And the Ass Saw the Angel
* NOTE: NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART *
Euchrid has had a difficult life. Born to an alcoholic mother and an inbreed father, he is also mute and outcast by the exceptionally religious people of the town near by. This novel follows his childhood into his adult years as he watches and silently judges the citizens who have beaten him down. Believing himself to be on a mission from God, he is about to settle accounts on the Lord’s behalf.
The best word to describe this book is…dark. Nick Cave writes some incredibly poetic prose. Due to this style, this is a novel that isn’t a quick read because the writing is vivid and the imagery strikes at your soul. I had a hard time rating this book because it was so well written, and drew me into Euchrid’s poor life, but I also had a hard time rating a book so highly when I was often uncomfortable due to the abuse of humans and animals. All throughout the book I couldn’t help but have many questions and think this would have been a great read for a book club. I wondered how someone who didn’t seem to have any education could have such complex thoughts, or if the protagonist was schizophrenic or just beaten to the point of being irreparable? For the duration of the novel I kept thinking that the protagonist’s childhood could have been the back-story for Cormac McCarthy’s Chigurh from No Country for Old Men. The constant corruption and injustices served upon Euchrid can easily turn a person into a ruthless killer with his own set of twisted morals.
I stated above that this book is not for the faint of heart…but honestly, this book is really for a select audience. If you were fascinated with the twisted thoughts and childhood portion of the serial killer in The Cell with Jennifer Lopez, then this might be for you.
Malia's Pizza Rating
A pizza from the Roadkill Cafe