A pristine hardback in a charity shop for £2, it (almost) makes one feel guilty about buying books from them! Another Booker winner and pick from my short, secret wish-list.

(01/10/09) A quite brilliantly conceived and executed debut, a doubly odd (unusual) Booker winner I think. Beware *big spoiler*:

Despite some early misgivings about the language and style, you very soon get dragged into Vernon 'Gregory' Little's life of personal challenge and public victimisation. I loved the failed attempts to run away, the eventually flight to Mexico (from small-town Martirio, TX) only to be caught in a honey-trap. If anything the last part of the book was even better, the trial, and last last minute stay of execution. I will forgive DBC Pierre giving us a happy ending if only for the brilliant premise that as animals we can all be 'bought' by recognising the essential truth of the, '...snake-pit of human wants', the big secret imparted to our hero on death row which allows him to play God with those that have chosen to abuse or neglect him...giving people what they want! Another recurring theme, taken from a Mexican truck driver, 'Me ves, y sufres'; you see me and suffer.