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Crooked Little Vein

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Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis follows down-at-heel PI Mike McGill on a quest through the underbelly of America to locate a secret second Constitution. The novel is described as a dark, viciously funny journey filled with shocking and bizarre encounters, from political figures to peculiar individuals. The plot is wrapped up neatly by Ellis, with a narrative that is both violent and humorous, exploring themes of alternative morality and the darker aspects of American society.

Characters:

The characters are exaggerated embodiments of societal extremes, with the protagonist experiencing bizarre, surreal situations throughout his journey.

Writing/Prose:

Ellis employs a blunt, fast-paced writing style filled with dark humor and sharp societal observations.

Plot/Storyline:

The book features a down-and-out private investigator on a madcap quest to retrieve a lost, alternate U.S. Constitution, navigating through bizarre and outrageous events.

Setting:

The setting spans across a surreal and gritty version of America, exploring its bizarre cultural underbelly.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast-paced and relentless, propelling the reader through a series of bizarre and shocking events without slowing down.
I opened my eyes to see the rat taking a piss in my coffee mug. It was a huge brown bastard; had a body like a turd with legs and beady black eyes full of secret rat knowledge. Making a smug huffing s...

Notes:

Warren Ellis is known for being a provocative writer and blogger with a strong reputation in the comic book industry since 1994.
His novel Crooked Little Vein was released as his debut prose work in 2007.
The story revolves around Mike McGill, a private investigator who attracts bizarre situations and characters, earning him the nickname 'shit magnet.'
McGill is hired by a drug-addicted White House Chief of Staff to find a secret second U.S. Constitution that is said to be bound in the skin of an alien.
The book is based on true stories and cultural oddities encountered by Ellis through his web presence and fan interactions.
Ellis's writing combines elements of dark humor, bizarre sexual situations, and social commentary, making it a form of gonzo literature.
The narrative starts with a shocking scene where McGill wakes up to find a rat pissing in his coffee, showcasing the book's edgy tone.
The plot includes outlandish concepts like Godzilla-themed sexual scenarios and extreme fetishes, pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
The novel is considered divisive, as some readers find it hilarious and clever while others view it as tasteless and juvenile.
Ellis's style in this book has drawn comparisons to the works of transgressive authors such as Chuck Palahniuk and Richard Kadrey.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include graphic descriptions of sexual acts, drug abuse, violence, and disturbing themes related to human behavior.

Has Romance?

While there is a romantic element present between the protagonist and Trix, it appears to be more of a subplot amid the chaos rather than a central focus.

From The Publisher:

Burned-out private dick Michael McGill needs to jump-start his career. What he gets instead is a cattle prod to the crotch. The president's heroin-addicted chief of staff wants McGill to find the Constitution-the real one the Founding Fathers secretly devised for the time of gravest crisis. And with God, civility, and Mom's homemade apple pie already dead or dying, that time is now. But McGill has a talent for stumbling into every imaginable depravity-and this case is driving him even deeper into America's darkest, dankest underbelly, toward obscenities that boggle even his mind.

Ratings (4)

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Reader Stats (8):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (3)
Not Interested (1)
 
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