Most assuredly my sort of book so firstly, thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For reasons unknown (except perhaps the oddity of Tarare's disposition) it reminded me of Suskind's brilliant Perfume. The reason it reminded me of Candide is probably only because it is set in France (its at least 30 years since I read that particular novella). Either way this felt like a much older novel than it is. Just be assured that it is perfect this way. I had not heard of Tarare (feel free to Google the correct pronunciation because you'll find at least four different ways). However he is a historical figure and this book is historical fiction. Tarare was supposedly a bottomless pit when it came to food but his peculiarity was that he could eat anything - cutlery, jewellery, dead and live animals (and worse). The book is almost wholly seen through Tarare's eyes and although it is comically odd in parts it is clear by the end that this is a sad story. I highly recommend this for fans of literary and historical fiction. The writing is beautiful and the subject bizarre. Well worth a read.

The outstanding book of the year for me .Extraordinary writing . The protagonist evokes pathos and revulsion in equal measure . Highly recommended .

I loved this so so much. It is oh so dark and atmospheric and harrowing and really quite appalling - but in the best way. A very gruesome read that reminded me of ‘Perfume’ by Patrick Süskind. I don’t think I’ll forget Tarare in a hurry. Thank you to Granta for the advanced copy!

The Glutton is a true poet’s novel, never an obvious word written and endlessly semantically inventive and surprising. Blakemore sensibly eschews the sensationalist folklore around Tarare, to provide a thoughtful account of an outsider out of place in his body and among the populace, his legendary hunger standing for a profound loneliness and longing for connection. The prose is scabrously carnal, with moments of the soiled Rabelaisian carnival — the pink-dipped hearts and festive strings of gore and the pitiful stink of a living carcass in silk habiliments — but it is nonetheless a novel of surprising tenderness and heart. Thank you to Granta for the Review Copy.

A. K. Blakemore arrived on the literary scene with the rather wonderful The Manningtree Witches, which took for its story that of Matthew Hopkins, a true historical figure, around whom a wonderful novel was woven. This new novel, The Glutton, shares much D.N.A. with that debut - here it is the true story of Tarare, a French man with a rather unusual ability - he can eat literally anything, and at the risk of turning your stomach, he does. A meal for 15, live animals, offal, eels eaten whole, alive. It is a sickening spectacle in many ways, and the mere beginning of an incredible tale. Blakemore's prose sings throughout thus - it is baroque, it is full of life, it fills Tarare and his adventures in revolutionary France so stunningly that I had to pause to re-read a perfect sentence, on every page, and yet was so urgently pulled on by the narrative that I didn't want to stop. I was gluttonous too - finishing this masterpiece in one sitting - with the final third of the novel bringing out all my emotions. This is a novel that will rest in my mind for many days - and I know I will read it again. Superb stuff. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.