantage of those without. Call me gloomy but I don't have a lot of faith in man.

It's very thought provoking and reinforces my belief that raising animals in horrible conditions for meat and profit is wrong (though I'm not a full vegetarian this book may just push me over the edge).

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

My apologies again for holding on to this book for so very long. It was a haunting read that was both horrifying and thought provoking. I admit it, as someone previously mentioned, that it dragged a bit for me at the midway point when the focus shifted a bit but overall it was one of those books I hated to put down when life interrupted.

Mailing off to kerbam1421

I received this book yesterday, 11/17/09. I have 2 rings in front of it. I promise to get to it ASAP and send it on its' way. Thank you!

Just wanted to give you all an update that I started reading this yesterday, 11/29/09.

WOW!!! This book was great! It was grusome, yes, but I loved it. It was a pretty scary concept....I don't want to give too much away. Thank you so much for offering this ring to everyone!

Eishkigal wasn't showing up when I tried the Find Members tab. I have mysticalzoe's address already but PMed her to make sure she was still interested in the ring. Once I get that info, it will be on its' way!

Thanks again!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Released to mysticalzoe! Enjoy! :)

DC#: 420043459102128882300920851438

I received this book today and will start reading it tomorrow, thanks for sharing!

Just wanted to update:

I am currently reading this book, I started reading 6 days ago and just now getting to the middle, so far so good. I will PM the next person as soon as I get a little further into the book.

Dec 30th 2009~ I finally finished this book in one afternoon. It was gruesome but very spiritual for me and I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing. I already have the next person's address and will send out on Monday as we have a huge snowstorm coming our way.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I sent this off today at 12:45 pm, it's heading off to the next reader enjoy!!

Meat has arrived in Utah~~in my box when I arrived home yestereve. I've a book to finish before I start this , but it shouldn't be long before I'm underway.

Interesting timing: I'm in the middle of building both a chicken and a whole ham for The Grand's current production~~the chicken is to look raw, with a cavity for the actress to 'stuff' every night. Almost finished.

uh-oh. until i rec'd a most confusing message a few moments ago, i didn't realize i didn't journal after the fact~~ which is weird, as I've been raving about it to **everyone**

MEAT is such a great read I tore right through it~~ and then promptly got online and ordered a copy through Abesbooks, so I can shart it with friends and family!! That copy arrived Thurs and is already in my daughter's hot little hands :) And this copy was mailed to Michigan, to Mellion108, about 2-2 1/2 weeks ago.

I posted in book talk when i was almost finished http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/6/6677781 that was 1/28

Thanks for sharing this book!

a quick interrupt with a note from the author...this will please some and horrify others

"I met with the scriptwriter and producer of MEAT the movie last week. We’re entering the financing stage – make or break now…"

"PS if any of the readers in the bookring ever wanted to ask questions about MEAT or find out more about how and why I write, I’d be happy to oblige."

OK this copy got lost and now it's been replaced with
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/8009694
and continues it's travels. Let's hope everyone enjoys it.

We have been given copies of Joseph D'Lacey's other 2 books for sharing.

The Garbage Man and The Kill Crew

If you'd like to read them as well please sign up here:

http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/6844913/1

MONTHS after being positive I had sent this on, I found the package squished down in the seat of my car. OK, I know this couldn't happen to most of you, but I take a bunch of books in to maill at once, and you have never seen my car, always with a variety of stage props or the makings of, often with camping gear, and/or scavenged wood, and sweatlodge blankets, and gods knows what else.... anyway, I immediately pm'd Karen07814, prostrating myself, and begging forgiveness.... she was most kind and told me to go ahead and pass it on in whatever manner (Having already replaced it in the ring). Even that took longer than I anticipated, but I am now passing it on to find a "next reader." I have put it into my Science Fiction Bookbox.

Why, you may ask, looking at this list of "Horror" journals, is this book in a Science Fiction ONLY bookbox? Because, while it may be horrific, as a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel, SF is precisely what it is. This is a fantastic book! But 'tis not for the squeamish.....

Taking from Erishkigal's sci-fi bookbox. Thanks! This one looks interesting!

This has to be one of the most disturbing novels I have ever read! Having said that, it was also one of the most gripping -- it kept me hooked from start to finish. It started with graphic descriptions of how cattle are methodically slaughtered in a slaughterhouse (but are they cattle? Why do they have fingers?). Okay - I'm sure no one will be surprised by what is really taking place. The novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where it appears only one city remains. The town is ruled by the diabolical Meat Baron on one side and the Church or The Welfare headed by the Grand Bishop on the other. Both sides are caught in a power struggle to provide the Sacred Meat to the population. The novel is basically an allegory or fable that shows the darker side of meat consumption and the cruelty to animals along with how religious doctrine can be destructive. I would recommend this one but it is definitely not for the easily nauseated!

Since this was originally a bookring that was replaced and the replacement ring has also stalled, I plan on sending this on to any remaining participants who are still interested (and anyone else who would like to join). So far I have heard from the following.

These would still like to read the book:
bookowl1000 (China)
Plum-crazy (UK)
platypussj (UK)
silvia-pco (Portugal - near end)
dutch-book (Netherlands) - Would have to be at end

No longer interested:
Jonniboi (No longer interested)
chucklesthescot (Already read book)

I will be on vacation for about a week but when I return, I will send this on to the next interested reader.

Sending to bookowl1000 in China to continue this bookring. Hopefully, this will get there okay and the ring will go on the the remaining interested participants (see previous JE for list).

The book has arrived safely here in Foshan. It was waiting for me when I got back from Malaysia; thanks for sending it my way.

