A first-class African safari goes awry in myriad ways in Sedlack's dark, edgy tragicomedy of a debut, which was shortlisted for the 2002 Commonwealth Prize. Richard, the petulant, over-sexed, drug-addled 19-year-old son of Ted and Janet Clark, narrates the riotous journey via meticulously crafted and occasionally malicious journal entries ("Piss, gloom and the fuck of it all" begins an early one). Richard is full of self-loathing, much of it inspired by his disfiguring harelip; he can't stand his parents either, whom he sees as insipid examples of all that's wrong with the world. The elder Clarks have problems of their own: wealthy Ted is an alcoholic bully who can't cope when things go awry, while depressed and anxious Janet refuses medication and, as the trip continues, slips deeper into insanity. Complementing this hapless trio is Gabriel, their driver, who attempts to help the Clarks find peace with the world by applying a little African mysticism, much of which backfires. Richard relates their various adventures in hotels and safari lodges with an alienated but compelling wit-and a sharp honesty, too, as he slowly reveals devastating truths, not only about himself and his parents, but also about the deadly result of programmed expectations. This biting and sometimes disturbing novel is a captivating debut. Its political incorrectness and occasional sophomoric flights of philosophical fantasy will alienate some, but Richard's voice is brilliantly keen and winning, and he chronicles wild experiences and dysfunctional behaviors with irresistible verve.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Written as a journal, this novel is narrated by the impetuous Richard Clark, a 19-year-old hell raiser on safari with his dysfunctional parents. With a "pharmacopia" of illicit drugs tucked neatly into his mother's suitcase, Richard and his family arrive safely in Nairobi to begin the first leg of their journey. Written furiously in his journal between marijuana joints and hits of hash oil, Richard's chronicle quickly becomes a dark comedy crafted around sex, right-wing opinions, and his twisted relationship with Mom and Dad. Mrs. Clark is susceptible to anxiety attacks, and, much to the chagrin of Mr. Clark, she is predicting their imminent demise in an animal mauling--or perhaps the natives will tear them from the van and pull them to shreds. Mr. Clark is biting his tongue, trying not to wring his wife's neck, which is beginning to look more appealing as her phobias multiply. Young Richard may seem hopelessly crass, but readers will intuit that somewhere in the mire, there exists a sensitive young man waiting to be redeemed by the past. Elsa Gaztambide
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