Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this ARC!

The story is about The Great Tarare through a deathbed confession. I really enjoyed Blakemore’s style of writing, it was unique and weaves together Tarare’s story and transformation.

The Glutton is set during the French Revolution, this allowed for Blakemore to expand and relay thoughts on humanity, depravity, poverty, and morality. This setting makes for a dark book about the troubles during the French Revolution, imagining the horrific truths. It is both raw and gruesome and definitely not for the faint of heart.

Overall, Blakemore writes an intriguing, compelling, and dark novel about the French Revolution. I would recommend it to historical fiction fans, especially if you like dark fiction.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #Granta books for granting me access to this arc of #TheGlutton in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a story this is. Blakemore deftly tells the story of The Great Tarare through a deathbed confession. We view the child/teen before he becomes the legend, provoking so much compassion for this child and his awful predicament as a polyphagic. Set during the French Revolution, which enables the author scope to expand on the human condition, depravity, humanity, poverty, and morality.

The Glutton is a piece of historical fiction about the life of a famous oddity of 18th century France: Tarare, the Glutton of Lyon.

I had heard of Tarare before and was interested in what A.K Blakemore would make of his life. However, this book is a pretty straightforward historical fiction, taking the known facts of Tarare’s life and weaving them around a pretty standard story. Structurally, the novel is told in a flashback as the dying Tarare tells his life story to a nun in hospital, but I’m not sure what exactly this adds to the book. The nun isn’t a hugely compelling character.

In the end, I was left not really understanding what Blakemore had found compelling about Tarare and his life. There were some interesting descriptions and changes of perspective (I’m thinking particularly of the moment where Tarare eats a rat and the perspective shifts to the rat’s eye view) but these were few and far between.

A perfectly fine book, but one for big historical fiction lovers I think.

Thank-you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Glutton, much like Blakemore's previous, debut, novel, The Manningtree Witches is a fictional version of real life events. In this case a French showman and soldier named Tarare who was known for his huge appetite, constantly hungry, he left home because his parent's couldn't afford to feed him, and ending up eventually joining the French Revolutionary Army.

The book follows much the same story, beginning with Tarare's birth and his subsequent early life with his mother; until an unpleasant event sees him waiting to be found in a field by a gang of prostitutes and thieves who take him in and eventually discover his talent for being a bottomless pit, where upon they present him as a stage performer who can eat anything, and indeed he does - all described in rich, lurid detail. The story itself is told from the perspective of a sick and ailing Tarare himself, to a nun who is set to watch over him. This device allows us to get a glimpse of the older Tarare balanced with the travails of the younger - that tale forming a particularly dark picaresque.

And dark the book is, the setting, against the backdrop of the troubles and the revolution makes for a colourful background, but there is very little light in the book, the language is rough and coarse, as are the people and there are very few likable or indeed appealing characters (excepting perhaps Tarare himself who it is hard not to feel sorry for) but this does not make for a bad book, only a realistic one. It is off set by Blakemore's beautiful prose, something that was also on show in 'The Manningtree Witches' she has a talent for describing the natural, and the lonely sad parts of Tarare's journey, the sections where he is contemplating life and nature are often the richest,

There is a fantastical feel to the novel too, I felt a small kinship here with Suskind's Perfume (another novel set in France with an unpleasant narrator) as there is a hallucinatory quality to both, the events here sometimes too rich or too implausible, married with the realistic setting, give the book the feel of a dream, it makes for quite an unsettling read.

One imagines this is deliberate, it makes for an unusual story then, but an enjoyable one, the clear eyed, well researched tale of Tarare and the harsh realities of life in the period, rubbing up against the dream like episodes that carry the hero (sort of) through the book and to it's dark denouement, indeed the real story of Tarare himself is so fantastically it is hard to believe it now,

The book, then is a triumph, managing to be horrific and unpleasant whilst retaining a sense of beauty and wonder. Combining the fantastical and the mundane to create a story that isn't really like much else. A worthy read.

I enjoyed A. K. Blakemores previous novel, The Manningtree Witches and I was glad to be approved to read The Glutton. Unfortunately this book horrified me. Based on a true story I couldn’t believe what happened. At the same time I was intrigued by this tale. Definitely not for squeamish readers.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC !!

"The Glutton" by A. K. Blakemore is a tour de force that delves deep into the dark recesses of desire and destruction against the backdrop of Revolutionary France. This novel, based on a true story, introduces readers to a character like no other, Tarare, whose insatiable hunger becomes a captivating and disturbing central theme.

The story begins with Sister Perpetue, tasked with guarding a room and its enigmatic occupant, Tarare. He's a man whose reputation as "The Great Tarare, The Glutton of Lyon" precedes him, with whispers of his unthinkable consumption of creatures and even a child. However, the man before Sister Perpetue is a far cry from the legend – a well-meaning, inquisitive soul named Tarare, born into modest circumstances in a turbulent 18th-century France.

