Customer Reviews

Rawhead and Bloody Bones & Elusive Plato

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is much better than what the reviewer below claims. It is very dark, but actually it is made of two novellas, which are quite different in tone, and maybe that is what seems so confusing. The first novella is a comedy; the second is very surreal. But both are clever. They do remind me of Calvino, and also of Michael Moorcock. The ideas in these novellas are entirely original, and the plots are difficult, but everything comes together in the end in a most unexpected way. The language is rich and full of wordgames. I rate this book highly, but it is not for people who don't like comedy and horror mixed together.

Chaud Melle, a location in Hughes' work, is clearly the author himself or a close friend, and so should be ignored. The other review is correct--the book is horrible. It contains none of Hughes' signatures. It certainly does not come close to Calvino or Pavic in any way. Avoid, Avoid, Avoid!

Rhys Hughes is a phenomenal new talent on the world-stage of literature. This book is typical of his work: crammed with ideas, complex plots and dark comedy. His idea, plots and language are all stunning, and the way he juggles so many different elements all at once is a breathtaking feat. He resembles Italo Calvino or Milorad Pavic for the width of his imagination.

Unfortunately, this book is not representative of Hughes normal work. It is full of coincidence, poorly conceived internal logic, and pathetic sexual congress. I can't recommend it although I like much else by the author.