Cindy M

It doesn't get much better than this

Revisado: 11-22-15

This is the second time I read Carbuncle and I think he has such an enjoyable style. I read this in a particularly stressful week and it did make me laugh out loud, so the timing couldn’t be more appropriate. His previous novel “Smashed” is all strange, humorous and unique — that’s why I love it — but this one manages to be even more twisted. Sick is the best word to define it, I think. How was he able to transform such a simple plot (troubled-hero-embarks-on-a-self-discovery-journey-where-he-meets-random-people-who-change-him) into such a lysergic experience? The plot had nothing spectacular about it, but similarly to Smashed, what conquered me in this book was the humor, the craziness, the adrenaline and the fact that I could relate with John on so many levels (ok, that’s just embarrassing).

I usually don’t prefer writing over plot, there needs to be some sort of equilibrium. I’ve read authors who wrote brilliantly about things that made me want to erase my memory and, for that reason, I wouldn’t consider them perfect. I’ve read authors who executed a great idea so poorly that I felt sorry for the death of the idea involved. I’ve also read writers like John Fowles who are able to transform a nice concept into a masterpiece. These are my favorite types of authors. And then there are people who can start from a completely ordinary plot and still amaze me because the writing is so special I just can’t help being addicted to it. Lance Carbuncle falls into this last category.

"Sloughing off the rot" is somewhat similar to Nick Hornby's "About a boy". There are musical references, the narrative isn’t pretentious and the main character is extremely likable, despite all his flaws (and he has many). Also, there’s something childish about him, perhaps because he is a man without a past. But "Sloughing" is way crazier. And funnier.

Overall, a very authentic and creative novel that managed to amuse me in the middle of a brutal week. 4 out of 5 stars.

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