Wednesday 25 September 2013

Book Review: The Savages by Matt Whyman

Vegetarianism and Cannibalism are basically interchangeable. Just ask the Fannibals.

They'd love to have you for dinner . . .

Sasha Savage is in love with Jack - a handsome, charming ... vegetarian. Which wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that Sasha's family are very much 'carnivorous'. Behind the family facade all is not as it seems. Sasha's father rules his clan with an iron fist and her mother's culinary skills are getting more adventurous by the day. When a too-curious private detective starts to dig for truths, the tight-knit family starts to unravel - as does their sinister taste in human beings . . .


The Savages explores the relationship between family and food. The Savages are petty normal family, well maybe except for being a cannibals and having a possible future serial killer. So Titus, is the father and head of the family. He thinks that the family's unique diet is what bonds them, which is why Sasha is bit concern to tell him that she went vegetarian, a challenge set by her current and first Boyfriend Jack.

Titus is a ruthless business man and is expected of dodgie business practices cause his next prey (in business) to hire a private investigator, Venon English, to find evidence of such in attempt to save their company. Anyway, Venon becomes convince that the Savages had something to do with the death of a model, leading him to become a tiny bit of obsessed with finding the "Truth".

Whyman has really done a good job of creating a realistic family. A mother, lying about Money; a father having seconded thoughts about his career; a slightly rebelist teenager and slightly socialpathic brother. Maybe he just autistic, doesn't understand why anyone outside of his family matters. But then again he does almost kill his sister.

Interestingly, there is sort of comparison of cannibalism and veganism. I suppose in away there both extreme views. Cannibalism is everything fair game, including your fellow man while veganism is not touching anything that came from animal (I always wonder if vegans breast feed their children as that would be something from an animal). I personally don't like either, as I believe it best to use our canines but not each other. Okay, I'm going to just say that I might reading a little deep, but that my right as reader. It just makes me think that's all.

The vegans ain't very well portrayed (though vegetarian get off about the same as the cannibals). What I mean is that two vegans in this book ain't very likable. You got Jack, Sasha's boyfriend whose a douche. He only plans to stay with Sasha till she sleeps with him and then sorts of cheats on her (he tries but never gets that far). Then there Amanda who want to (get other people to) actually kill meat eaters. Though, I've never really liked vegans (well, the stereotype or idea) as they remind me of PETA who I hate (but that is topic for another post). Sasha is the non-annoying type of vegetarian as it about choice. The books does make you reflect on diet. I think that we should have more vegetable based diets, like not every meal needs meat in it, but still meat is good for you. Balanced diets are important.

I liked the ending, even if it is bit unrealisic. It was satisfying wrap up.

Overall, I gave it 5/5 stars for Psycho Vegans. Highly recommend to anyone, with the switching narration I think it should appeal almost anyone.

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