The Glutton is the story of a naive boy with a peculiar talent and an insatiable appetite, set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. A hungry boy in a hungry time in a deeply unequal country. The contemporary parallels are there to be drawn without ever being forced. There are some unforgettable characters, loveable (and horrible) rogues, tragic events and deeply genuine feeling. What makes the story so effective and interesting is Blakemore’s sense of history as both familiar and strange. This, coupled with her delightful, playful, peculiar language has made her become, over the course of just two novels, one of my must-read authors.

This was incredible! The subject matter was just so interesting that I had to pick it up, and thankfully Blakemore is an excellent writer. The writing is beautiful and grotesque. I struggled between reading it slowly to take in the beautiful sentences (and because I didn't want it to end), and wanting to read as much as possible because I couldn't put it down. Anyone who likes Moshfegh or the novel 'Perfume' should definitely give this a go. Tarare is probably one of the best and most memorable characters I've read in a long time. Blakemore handled every aspect brilliantly, and really shows how good historical fiction can be.

In the skilled hands of A.K. Blakemore the story of Tarare, a boy with endless appetite, comes to vivid, gory life. The Glutton takes us back to the tumultuous time of the French revolution where we meet sweet Tarare, a simple peasant boy who could not foresee the life that awaits him as a novelty act. This novel is based on a real person and the events of his incredible life. A strange subject, to be sure, but one that gripped me entirely as this world, and the turns of fate dealt to Tarare, unfolded before me. What would you do if you had a ravenous appetite that could not be sated? I doubt anyone would think to make a living by performing bazaar acts of ingesting an array of objects and creatures but that is what happened. Odd, troubling but fascinating, in turns, I felt a magnetic pull to Tarare and his affliction which grew wilder and stranger as the story progressed. Having been impressed by two novels penned by this marvel of an author, she has added her name to my list of must read writers. The stunning quality of writing had much to do with transforming what might be repulsive into an addiction for the reader. Manningtree Witches had the same elemental pull by dropping the reader into the different time and place allowing the senses to blossom with her words. Not sure I would have chosen to be so sense-aware with Tarare, though, as it clearly was a smelly, disgusting time for all in close proximity, but, one I would not have missed for the world. An excellent, though strange, novel.

What an astonishing book. I was caught up by the outstanding use of words, the vocabulary, words I recognised but hadn't seen in a while and words I didn't know and had to look up. The Glutton is drenched in delicious language - a feast for anyone who loves obscure and evocative words and the way they are put together, The descriptions are beautiful, mesmerising, brilliant but alongside that beauty is horror and disgust and a sordidness reminiscent of Huymans' A Rebours and La Bas, and Suskind's Perfume. Despite the sordidness and ultimate evil of the main character, Tarare, one cannot help but feel sorry for him. Abused, betrayed and exploited by those around him, Tarare eats to satisfy a need, a gaping hole that he will never ever fill. Ultimately, this is a book about love, and its lack. The Glutton is a treat to read and I am so grateful it came my way.

The Glutton Is one of the most extraordinary books I've read. It's so strange but compassionate. I was encouraged to find out more- the true background- of Terrare's life. The book brought him to life. An excellent, thought provoking read.