Blakemore masterfully weaves together Tarare's journey from a peaceful village to the chaos of revolutionary Paris. Tarare's transformation from a simple peasant into a marvel of his time is both fascinating and horrifying. The author's unflinching portrayal of his extraordinary abilities to devour anything in his path is not for the faint of heart. It's shockingly raw and gruesome, and yet it is through this very rawness that we come to empathize with Tarare.

What sets "The Glutton" apart is its commitment to giving Tarare a voice, allowing readers to see beyond the freakish exterior and into the depths of his character. Blakemore's exploration of Tarare's psyche is a compelling journey into the complexities of human nature and desire.

The historical backdrop of Revolutionary France serves as a powerful and tumultuous backdrop, mirroring the insatiable demands of both the people and our protagonist. Blakemore paints a vivid picture of a nation in upheaval, where the hunger of one man becomes emblematic of the collective hunger for change.

In conclusion, "The Glutton" is an electrifying and heart-stopping novel that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. A. K. Blakemore's unflinching portrayal of Tarare's insatiable hunger is both grotesque and captivating, making it a compelling exploration of desire and desperation. This book is not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare to delve into the depths of human hunger, it offers a richly rewarding experience with unforgettable character depth. Blakemore's portrayal of Revolutionary France adds a layer of historical authenticity that further enhances the narrative. "The Glutton" is a dark and unforgettable journey that will leave you haunted and enthralled long after you turn the last page.

A beautifully written but tragic tale of a man in 18th century France who spends his whole life being taken advantage of and ridiculed by people he trusts. Its a fascinating story but a very sad one. There are moments of humour but it gets darker at every turn. The main character is so likeable and is such a sweet, naive boy. He is let down and abused throughout his whole life until it completely changes him.
The story follows him from birth, to his death. Mostly in his own words as he tells his life story to a nun. Whether or not he is a reliable narrator, or just playing along with his reputation, who knows.
Very intriguing and tragic, but the language used throughout is so beautiful.

Nauseating, horrifying and yet somehow, compelling. THE GLUTTON is a nasty little feast of historical fiction that skillfully manages to make you feel compassion and tenderness for a cannibal with a ferocious appetite. I was equal parts disgusted and intrigued by Tarare, and delighted to discover this is based on a true story. Blakemore paints a vivid picture of 18th-century France and the hopelessness of hunger and poverty. If your stomach can handle it, I would highly recommend!

I enjoyed reading this dark, decadent, abject little book. I have read The Manngingtree Witches and really enjoyed Blakemore's poetic style, she writes in a way that really focuses on the sound and rhythm of the words she is using, which can be really pleasurable to read. It gave me the dark gothic visceral vibes that I wanted for a book about a boy who can eat anything, she did not shy away from the physical reality of that or of the lives of the peasants in 18th century France. She is very good at building an image and making the events of the novel tangible. I think the pacing of this book was a little off, the start was very slow and sometimes felt as though the sound of the words mattered more than the sense of them, Blakemore took her style and stretched it as far as it would go which sometimes felt a little self-indulgent. It picked up when we joined our merry band of criminals and that part was horrifyingly fun to read, the characters so believable and dangerous, the plot fun but with a feeling of tension and horror hanging over it that I loved. But then the final third felt a little disjoined from the rest, and while I enjoyed it, I had to get back into the book as though there had been an intermission. Despite these technical flaws, I thought it was a really fun read and I will definitely read what Blakemore writes next.

The imagined life of the French showman "The Great Terare" who was known as the "Glutton of Lyon".

A really interesting and enjoyable read although some descriptions are not for those of a squeamish disposition.

Thanks to Netgalley, Granta Publications and A K Blakemore for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

A bizzare, fascinating story about a showman in Revolution-era France. An interesting concept and meticulously researched, but it was a struggle to get through - the plot is slow, the writing heavy. Not one for me.

A beautifully written book. Blakemore’s use of language is stunning, Ann’s the many different ways in which Tarare is presented range from hilarious to heartbreaking. Loved it.

An extraordinary tale of a man who could eat anything, set in Revolutionary France, the sights and sounds and tastes and smells (unfortunately) pour out of the pages. It’s totally immersive, shocking, funny, sad and a bit bonkers.

Disgustingly beautiful, this is the tale of surviving day-to-day on the fringes of society with no real sense of purpose because the basic trials and tribulations of life are all-consuming. Based on the myth of a real French peasant - we follow Tarare as a young impoverish boy as his life hits rock bottom and he resurfaces to become a freakshow of society, the Great Tarare the Bottomless Man, with a literally insatiable appetite. Told from his deathbed to a watchful nun we experience the horror of this creature's actions as well as sympathise with the horrors inflicted on him. Set against the backdrop of Revolutionary France, there is a lot to tease out of this narrative that is both brutally and beautifully told. I only wish there was more space for some of the secondary characters who were also really fascinating. Tarare is both a monster and a pitiful victim and his story leaves you uncomfortable with the deprivation of those found at the bottom of the hierarchy. Just don't read this while you're eating...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5554940280

A very good book in many ways - meticulously researched and beautifully written - but I really struggled to understand the point of it. The author does breathe life into France in the relevant period, and the huge disparities between rich and poor, which still have lots of resonance today. But Tarare's story never seems to go anywhere. I don't understand what his motivations were, why he did what he did, and if the point is to show that he has no agency in his own life, drifting from place to place at the mercy of other people, it unfortunately doesn't make for a very exciting plot. A.K.Blakemore is still a fabulous writer, but this one isn't for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This written as a type of myth or legend. Set in the late 18th around the French revolution, Tarare is a strange boy, who after being beaten and left for dead develops a huge appetite and will literally eat anything. He is telling the tale of his life to a young nun while he waiting to die. A strange but intriguing tale.

