Mother for Dinner

Shalom Auslander

16 September 2021
9781529052091
272 pages

Synopsis

SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021

‘Outrageous satire . . . extremely funny, weirdly touching’ – Guardian

‘A work of genius’ – Scotsman
‘Close-to-the-knuckle farce with a big beating heart’ – Daily Mail

This is the story of an unusual family. Though they are nothing like yours, you will recognize them. They are the last Cannibal-Americans. And they have a problem.

When their mother dies, twelve children gather to dispose of the body in the traditional manner . . . by eating it. But can they follow the ancient rituals of consumption? Is their unique cultural heritage worth preserving if it's this gross? And what about dietary requirements - one of them is vegan. Surely it can't be this hard to do the right thing?

Mother for Dinner is a dark comedy about modern life and its many difficulties.

Bad taste has a purpose in this outrageous satire . . . grotesque, extremely funny, weirdly touching and acute
Daring, provocative and controversial . . . the outrageous nature of the comedy is done perfectly . . . This is a work of genius
I loved [it] . . . I devoured it in one sitting . . . I recommend you dig in