However, I am only back at home for one and a haf days. I will then be off backbacking around Yunnan Province in China for 3 weeks. I plan to take small books with small, densely packed writing, releasing them as I finished with them. I am afraid that as I will be carrying everything with me, and have a low likelihood of coming across a post office to pass it on while on the move, I can't take this with me. I could finish this in just a couple of hours, then I would be carrying dead weight around.

I will get it read and moving again as soon as I can.

I am going to be in Lijiang for a couple of days so have decided to take it to rea don the way there, and post before the rest of my journey. I just hope that plum-crazy responds to the address request promptly.

I began reading the book on my way to the airport and had finished by the time I had arrived at Lijiang airport. I was engrossed by the books.

I did not find the descriptions of how 'the chosen' were processed to be overly horrific. I did not find it shocking as I am already familar with the processes involved in factory farming, hence why I have been a vegetarian for 16 years. What struck my was how unemotional the descriptions were; you could have been reading a manual on meat processing. That was the point. This happens every day, with millions of people as willing participants, as they are 'just animals' not like us...the exact mentality of the towns people. I do not think that eating meant is wrong; I think that all people should have more of a connection to what they eat, have an understanding of where it came from, and how it got on their plate. This would result in a greater respect for animals and them being treated ethically.

I would have liked to have known more about how this world began...what was the disaster, and how did it happen...but that was not the point of the story. For me, the most compelling parts of the novel were about how a population can easily be controlled and manipulated by a government and/or religion. In the end, eating meat was not about the needs of the people, it was about power and control.

As a side point; when i first became a vegetarian is was considered a bit odd but now in the UK it is considered normal and in all my travels I have discovered it is the easiest country i have visited to be a vegetarian. There is also a big ethical food movement; a lot of people care about where there food comes from. By contrast, China is a an extremely difficult place to be a vegetarian. A lot of people look at me like I am a kind of freak, or they just look confused as most people don't even understand what being vegetarian means; there is no concept of 'freedom foods' marks on food labelling...it is like stepping back in time to how the UK used to be. Educationand awareness is what makes the difference.

I have the next address and hope to find a post office soon.

Posted today.
Enjoy.

The book has arrived safely with me & I hope to start it at the weekend - judging by some of the JE's I'm in for interesting timer :o)

Oh my - what a read! It's a book that just begs to be discussed face-to-face with other readers, it's raised so many questions that I want answering & want to talk about...but I don't want to spoil it for future readers so for the moment I'll hold my tongue :o)

Suffice to say I was totally gripped by this book. It was a much better tale than I was expecting - I was dreading it being the written version of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" - all blood, gore & guts & no real storyline!- & the episode with the veal calves I found quite emotional.

Like bookowl100 I'd like to know how this world came about, more about the Book of Giving...but enough! I am wary of spoiling it for the next readers so I will look forward to a good discussion about this book when everyone has done :o)

Now I hadn't realised there was a new reading order so had PMed lidlekiwi for an address but looking at her profile she may no longer be BXing. Will give her a week to get back to me & move on to platipussj.

On it's way to platypussj....

...& now also part of the AUGUST ONE WORD Challenge - release unlucky 13 :o)

Woohoo! After three years this book is back in Colchester and will be my next read. If been quite excited about this book and am looking forward to reading it very much. Thank you Plum-crazy for prompt posting and the delicious RABCK surprise that accompanied it :o)

I heeded warnings about not eating, particularly meat, whilst reading this book and it was not the tuna salad that I was eating whilst reading chapter three that was the problem, it was the black cherry milkshake that accompanied it.

This book is intelligent and thought provoking. Like other readers, I would like to have known how the town became the way it was, the cause. But then, I suspect that the townspeople didn't know so do we really need to?

To me, what is really important to me about about this book is how it demonstrated the objectification of living creatures for the purpose of business and profit (including the disgusting amount of waste that is generated) and how convenient it is for consumers not to know (to choose not to know) what it is that passes through their lips.

This book does beg to be discussed and I've been giving an overview to a number of friends who are unlikely to read it so that I can talk about it with them.

Looking through the journal entries I believe silvia-pco is next in line so will send her a message now.

Book is here! Thanks for sharing!

Wow. Just wow. I can't remember the last time I actually had to stop my reading to take a deep breath because a book was really getting to me, but this one did it. I'm not a vegetarian and I don't think I could ever be - I really just love eating meat too much. But I do think about how the meat that I eat comes to be at my plate. I've always lived surrounded by animals since I'm from a rural area, and I've always seen them being well treated and respected by their owners... this slaughterhouse concept really bugs me. We just treat the animals like they have no sense of pain at all...

Anyway, to me the good part of the book was really more about the awareness it aims to raise, the SF part of it didn't touch me as much. All in all I liked it very much and would recommend it... for those who can take it :)

Book's on its way to dutch-book! Hope it'll arrive safely. Enjoy!

It's here. I already feel squeamish about this book and I haven't read a word yet. Thanks for sending silvia-pco.

And I have finished it. It was quite horrifying, but then again I didn't eat while reading. I must admit that I am not as aware as I should be, but this book proves to be a good start. I didn't get what was happening, until maybe the half of the book.
I have PM'ed the owner and am awaiting response, as I am the last in the ring.

At the meeting.

Wauw, this book is a real traveller! I brought it back from the Castricum meeting because I like thrillers, so I think scanning the back and entries, this will be a good one ;)

I still don't know exactly what I have read. But o my it was an experience, and a roller coaster.
If you enjoy horror without to much bloodshed or the standard killer on the loose, this book is most definitely something for you to read!
Mind boggling, shiver inducing, NO shout worthy it is an extremely well put together story

Happy travels book!