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A review by nicklindgren
The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington
3.0
The Brothers Grossbart have no special powers and are not likeable in any way. They commit horrific acts of murder and vengeance with wanton abandon. Their world is equal parts disgustingly gritty realism and matter-of-fact-fairy-tale-style fantasy. And yet, by the end of this story (which begins as the brothers slaughter the family of the man who broke the eldest brother's nose with a shovel), the reader is moved to feel even a little bit bad for the brothers in their horrible world.
Oh yes - and it's a comedy. If you are prudish or easily offended, you should avoid this book at all costs. If you are the sort of person who wants to hear some knee-slappers about the Black Plague and Medieval heresies, you are in luck.
Chapter Seven, "A Cautionary Yarn, Spun for Fathers and Daughters Alike" is pure genius. It stands on its own as its own little fairy tale/origin story. If you have to read one part of this book straight through at a book store, this is the one.
The first 2/3 of this novel are stunning - the last third drops off precipitously in pacing and variety. It is as if the plot got mired in mud and needed to be put out of its misery, like many of the other characters in the book already. Still, it is a hair's-breadth from four stars. Highly recommended.
Oh yes - and it's a comedy. If you are prudish or easily offended, you should avoid this book at all costs. If you are the sort of person who wants to hear some knee-slappers about the Black Plague and Medieval heresies, you are in luck.
Chapter Seven, "A Cautionary Yarn, Spun for Fathers and Daughters Alike" is pure genius. It stands on its own as its own little fairy tale/origin story. If you have to read one part of this book straight through at a book store, this is the one.
The first 2/3 of this novel are stunning - the last third drops off precipitously in pacing and variety. It is as if the plot got mired in mud and needed to be put out of its misery, like many of the other characters in the book already. Still, it is a hair's-breadth from four stars. Highly recommended.