The Things One Sees on T.V.

For some time now, I have been reading Poppy Z. Brite's blog. She happens to be one of my favorite authors, though I prefer her earlier books and stories to more recent writings. Anyway, she is now Catholic*, and along with many other parishioners in New Orleans has been attending a vigil to keep one of the churches there open**.

Ok, I've known about this awhile, and also knew that she was arrested earlier this month b/c the Archbishop decided that it was important to have the police pulled away from more pressing things (oh, like investigating murders***) to arrest a few people that weren't really doing anything except refusing to leave a church.

Well, here I was watching the CBS evening news, and then there was Poppy Z. Brite being led away in handcuffs. Obviously, they are a little behind seeing as how the actual arrests were weeks ago, but I was rather surprised. Most of the story however, was devoted to vigils in Boston rather than in N.O. Just thought it was interesting thats all.


*which might come as a surprise for people who know her for such things as Exquisite Corpse.
** yes, I know, all these details are vague, but if you are curious just use Google.
*** N.O - one of, if not the, highest murder rates per capita.

Review: Exquisite Corpse

by Poppy Z. Brite

I had read this book before, but decided to tackle it again b/c I found a pristine copy in the used book story for $1.* Essentially, it is a love story - seriously, but to steal a line from Fiona McGavin "you shouldn't love anyone that much."

The plot very basically is that two serial killers, one from New Orleans and one from London meet up through chance in a bar called "The Hand of Glory"**, and decide to murder then eat this local from N.O. Actually, my favorite scene is the meeting b/w Jay and Andrew. Both are in the bar looking for a victim, but obviously get something completly unexpected, and find in each other similar affinities, which eventually leads to them attacking Tran (the local). There is a second subplot involving the potential victim's boyfriend who has AIDS and is angry at the world, but those sections have always annoyed me, and are the least interesting aspects of the book.

Actually, several parts of Exquisite Corpse are based on the real life story of Jeffrey Dahmer. And while I don't find many things truly horrifying, there are a couple of scenes in this book that are entirely too much. One occurs at the beginning involving a boy named Fido and some bleach, the second is near the end and has something to do with a screwdriver - enough said. Out of PZB's novels that I have read this is my least favorite, but her writing is still evocative and beautiful.

Now the real question is, can I complete this challenge and read one more book before the end of the month.....

* too good of a deal to pass up
**I'm too lazy to make sure that is the name, but I'm fairly certain.