STOPMOUTH AND HIS family know of no other life than the daily battle to survive. To live, they must hunt rival species, or negotiate flesh-trade with those who crave meat of the freshest human kind. It is a savage, desperate existence. And for Stopmouth, considered slowwitted hunt-fodder by his tribe, the future looks especially bleak. But then, on the day he is callously betrayed by his brother, a strange and beautiful woman falls from the sky. It is a moment that will change his destiny, and that of all humanity, forever. With echoes of Tarzan, Conan the Barbarian, and The Truman Show, Peadar Ó Guilín’s debut is an action—and idea-packed—blockbuster that will challenge your perceptions of humanity and leave you hungry for more.
The Inferior
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up—In this epic story of survival, betrayal, and community, the fittest humans are prized as hunters and for taking care of the Tribe, while those with a number of marks on their Tally sticks, or otherwise deemed useless, are traded for food with other tribes in the region. Stopmouth, a "savage" human with a stutter, is healed by a strange visitor from the Roof following a hunting accident. He and Indrani develop a bond that is scorned by the rest of the Tribe, but is one that will see them through some challenging times as they set out on a journey to try to return Indrani to whence she came. This well-paced fantasy/science fiction blend perfectly introduces community conflict at a base level. Stopmouth and his brother are constantly at odds over their roles in the family and their individual ambition. Power and influence are accepted and controlled in very different ways by these main characters and, from the very first chapters, readers can see that lies and deceit are strong forces on the characters. There are numerous situations that could be used to supplement classroom discussion on moral and ethical behavior. Easy to follow and intriguing at every turn, The Inferior will hold readers from page to page, chapter to chapter, to the very end.—Dylan Thomarie, Johnstown High School, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
EADAR Ó GUILÍN has been writing curious stories for as long as he can remember. One of his school reports claimed that he had "a talent for communication, which he abuse[d]." Since then, he has written plays, published short stories, and performed as a standup comedian. This is his first book for children.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I loved it.
This is Peadar's first novel, but I've admired his short stories for a long time. They stick in my memory them for years.
Although the novel's SF, it begins like standard fantasy dystopia, with the protagonist, Stopmouth running for his life, chased by intelligent animals who want to eat him. Then he turns back to help his brother, who escapes, leaving Stopmouth in mortal danger. When Stopmouth finally makes it home, he finds that his brother has grabbed all the credit.
Ó Guilín keeps up this pace all the way, with the surpises jumping out at you like marauding Bloodskins.
Stopmouth is my kind of hero. He doesn't think he's special - just the reverse - because he has a stutter and a charismatic older brother. But he's not stupid, and he has one plausible talent - he runs fast. He has to win through by his own efforts, so I cared. The other main characters are distinct and plausible too, from the brutal Crunchfist to the enigmatic Varaha.
It turns out that in Stopmouth's world there is no plant food. Apart from the insects, there are many intelligent species, and everything hunts everything else for survival. At this point I started thinking, "Hang, on, this ecosystem doesn't work," but this is indeed SF, and Stopmouth's world isn't what he (and we) thought at all. The truth is much nastier than that.
My only real problem with this novel is that it's the first of a trilogy, and I'm going to have to wait far too long for the next installment. No wonder it's coming out in eight (count 'em!) languages.
This is Peadar's first novel, but I've admired his short stories for a long time. They stick in my memory them for years.
Although the novel's SF, it begins like standard fantasy dystopia, with the protagonist, Stopmouth running for his life, chased by intelligent animals who want to eat him. Then he turns back to help his brother, who escapes, leaving Stopmouth in mortal danger. When Stopmouth finally makes it home, he finds that his brother has grabbed all the credit.
Ó Guilín keeps up this pace all the way, with the surpises jumping out at you like marauding Bloodskins.
Stopmouth is my kind of hero. He doesn't think he's special - just the reverse - because he has a stutter and a charismatic older brother. But he's not stupid, and he has one plausible talent - he runs fast. He has to win through by his own efforts, so I cared. The other main characters are distinct and plausible too, from the brutal Crunchfist to the enigmatic Varaha.
