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jess_mango's review against another edition
3.0
CIA operative Joe Chambers has been sent to Dublin as punishment for past blunder(s). There he is managing a CIA front company called Whetsone Publishing. Whetstone employs grad students and other over educated sorts to summarize books and journals for republication. Joe works there with his brilliant assistant, Sinead (who he mistakenly called Sinbad for the first bit of working with her) and gets frustrated by his boss' continued attempts to cut costs. Meanwhile, an MI6 agent keeps breaking into Joe's apartment to steal his alcohol stash.
This book is chock full of that absurdist, irreverent humor that you can find in the likes of Vonnegut, Christopher Moore et. al. This book is not for the faint of heart or easily offended. It is loaded with bawdy humor including brothel visits, sex scenes, tapeworms, organ thievery, curse words, etc. etc. You get the picture. I found this book to be amusing.
Chapters start with interesting cocktail recipes like the Litvinekenko Stinger, which is simply 8 oz. of Sloe Berry Tincture served in a hot teapot. yum???
The book is narrated in first person by our protagonist Joe Chambers. He has lots of interesting observations and turns of phrase.
"You get the idea. Information is knowledge, knowledge is power, power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. This I am the king of sexy."
"...there was something unnaturally androgynous and depraved about him, like a balding Christina Ricci..."
I enjoyed the bizzaro summaries created by Sinead and the Whetstone Publishing crew. They were very entertaining and probably one of my favorite aspects of the book.
Definitely an interesting read that will make you at the very least chuckle. I recommend this if you are looking for something a bit different and twisted.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is chock full of that absurdist, irreverent humor that you can find in the likes of Vonnegut, Christopher Moore et. al. This book is not for the faint of heart or easily offended. It is loaded with bawdy humor including brothel visits, sex scenes, tapeworms, organ thievery, curse words, etc. etc. You get the picture. I found this book to be amusing.
Chapters start with interesting cocktail recipes like the Litvinekenko Stinger, which is simply 8 oz. of Sloe Berry Tincture served in a hot teapot. yum???
The book is narrated in first person by our protagonist Joe Chambers. He has lots of interesting observations and turns of phrase.
"You get the idea. Information is knowledge, knowledge is power, power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. This I am the king of sexy."
"...there was something unnaturally androgynous and depraved about him, like a balding Christina Ricci..."
I enjoyed the bizzaro summaries created by Sinead and the Whetstone Publishing crew. They were very entertaining and probably one of my favorite aspects of the book.
Definitely an interesting read that will make you at the very least chuckle. I recommend this if you are looking for something a bit different and twisted.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
scooterdeb's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book!
I have waited an age to write a review, mostly because I didn't think I had the words to describe what I'd read. I still don't think I have the words, so, instead, I'll just tell you how it made me feel.
1) Like an adult reading a book for grown ups.
2) Like a person who could be trusted to read and understand intelligent dialogue.
3) Like I was in the actual story.
I was so inside this story that I never saw it coming. As the actress said to the Bishop. I had an idea of how I thought the story would end, but I completely wrong. I am so happy about that :)
It also makes me happy to know that Jay Spencer Green is out there, creating worlds for the rest of us to discover.
I have waited an age to write a review, mostly because I didn't think I had the words to describe what I'd read. I still don't think I have the words, so, instead, I'll just tell you how it made me feel.
1) Like an adult reading a book for grown ups.
2) Like a person who could be trusted to read and understand intelligent dialogue.
3) Like I was in the actual story.
I was so inside this story that I never saw it coming. As the actress said to the Bishop. I had an idea of how I thought the story would end, but I completely wrong. I am so happy about that :)
It also makes me happy to know that Jay Spencer Green is out there, creating worlds for the rest of us to discover.
cooloolat's review against another edition
4.0
I wish to thank Jay Spencer Green, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Breakfast at Cannibal Joe's in exchange for an honest review.
Joe Chambers (CIA operative) is sent to manage a publishing house in Dublin following an indiscretion in Greece; he continues to misbehave in Dublin. Jay Spencer Green has a wonderful sense of humour. This is a dark satirical novel; there is a laugh on nearly every page. It’s just what I needed at this point in time. Recommend.
