Customer Reviews

Milk, Sulphate, and Alby Starvation

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I have read nearly ever Martin Millar book he's put to paper, and not a single one has disappointed me yet. I was so excited to find out some of his books are being re-released after being out of print for years. I had to track down my copy of Milk Sulphate, and Alby Starvation through expensive used sellers. I am always shocked to find these books are not more widely known.

The story of Alby Starvation is worth the buy, you'll finish it in a day if you start. It's the tale of allergies, hitmen, hamsters, drugs, and comics, all told with an honest candor, while completely throwing you for a loop. It's ridiculous, it's awesome, it makes you think, and it makes you laugh. I recommend all of his books. Start here or pick up the Good Fairies of New York, or Suzy, Led Zepplin and Me.....among others and take a trip

Anything goes in the demented imaginings of Martin Millar. Finally receiving some mainstream success from the delightful "Wolf Girl" saga, I was eager to check into his back catalogue of titles. "Milk, Sulphate, and Alby Starvation," first released in Britain in 1987, is quintessential Millar. A novella of bizarre genius, "Milk" contains all the earmarks that Millar would come to perfect--dozens of interconnected characters, rambling internal monologues, quick cut editing between stories, overlapping time frames, and enough wacky mayhem to propel several novels.

Our protagonist, Alby, is a low level drug dealer whose best friend is a hamster. Alby, an unprepossessing loser who lives for comics, achieved some notoriety when exposing a major milk allergy epidemic. Now Alby lives in fear (and hypochondria) as a hit has been ordered on his life. With Milk Board assassins, warring video gamers, a Burmese martial artists, an enigmatic Asian businessman, a put-upon store manager, and a rogue professor (among dozens of other characters)--Millar juggles countless personalities in this erratic and eccentric tale. Ultimately, the individual components are fascinating and funny--but I'm not entirely sure there is a cohesion to the various plot threads.

At times riotously funny, "Alby" is a comedic journey that will keep you entranced. You can finish the brief volume in one sitting, and you might decide to do that. If nothing else, Millar has crafted a tale that will likely propel you forward to see what other bizarre antics he gets up to. Funny, offbeat and entertaining--that's a pretty effective threesome. Slight, but "Milk, Sulphate and Alby Starvation" hints at greater rewards as Millar's oeuvre progresses. KGHarris, 11/10.

so this is my second millar book, and now i'm on a quest to find his other titles at my library.

the main character of the book is a total dork...but that's why i like him. the dude's got this pet hamster and his beloved comic book collection, and he's constantly living in a world of paranoia. But then, maybe he should be since he's got some plant-loving, people-hating assassin after him. he's like some weird version of kramer (off seinfeld)...except he sells drugs...i mean, i can totally picture kramer saying "well, i'm off milk!" and slamming down his glass on jerry's counter.

but the book's even better cuz there's an entire cast of characters who are so completely quirky, that you cant help but laugh just a bit. my favorite is some dude named Wu, who practices meditation while at home so he'll be in some sort of zen-like state when he plays video games at the aracde.

and the book reads so fast, that even if you don't like it, you'll be finished with it before you can stop yourself.