It turns out that in Stopmouth's world there is no plant food. Apart from the insects, there are many intelligent species, and everything hunts everything else for survival. At this point I started thinking, "Hang, on, this ecosystem doesn't work," but this is indeed SF, and Stopmouth's world isn't what he (and we) thought at all. The truth is much nastier than that.
My only real problem with this novel is that it's the first of a trilogy, and I'm going to have to wait far too long for the next installment. No wonder it's coming out in eight (count 'em!) languages.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Karusichan
Format:Hardcover
"And ten heartbeats past, you grabbed a piece of flesh out of my hands. Didn't you like the taste? Because if you can be a savage, maybe I could be civilized? It's possible, isn't it?"
Stopmouth is a young man in a world where humans live solely by hunting and consuming flesh. He is a hunter blessed with incredible speed, which is the only thing that saves him on a daily basis. Stopmouth, considered stupid by his tribe due to a stutter that impedes his speech, must prove himself constantly in order to survive. In his world when people outlive there usefulness they volunteer for flesh trades between the other beasts, because some beasts prefer their flesh still living. Stopmouth will be encouraged to volunteer if he ever fails.
One day Stopmouth's older brother, Wallbreaker, betrays him on a hunt. Thinking him dead Wallbreaker leaves Stopmouth behind to save his own neck. This cowardly act forms a gap between the two brothers that is only widened further when Wallbreaker takes all the credit for himself and uses that to buy himself a bride; a young woman named Mossheart, who Stopmouth has always had feelings for.
There are other things going on in this world. For one thing, there are people who watch over the tribes. Not gods, surely, but real people, as evidenced when a woman named Indrani falls from the sky. This strange and beautiful woman fuels desires in Stopmouth's heart that Mossheart never did. When Stopmouth breaks his legs and knows that he is on the volunteer list Indrani saves his life by splinting his legs and preventing the elders from taking him. Thus begins a friendship that will blossom throughout the course of the book, even though Stopmouth knows nothing of this strange woman who fell from the sky, or what that even means in the grand scheme of things. And even though his brother has designs to make her his in an endeavor to become the greatest warrior the ancestors have ever boasted.
"Are you truly human?" Stopmouth asked. He hoped she'd open her eyes and look at him. Another part of him wanted her to keep them closed so he could watch her without making her angry.
They stayed closed.
"I'm human," she muttered. "As human as you are, anyway."
"What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.
She lifted her head. "None of your men have hair on their faces. You live on a diet of pure meat, most of it non-human. Your women never die in childbirth. You rarely get sick, any of you. And all of a sudden I'm the one who's not human?"
O'Guilin's first installment in the trilogy is a marvel. A... Marvel... plain and simple. It's one of those rare books that comes along that has such depth to it that the reader gets instantly overwhelmed and transported. It reminds me of many things that I love... "Watership Down", "Lord of the Flies", "Tarzan"... it echoes many things I adore. It also speaks to me of Frank Frazetta paintings and of a world that blends complicated Ethical dilemmas with a sensuous carnality. Do not belittle O'Guilin's own originality though, because trust me this book oozes original thought and raw, unadulterated talent. O'Guilin has such skill at creating a believable and real world that draws you in. Added to this is O'Guilin's wonderful ability to write such dynamic and interesting characters that the reader actually gives a damn about. This is a rare thing as many writer's don't really seem to be able to pull all of these elements together, particularly with such a concept as O'Guilin has established. This world, in all of it's brutality, is complex and surreal. Watching the humans go out again and again to face their doom inspires the reader and leaves them with an intense empty-stomach feeling with every campaign. I would love to say that it's jaw dropping, but in honour of O'Guilin I would prefer to call it eye popping, and you will just have to trust me on that. Fans of action novels will thrill in the details that O'Guilin shares, because there's enough bloodshed to make any gore enthusiast squirm. But there is a lot of heart and soul to be found in the relationships between the characters that any softhearted reader will find themselves tearing up, as I did. Boys will love it, girls (like me) will love it... It is not for the faint of heart. But it's for readers who like having their hearts stopped.