Joe Chambers (CIA operative) is sent to manage a publishing house in Dublin following an indiscretion in Greece; he continues to misbehave in Dublin. Jay Spencer Green has a wonderful sense of humour. This is a dark satirical novel; there is a laugh on nearly every page. It’s just what I needed at this point in time. Recommend.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.0
Finished reading: September 9th 2015
“They forget that the CIA is all about collecting information. Information for other people to act on. If you join the CIA expecting a life of laser guns, ju-jitsu and exotic STDs, bear in mind that your only contact with them may come through the pages of The Lancet and Popular Mechanics.”
*** A copy of this novel was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Spoiler
I was asked to read and review Breakfast At Cannibal Joe's a little over two weeks ago and it sounded like a very entertaining read. Now I've read it, I can't deny it is a highly original, unique and creative story with matching prose, but I've also came to realize this kind of humor just isn't for me. I've had similar problems in the past (with The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Galaxy and A Dirty Job to name a few) where a lot of people seemed to appreciate the novel a lot more than I did, so maybe me and this novel just weren't ment to be? Like I said before, the prose is without doubt original and interesting, although it does include a lot of strong language (swearing, sex, drugs). If you are easily offended or don't appreciate dark humor, this might not be the perfect read for you. I liked the general storyline with the CIA agent Joe Chambers as a main character and the setting in a slightly dystopian Dublin, but I did have a hard time following the plot mostly because of the random bits of information in between the main story. Those paragraphs are also part of the uniqueness of Breakfast At Cannibal Joe's, so it's easy to say I had a hard time rating this novel...
CIA agent Joe Chambers screwed up in the past and is sent to Dublin to oversee a CIA front company since they can't get rid of him in another way. While it's not the most beautiful place to be stuck in, Joe is quite content with his current situation and is willing to do a lot to prevent the CIA from sending him back to the USA. He will have to find a better way of maximizing profits of the Whetstone Publishing company to save it, but Joe has other problems in his life as well. A MI6 agent keeps breaking into his apartment and stealing his booze, he might need to actually start selling drugs to keep the profits up, he has a tapeworm named Steve after his wife's lover in his guts... Joe Chambers' life is nothing close to ordinary. Will he be able to figure out his mess?
There is no doubt that Breakfast At Cannibal Joe's is an unique story and I really appreciated that. The main characters aren't exactly likeable, but they are not supposed to be in this story. I wasn't completely convinced by the humor and plot myself, but that mostly be because this kind of dark humor simply isn't for me. If you like the genre and don't mind the use of strong language and graphic scenes, give this novel a chance!
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
woolfardis's review against another edition
3.0
*I was sent this book by the author for an un-biased review.
Oh, well. Where do you begin with a book that ends with "The End"?
Joe Chambers is a CIA agent and he's been sent to Dublin because of a misdemeanour in Athens. His CIA, MI6 and other nefarious spy-related governmental body comrades are trying their best to keep their heads down whilst simultaneously seeking ways of making money. And some other stuff.
Or something like that. It's an odd plot. It's an odd book.
Usually when I'm asked to review a book that isn't directly sent from a publisher, it's not written all that well and I'm pretty much expecting a low standard of writing when that happens. That wasn't the case with this book: it was written so well I felt a bit queasy. It had everything in the correct place except, I think, I remember one tiny typo. Just the one. It really ambled on at a nice pace with as many twists and turns as I presume Dublin streets have. I've never been.
There are many authors who popped in to my head whilst I was reading this book, most notable Robert Rankin, James Joyce and Anne Frank, but only if all of them were on mescaline. It's written in a sort of diary-style, without the diary format, and then you have the insane protagonist who really can't handle drugs and has a very Joyce moment, and then you have a kind of really budget sci-fi feel to the whole thing, without the space or time travel.
Now, the plot I felt wasn't quite for me. It started out strongly, but it lagged in the middle and wasn't sure which way to really go. I had flashbacks of my failed attempt to read Trainspotting. The ending was certainly strong and the whole thing left me with a "what the fuck have I just read" kind of feeling. I haven't felt that for a long while. Not even Catch-22 did that to me. It definitely had it's moments, but was often lacking, too: some great high points but also a few great low points, too.
