The Epicure by H.R. Howland

262 Pages published by Berkley

Genre: Horror and general ickyness

ISBN 042520717x

Where did I find it? a friends of the library book sale.  Where can you find it? you can have my copy, or you can find it on Amazon or at your local public library-if not, ask if they can interlibrary loan it for you - if you're still interested after my review.

Why did I pick it up? It has a great cover. 

Let me start with a little history/philosophy… Epicureanism is a philosophy that believes in having pleasure to satisfy desires and then abstaining from pleasure for a time.  There is more to it than that… but those are the basics as applies to this book.  If you would like to know more click here.

Many of us know and love the cooking website www.epicurious.com.  That has absolutely nothing to with this book; so if you read the book, try not to think about this when next you visit the website.

So, there’s this doctor and he is part of a special society; The Epicurean Society and they meet once a year to sample new cuisine with one special ingredient-human meat.  The main course is to be a woman between the ages of (and this is from memory, and I could be wrong) 22 and 32 and fit-not too much fat but with just enough.  The host this year is Dr. Sykes, he finds his Epicurean special guest and kidnaps her, including details on how he prepares the feast. 

We also meet 6-year-old Suzie, who has a special relationship with Saint Jude.  He talks to her through a statue at her church and shows her visions of what Dr. Sykes is doing through her Miss Becky doll and the Miss Becky  and Friends television show.  Saint Jude tells Suzie that she has to stop the Bad Doctor.  Suzie’s only help is Jessie, her babysitter and future guardian-her mom has terminal cancer.  Jessie also happens to work with Dr. Sykes.

Each host of the Epicurean Society dinner is charged with keeping a journal of their journey and preparations.  Only a couple of these are shared, the first is extremely graphic in description and the other is vague.  Some parts of this book are really graphic and very gross.  I usually read while eating my lunch-this is not a good book to read while eating.

I read a lot of icky death mysteries type books and love them.  This is one of the most disgusting books I have ever read… and it is supposed to be… Howland wants to turn our stomachs and he does a wonderful job at it.  I found myself telling more people about this book than any other.  I usually start with something like, “this book makes me want to be a vegetarian.”  It is a well written story and I really liked the characters; they are believable - all have flaws with the exception of Suzie because she's six and acts six; Dr. Sykes could be a real person.  I liked this book, but I will not read it again.

Who would I give this book to? Anyone over the age of 17 who understands that this book is fiction and that the author is not advocating the eating of human flesh –Ick- and who like horror.   I would give this to my brother who rides to work with me and has heard me talk about this book a lot and to my brother-in-law who will read just about anything, has a great sense of humor and will probably cringe in all the same places I did.  Who would I not give it to? Anyone under the age of 17-no matter how much they like horror, vegetarians and people with soft hearts.  I also wouldn’t give it to anyone I think would get the wrong idea about The Society.  It goes against everything good and right in the world to cook and eat another person.

And last but not least... Ick.