Brilliant. Utterly. I await the next book in the series with heightened enthusiasm.
"Your blood has come back to me," He whispered, "and so will you."
Bring me more blood, O'Guilin. My soul demands it.
Stopmouth is a young man in a world where humans live solely by hunting and consuming flesh. He is a hunter blessed with incredible speed, which is the only thing that saves him on a daily basis. Stopmouth, considered stupid by his tribe due to a stutter that impedes his speech, must prove himself constantly in order to survive. In his world when people outlive there usefulness they volunteer for flesh trades between the other beasts, because some beasts prefer their flesh still living. Stopmouth will be encouraged to volunteer if he ever fails.
One day Stopmouth's older brother, Wallbreaker, betrays him on a hunt. Thinking him dead Wallbreaker leaves Stopmouth behind to save his own neck. This cowardly act forms a gap between the two brothers that is only widened further when Wallbreaker takes all the credit for himself and uses that to buy himself a bride; a young woman named Mossheart, who Stopmouth has always had feelings for.
There are other things going on in this world. For one thing, there are people who watch over the tribes. Not gods, surely, but real people, as evidenced when a woman named Indrani falls from the sky. This strange and beautiful woman fuels desires in Stopmouth's heart that Mossheart never did. When Stopmouth breaks his legs and knows that he is on the volunteer list Indrani saves his life by splinting his legs and preventing the elders from taking him. Thus begins a friendship that will blossom throughout the course of the book, even though Stopmouth knows nothing of this strange woman who fell from the sky, or what that even means in the grand scheme of things. And even though his brother has designs to make her his in an endeavor to become the greatest warrior the ancestors have ever boasted.
"Are you truly human?" Stopmouth asked. He hoped she'd open her eyes and look at him. Another part of him wanted her to keep them closed so he could watch her without making her angry.
They stayed closed.
"I'm human," she muttered. "As human as you are, anyway."
"What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.
She lifted her head. "None of your men have hair on their faces. You live on a diet of pure meat, most of it non-human. Your women never die in childbirth. You rarely get sick, any of you. And all of a sudden I'm the one who's not human?"
O'Guilin's first installment in the trilogy is a marvel. A... Marvel... plain and simple. It's one of those rare books that comes along that has such depth to it that the reader gets instantly overwhelmed and transported. It reminds me of many things that I love... "Watership Down", "Lord of the Flies", "Tarzan"... it echoes many things I adore. It also speaks to me of Frank Frazetta paintings and of a world that blends complicated Ethical dilemmas with a sensuous carnality. Do not belittle O'Guilin's own originality though, because trust me this book oozes original thought and raw, unadulterated talent. O'Guilin has such skill at creating a believable and real world that draws you in. Added to this is O'Guilin's wonderful ability to write such dynamic and interesting characters that the reader actually gives a damn about. This is a rare thing as many writer's don't really seem to be able to pull all of these elements together, particularly with such a concept as O'Guilin has established. This world, in all of it's brutality, is complex and surreal. Watching the humans go out again and again to face their doom inspires the reader and leaves them with an intense empty-stomach feeling with every campaign. I would love to say that it's jaw dropping, but in honour of O'Guilin I would prefer to call it eye popping, and you will just have to trust me on that. Fans of action novels will thrill in the details that O'Guilin shares, because there's enough bloodshed to make any gore enthusiast squirm. But there is a lot of heart and soul to be found in the relationships between the characters that any softhearted reader will find themselves tearing up, as I did. Boys will love it, girls (like me) will love it... It is not for the faint of heart. But it's for readers who like having their hearts stopped.
Brilliant. Utterly. I await the next book in the series with heightened enthusiasm.
"Your blood has come back to me," He whispered, "and so will you."
Bring me more blood, O'Guilin. My soul demands it.