And to be succinct, the things that didn't quite sit well with me were my lack of sympathy, empathy or any other kind of -athy for any of the characters. That's quite tough in any kind of book. I also didn't laugh out loud at any point (not even a titter), which was quite disappointing as it's pretty much down the same kind of toilet as my humour usually is. I'm a big girl and I can handle satire, political incorrectness and sublimely bad (well-written) sex scenes, but I just wasn't feeling it as whole.
Now, I think if you enjoy things like Catch-22, Trainspotting, James Joyce, The Catcher in the Rye and maybe a sprinkle of early 80's Political Punk Poetry you'll find it suits you very well.
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Oh, well. Where do you begin with a book that ends with "The End"?
Joe Chambers is a CIA agent and he's been sent to Dublin because of a misdemeanour in Athens. His CIA, MI6 and other nefarious spy-related governmental body comrades are trying their best to keep their heads down whilst simultaneously seeking ways of making money. And some other stuff.
Or something like that. It's an odd plot. It's an odd book.
Usually when I'm asked to review a book that isn't directly sent from a publisher, it's not written all that well and I'm pretty much expecting a low standard of writing when that happens. That wasn't the case with this book: it was written so well I felt a bit queasy. It had everything in the correct place except, I think, I remember one tiny typo. Just the one. It really ambled on at a nice pace with as many twists and turns as I presume Dublin streets have. I've never been.
There are many authors who popped in to my head whilst I was reading this book, most notable Robert Rankin, James Joyce and Anne Frank, but only if all of them were on mescaline. It's written in a sort of diary-style, without the diary format, and then you have the insane protagonist who really can't handle drugs and has a very Joyce moment, and then you have a kind of really budget sci-fi feel to the whole thing, without the space or time travel.
Now, the plot I felt wasn't quite for me. It started out strongly, but it lagged in the middle and wasn't sure which way to really go. I had flashbacks of my failed attempt to read Trainspotting. The ending was certainly strong and the whole thing left me with a "what the fuck have I just read" kind of feeling. I haven't felt that for a long while. Not even Catch-22 did that to me. It definitely had it's moments, but was often lacking, too: some great high points but also a few great low points, too.
And to be succinct, the things that didn't quite sit well with me were my lack of sympathy, empathy or any other kind of -athy for any of the characters. That's quite tough in any kind of book. I also didn't laugh out loud at any point (not even a titter), which was quite disappointing as it's pretty much down the same kind of toilet as my humour usually is. I'm a big girl and I can handle satire, political incorrectness and sublimely bad (well-written) sex scenes, but I just wasn't feeling it as whole.
Now, I think if you enjoy things like Catch-22, Trainspotting, James Joyce, The Catcher in the Rye and maybe a sprinkle of early 80's Political Punk Poetry you'll find it suits you very well.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Shop | Etsy
kristianamr's review against another edition
4.0
There is very little I can say without spoiling Green's humorous thriller, and it is difficult to review after reading the Acknowledgements section which extolled and indicted this novel in equal measure; as Green essentially thanked others for their patience whilst he wrote this bizarre tale.
The book is exceptional - exceptionally written and exceptionally strange. It is an exploration of extremes, it is dystopian and darkly hilarious.
The structure allows multiple characters and their quirks to unravel at a timely pace; erupting into several plot twists by the end. It also allows Green's talent for black comedy to take the edge off, lulling you into a false sense of security and giggles through clever, tongue-in-cheek cocktail recipes beginning each chapter, and abstracts our protagonist Joe Chambers has read that week.
As a writer Green does not shy away from the risky and obscene. We are given the brutally raw and honest inner monologue of Chambers, crude and graphic descriptions of Frank's misdeeds and grammatical liberties are taken for Estimulo's megalomaniacal monologues. Thus, nothing happened as I expected it to because Green follows the conventions of a spy thriller whilst simultaneously turning the genre on its head.
