A Certain Hunger

Chelsea G. Summers

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'A Certain Hunger' by Chelsea G. Summers is a dark and sophisticated novel that follows a marvelously complex protagonist who is a woman that kills and eats her lovers, all while maintaining a sharp, satiric eye on the world around her. The writing style is described as gorgeous, with an absolute mastery of language that combines elegance with the rawest matter of humanity. The novel is a compelling and addictive story that delves into visceral, bloody shock while providing poignant insights into human nature.

The book introduces a significant character near the end, which is described as a devastating and well-executed move by the author. The plot is filled with surprising twists and turns, with a narrative that is witty, academic, and meant to shock. The author's writing is poetic, highly descriptive, and captivating, making the reader feel awkward even trying to write about it due to its brilliance and complexity.

Characters:

The characters, especially the protagonist Dorothy, are portrayed as complex and multifaceted, blending intellect with a disturbing moral compass.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is sophisticated and richly descriptive, combining beautiful prose with a poetic flair, though some readers find it overly wordy.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a female food critic who is also a cannibal, intertwining her culinary expertise with serial killings in a darkly humorous and graphic narrative.

Setting:

The setting includes various locations, particularly in the culinary scene, enhancing the contrast between gourmet experiences and horror elements.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with some finding it slow and tedious while others find it engaging, fluctuating between culinary experiences and graphic violence.

They all look the same, hotel bars, even when they don’t. The oak and the glass, the palms and the bottles, the lighting that casts that singular glow, wrapping you in its warmth and pin-spotting your...

Notes:

The book features a female serial killer who also works as a food critic.

It is written in the form of a memoir from the killer's perspective.

The protagonist has a complex relationship with food, intertwining culinary excellence and cannibalism.

The writing style is often described as lush, poetic, and sophisticated.

Dorothy, the main character, embraces her dark side, showing a blend of horror and humor.

Many readers find the protagonist relatable, despite her horrific actions.

Themes of femininity and societal expectations are explored throughout the novel.

The story contains graphic violence and sexual content, triggering discussions about morality and ethics.

There's a notable contrast between beautiful descriptions of food and cold accounts of murder.

The author spent eight years crafting this novel, emphasizing her dedication to storytelling.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers for A Certain Hunger include graphic violence, murder, cannibalism, and sexual assault.

From The Publisher:

One of Vanity Fair 's Books That Will Get You Through This Winter

"One of the most uniquely fun and campily gory books in my recent memory... A Certain Hunger has the voice of a hard-boiled detective novel, as if metaphor-happy Raymond Chandler handed the reins over to the sexed-up femme fatale and really let her fly." - The New York Times

Food critic Dorothy Daniels loves what she does. Discerning, meticulous, and very, very smart, Dorothy's clear mastery of the culinary arts make it likely that she could, on any given night, whip up a more inspired dish than any one of the chefs she writes about. Dorothy loves sex as much as she loves food, and while she has struggled to find a long-term partner that can keep up with her, she makes the best of her single life, frequently traveling from Manhattan to Italy for a taste of both.

But there is something within Dorothy that's different from everyone else, and having suppressed it long enough, she starts to embrace what makes Dorothy uniquely, terrifyingly herself. Recounting her life from a seemingly idyllic farm-to-table childhood, the heights of her career, to the moment she plunges an ice pick into a man's neck on Fire Island, Dorothy Daniels show us what happens when a woman finally embraces her superiority.

A satire of early foodieism, a critique of how gender is defined, and a showcase of virtuoso storytelling, Chelsea G. Summers' A Certain Hunger introduces us to the food world's most charming psychopath and an exciting new voice in fiction.

Ratings (36)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (11)
Liked It (10)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (144):

Read It (34)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (96)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (10)

1 comment(s)

eboods

Incredible

3 months

Beautifully written!

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