We need to talk about Meat. Well, I do. And will. You can just read if you’d like.

This isn’t really a review, and if it was up on Goodreads then most of this text would be blurred out. I don’t tend to review books on here that have thousands already; what could I possibly add? So here’s me sharing a few thoughts on this great book.

Meat by Joseph D’Lacey had been sitting in my Kindle library for quite a while. I’m not sure what put me off reading for so long, but I regret whatever reasons there were. As it turns out, it took me longer than usual to get through this, but I’m blaming everyday life for this, and not the quality of the book.

Although the story didn’t grab me by the throat and prevent me from putting it down, it’s fair to say I was intrigued. Those occasions where I did put the time in were thoroughly enjoyable.

This ‘review’ will contain spoilers, so if you are thinking of reading this book, I suggest not scrolling down the page too far.

This book has a bit of a reputation for being preachy about the meat industry. I have to be honest, I didn’t get that vibe. Yes, there are detailed explanations of how cattle are treated and ultimately killed in slaughter houses in order for humanity to eat and live, but come on, who doesn’t know what happens in the factories where live animals are turned into dead ones? I’m not saying I agree with the practices, but I wasn’t shocked to read about them.

The slaughter house in question here lies in the town of Abyrne. This town is built around the meat industry, with residents working there in their hundreds, supporting their families, and sustaining the local economy. Everyone eats the meat, it is what they are supposed to do. There’s even a religious order who make sure this rule is constantly adhered to. Everyone except Richard Shanti – our hero and legendary slaughter house employee of the month(s).

And every hero needs a villain. Enter the meat baron, He is one nasty bastard.

Shanti doesn’t partake in the meat eating. Perhaps it is because he is the number one killer of the cattle that he chooses not to. His family yearn to be like the rest of the town, but there’s no steak on their plates in the evenings.

Things are now about to get taken to Spoiler City.

Like I said, the book was enjoyable if not binge-worthy. I kind of wondered where things would go, but didn’t see any kind of twist coming. Maybe that’s because I try not to think of them while reading, or maybe I’m just a little stupid.

Anyway, now that I have finished it – and this was a good few weeks ago – the story has certainly stayed with me.

Throughout the book the mundane and horrific acts in the factory are documented, as the cattle are murdered, milked, and mated in order to supply the demands of the locals. But what makes this book great is that after the reveal at the end, these scenes take on a whole new meaning.

Last spoiler warning coming up………………….now!

There’s one scene where a horny worker watches one of the cattle being milked on a big machine, and can’t resist. He plunges himself into ‘there’ and is ultimately caught and sacked. Well, not sacked exactly, he is killed in the same barbaric way the cattle are.

Now these two parts got me asking questions. Why would someone want to have sex with a cow? And why did no one notice a human going through the killing floor and not kick up more of a fuss? I answered those questions by shrugging and telling myself I should just simply suspend my disbelief and roll with it.

But that ending!!

The novel expertly guides you into the mindset of experiencing cows and bulls being murdered. But you see, they aren’t animals. Yep, it’s humans baby!

And after that reveal, everything makes so much more sense. The special meat the religious order require the townsfolk to eat, is their fellow man. I honestly didn’t see that coming. Which, despite other reviewers comparing this to Tender is the Flesh, I really should have done.

That book is great and horrific, but if you’d paid attention to reviews before reading, you may have guessed the ending before I did, although I hope not. I remember watching The Machinist years ago, with the DVD case proudly declaring there were elements of Fight Club there, so when that twist came along I wasn’t surprised at all. Perhaps this is like that.

This is getting a little long now so I’ll try to wrap up. This is one of those books that requires another read. I feel I will enjoy it even more a second time around and mock past-me for not seeing the twist coming. If you’ve got this far you’ve either already read the book or have no intention to. If you are neither of these then I have spoilt any future enjoyment you may have, and I’m sorry about that.

But I did warn you!!

Categories: book review

Tags: book review, book reviews, books, death, gore, horror, horror review, joseph d'lacey, meat, reading, shocking, twist ending, violence