And with this, I daren't say anymore as I shall be at risk of spoiling it. So, take it on good faith then, that Green has created something new and clever in Breakfast at Cannibal Joe's. I laughed and grimaced throughout; and although it was slow to start, it was worth it by the end.
The book is exceptional - exceptionally written and exceptionally strange. It is an exploration of extremes, it is dystopian and darkly hilarious.
The structure allows multiple characters and their quirks to unravel at a timely pace; erupting into several plot twists by the end. It also allows Green's talent for black comedy to take the edge off, lulling you into a false sense of security and giggles through clever, tongue-in-cheek cocktail recipes beginning each chapter, and abstracts our protagonist Joe Chambers has read that week.
As a writer Green does not shy away from the risky and obscene. We are given the brutally raw and honest inner monologue of Chambers, crude and graphic descriptions of Frank's misdeeds and grammatical liberties are taken for Estimulo's megalomaniacal monologues. Thus, nothing happened as I expected it to because Green follows the conventions of a spy thriller whilst simultaneously turning the genre on its head.
And with this, I daren't say anymore as I shall be at risk of spoiling it. So, take it on good faith then, that Green has created something new and clever in Breakfast at Cannibal Joe's. I laughed and grimaced throughout; and although it was slow to start, it was worth it by the end.
rogue_raven's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't get this book. There's a vague plot but for the most part, I either missed the plot or lost it.. so much of it feels like words just strung together, many of them made up. It's vulgar, I don't mind vulgar but it seemed pointless and I didn't find most of it funny. There were a couple of funny moments but I guess this one just went over my head
kingjason's review
5.0
Not really sure what I have read here, it's total madness, total disgusting, perverted, borderline offensive madness. The book starts off with "THE END" that's the kind of madness you'll have to put up with if you read this book.
I think I have managed to keep up with the plot, it twists and turns and tries it's best to shake you off. The humour is very good, I laughed a lot, the biggest laughs come at the end of each story with a list of facts or news clippings which I am sure are true, I've yet to Google the giraffe facts though. Each chapter also starts with a cocktail recipe, a few were above my head but I got some of them, very clever stuff.
It is tough to describe the plot without just confusing matters even more so just take my word for it, this is one of the funniest and cleverest books I've read this year; In fact I do declare this book to be "Bogus" (read the book for the definition of bogus)
Book review is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018/06/11/breakfast-at-cannibal-joes-by-jay-spencer-green/
I think I have managed to keep up with the plot, it twists and turns and tries it's best to shake you off. The humour is very good, I laughed a lot, the biggest laughs come at the end of each story with a list of facts or news clippings which I am sure are true, I've yet to Google the giraffe facts though. Each chapter also starts with a cocktail recipe, a few were above my head but I got some of them, very clever stuff.
It is tough to describe the plot without just confusing matters even more so just take my word for it, this is one of the funniest and cleverest books I've read this year; In fact I do declare this book to be "Bogus" (read the book for the definition of bogus)
Book review is here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018/06/11/breakfast-at-cannibal-joes-by-jay-spencer-green/
mfletcher's review
4.0
'Breakfast at Cannibal Joe's' is described as a dystopian comedy, and I'd say that is a perfectly accurate description of this insane satire of Western capitalism and the Irish people. I found myself frequently and religioulsy highlighting both hilarious and hard hitting passages for later reference. While ~dystopian~, the setting of late-capitalist Dublin is so close to being within our own reality that at times it feels like a surreal look into the world in 20 years time.
I highly recommend this book for lovers of dystopian who ere on the side of weird, but I will say that it's not for everyone. I'll definitely be looking into Green's other novels and I would like to thank Jay Spencer Green, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for review.
WARNING: If books had age ratings this would be MA15+ or R-rated. Don't read this if you're not comfortable with strong language and imagery (both violent and sexual.)
Full review at Practically Untitled.
I highly recommend this book for lovers of dystopian who ere on the side of weird, but I will say that it's not for everyone. I'll definitely be looking into Green's other novels and I would like to thank Jay Spencer Green, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for review.
WARNING: If books had age ratings this would be MA15+ or R-rated. Don't read this if you're not comfortable with strong language and imagery (both violent and sexual.)
Full review at Practically Untitled.
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