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A review by mk_loisirs
A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
5.0
*very minute spoilers included*
I am unsure I have the words to describe just how throughly I enjoyed this delectably disturbing book - but I will try. As Dorothy sardonically stated, “aesthetics are important.”
I was deliciously horrified the entire time. Dorothy’s account of her life as a culinary critic, and her sexual escapades truly beguiled me. It scared me that at times she was so charming and smart that I found myself agreeing with her.
(*Agreeing with an admitted psychopath, great MK…just great.*)
The satirical and feminist nature of this book was fantastic as was the prolifically descriptive prose.
The authors use of deeply visceral imagery was sublime and darkly humorous. The juxtaposition between mouthwateringly detailed food descriptions and sex/murder was as disconcerting as it was utterly fascinating. The melding of the two was the tasty sweet spot of this book - like the sweet & salty mix of a French fry & a Wendy’s frosty (yes, Dorothy would probably *kill* me for that simile but I had to try once in this review.)
The many nuanced references to food related literature and pop culture moments were so entertaining. (Like the moment Dorothy is referencing Proust’s madeleine after thinking back to her first sexual escapade with the fast food worker - “Such is the power of that particular madeleine.” pg.37)
This easily became one of my favorite books and I’m worried to say I will most likely read it again.
Despite Dolls being a certified psycho, she was smart, enrapturing and bloody brilliant. She doesn’t get a pass on her horror (she deserved her punishment) but I gotta respect a bad bitch who knows exactly who she is and her worth…even if she’s a total monster.
“…made me a better person, but I didn’t like her. She bored me. I couldn’t imagine forty more years with her. I saw her in my imagination, and I wanted to stab her through the heart with something thrilling and awful…”
And Dolls truly has “carved a place in [my] memory.”
I am unsure I have the words to describe just how throughly I enjoyed this delectably disturbing book - but I will try. As Dorothy sardonically stated, “aesthetics are important.”
I was deliciously horrified the entire time. Dorothy’s account of her life as a culinary critic, and her sexual escapades truly beguiled me. It scared me that at times she was so charming and smart that I found myself agreeing with her.
(*Agreeing with an admitted psychopath, great MK…just great.*)
The satirical and feminist nature of this book was fantastic as was the prolifically descriptive prose.
The authors use of deeply visceral imagery was sublime and darkly humorous. The juxtaposition between mouthwateringly detailed food descriptions and sex/murder was as disconcerting as it was utterly fascinating. The melding of the two was the tasty sweet spot of this book - like the sweet & salty mix of a French fry & a Wendy’s frosty (yes, Dorothy would probably *kill* me for that simile but I had to try once in this review.)
The many nuanced references to food related literature and pop culture moments were so entertaining. (Like the moment Dorothy is referencing Proust’s madeleine after thinking back to her first sexual escapade with the fast food worker - “Such is the power of that particular madeleine.” pg.37)
This easily became one of my favorite books and I’m worried to say I will most likely read it again.
Despite Dolls being a certified psycho, she was smart, enrapturing and bloody brilliant. She doesn’t get a pass on her horror (she deserved her punishment) but I gotta respect a bad bitch who knows exactly who she is and her worth…even if she’s a total monster.
“…made me a better person, but I didn’t like her. She bored me. I couldn’t imagine forty more years with her. I saw her in my imagination, and I wanted to stab her through the heart with something thrilling and awful…”
And Dolls truly has “carved a place in [my] memory.”