If you were a fan of A.K. Blakemore’s previous book “The Manningtree Witches”, then I think you will love this. It is based on the legend of Tarare, a boy who grows up in rural France in the eighteenth century. His life is fairly unremarkable until a violent act changes Tarare forever and gives him an insatiable appetite. We are introduced to Tarare at the beginning of the book so the reader knows what he has become in all his hideousness. But the book then flashes backwards to tell the story of how he became the legend.

This book is a masterpiece of intertwining legend, fact and fiction. Because of it switching between the “present” of Tarare retelling his story to the nun tasked with watching him in his frailty and the “past” of his backstory, you really do seesaw between feeling incredibly sorry for him and feeling appalled by his behaviour. But ultimately, much like all of the people who encounter him and the doctors who study him, you are fascinated by him.

I can’t say that I loved this book, possibly because I found some passages a bit difficult to get through. But it is mostly wonderfully well written and I would recommend it to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This is my sort of historical novel. Weird, vivid and occasionally gruesome, yet utterly compelling from the start. And surely one of the best covers of the year!

DNF @70%

Once again I don't know why I've kept reading until 70%. This was making me unhappy from the first 20%, persevering for so long must be a testament that I really tried to make the most of it. First of all the novel felt as a very English book set in France and not even that was evident, if it wasn't for the occasional French town name or the fact that they were sleeping outside. Therefore for a French myth, this really read very non French, so from that point of view the novel kind of disappointed. Secondly Tarare is suppose to be this poor, uneducated simpleton yet his speech and his musing are in such elaborate language that once again I had to wander and be annoyed at the author use of language. Yea, it's nice for an author to concern herself with language, but to use language for the sake of it and not take into consideration who your character is, it's just not on! Thirdly I've found the story very hard going, slow as a very hot summer day in France, for sure! The only bit I've really enjoyed was when he meets the vagrants band and joins them in mischief making. But that's very short lived and then we are back to the molasses of Tarare's story from which I've gain nothing....

Many thanks for the opportunity!

Tarare constantly craves food and will eat almost anything. It is 1798 and he lies dying in a hospice in Versailles (after eating a golden fork, he claims). He recounts the story of his life to Sister Perpetué, the nun who is tending him. His story is interspersed with her reflections on their encounter and the nature of morality and mortality.

Tarare is born to a young unmarried peasant on the day – almost at the moment – that his father dies. She defies village morality, showing courage and some initiative in his upbringing, but from his birth Tarare is an outsider. He is gentle, naive and open. After a horrific injury something changes and he becomes incessantly hungry.

Tarare falls in with a group of travelling players who are also outsiders in their way, amoral, free and contemptuous of the law. They turn his terrible craving for food into a business opportunity, encouraging him to eat increasingly grotesque items – from rotting flesh to metal implements – for entertainment.

Tarare’s story is relayed to us by an omniscient narrator, rather than his own words. This works well because the narrator is able to offer barbed and at times amusing commentary on his adventures. Village life is vividly drawn and the characters are rich and complex.

Blakemore doesn’t shy away from the horrors of violence and poverty but she shows that even at times of crisis there are gossip and petty grudges and fleeting pleasure. The players and the people they encounter articulate different views on injustice and revolution.

Tarare’s adventures are beautifully rendered. The Glutton is funny, dark, engaging and thought-provoking. Yet there are a few flaws.

The character of Tarare in the convent, approaching death, seems entirely at odds with the boy and man throughout the book. He is knowing, cruel, manipulative. There is no explanation of why his character might have changed. (It was so marked that I kept waiting for a twist that never came.)

Blakemore likes to throw in obscure words. This is mostly fine with me, it’s consistent with the heightened, playful narrative voice. Reading on my Kindle I can look them up without leaving the page so it doesn’t disrupt the flow. Sometimes, though, I felt they broke the spell – eg “polysaccharide” threw me into the world of gut-health podcasts and it took my monkey mind a moment to find its way back to 18th-century France.

I guess it’s the nature of a picaresque that nothing changes, there is no great epiphany or revelation or growth, but I do feel that the book peters out towards the end. I also feel that more could have been made of the resonances with revolutionary France. As it stands, apart from the obvious (trauma leading to insatiable, destructive desire) the historical setting feels more like a nice backdrop.

All of which sounds a bit negative, which isn’t my intention. I’m just trying to understand why I didn’t quite love The Glutton. It’s certainly original and entertaining and worth your time, so I’ll be interested to see what others make of it.
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I received a copy of The Glutton from the publisher via NetGalley.