By Nicole
Format:Hardcover
I don't remember why it started, but I needed to read a YA book involving cannibalism. It had something to do with a conversation on Twitter, I remember, but the details are fuzzy. Anyway, this was the only book we could find. I was broke at the time, so I didn't buy it. It went on my wish list.
Wrapping paper? $1. Book? $5. Look on a mother's face when her daughter thanks her for buying the YA book on cannibalism that she's been craving? Priceless.
Guilín wrote an amazingly well crafted novel that far exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be interesting, yes, and imaginative, but I did not expect a book that would leave me hungering (haha!) for more.
Stopmouth was the most interesting out of all of them! However, my favorite character wasn't Stopmouth. I do have a soft spot in my heart for Rockface; he's just adorable and dedicated and goofy.
The world itself was fantastically created. I'm hoping we get to see more of the Roof in the sequel, and maybe see a little more character development for Mossheart. (A small character, yes, but when we were first introduced to her I had hoped that she'd develop into a more interesting character.)
I'd write a longer review, but frankly, you understand that I liked it - and I'm sick while setting this up, and who wants to think too hard while you're sick!?
Wrapping paper? $1. Book? $5. Look on a mother's face when her daughter thanks her for buying the YA book on cannibalism that she's been craving? Priceless.
Guilín wrote an amazingly well crafted novel that far exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be interesting, yes, and imaginative, but I did not expect a book that would leave me hungering (haha!) for more.
Stopmouth was the most interesting out of all of them! However, my favorite character wasn't Stopmouth. I do have a soft spot in my heart for Rockface; he's just adorable and dedicated and goofy.
The world itself was fantastically created. I'm hoping we get to see more of the Roof in the sequel, and maybe see a little more character development for Mossheart. (A small character, yes, but when we were first introduced to her I had hoped that she'd develop into a more interesting character.)
I'd write a longer review, but frankly, you understand that I liked it - and I'm sick while setting this up, and who wants to think too hard while you're sick!?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting, and Unusual
Stopmouth is an unlikely hero - he stammers and lives under the protection of his high status and brave brother. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Sir Furboy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really fun.
I just wanted to add my positive review to the others here. It's shame that this book hasn't attracted as much attention as other less well written books. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Stacy Garvey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seriously, I can't believe the Nobel Prize Commitee overlooked this...
I know the header of this review sounds like hyperbole, but when you've read The Inferior, I'm sure you'll agree it deserves that degree of recognition and more. Read more
Published on February 6, 2011 by Stacy K.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Inferior
The Inferior, by Peadar O'Guilin
Stopmouth is a human with speaking difficulty. Because of this difficulty he was almost "volunteered" (i.e. Read more
Stopmouth is a human with speaking difficulty. Because of this difficulty he was almost "volunteered" (i.e. Read more
Published on December 21, 2010 by Richard Theobald
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never thought I'd like a book about cannibals
Amazing, amazing, and amazing. Could not get enough of the book! Was very hesitant to read it in the first place. (This is coming from a 15 year old girl. Read more
Published on August 24, 2010 by MediocreKaren
4.0 out of 5 stars
Echoes of Truman and Tarzan
When I first picked up O Guilin's book I wasn't expecting much; a cheap, stone-age based book where neandrathals hunt mammoths maybe. Read more
Published on January 26, 2010 by Robin Thames
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Stopmouth isn't the most respected hunter in the village, but he is the fastest. His speed makes him a valuable member of any hunting team because every team must come back with... Read more
Published on August 12, 2009 by TeensReadToo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gloriously gruesome
Seems at first more of a fantasy novel than science fiction, but that changes towards the end to give certain elements a more rational but still sci-fi explanation. Read more
Published on March 1, 2009 by R. Gibney
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent, fresh story
I loved this story. Not the kind of thing I usually read, but once I'd begun I couldn't put it down. Read more
Published on July 30, 2008 by Tracylea Byford
5.0 out of 5 stars
this review contains some minor spoilers
Stopmouth is the younger brother in a family that faces daily struggles to survive. They are living in a tumbledown city on a world where the only thing to eat is their fellow... Read more
Published on July 25, 2008 by duchess
