Louse

by David Grand

Herbert Horatio "Poppy" Blackwell was once a daring aviator, illustrious movie producer, and brilliant businessman. A Howard Hughes-like mogul, Poppy has become a recluse with paralyzing fears of infection. Cloistered in the penthouse high above his desert gambling empire, Poppy's maids and footmen and lawyers and physicians cater to his eccentric, paranoid demands. Herman Q. Louse is Poppy's valet, whose primary duty is administering Poppy's "medication," near-lethal injections of heroin. Louse is just one of the indentured servants who work off their debt accrued at Poppy's casino. To ensure absolute cooperation and loyalty, their long-term memory has been erased and every action is watched by video cameras. But as Louse goes about his carefully monitored business, he becomes aware of a growing conspiracy against Poppy, forcing him to act as Poppy's unlikely protector-that is, until accusations begin to circulate about Louse. Dark, disturbing, yet acerbically funny, Louse is an unforgettable tale by a terrifically imaginative new writer.

Genres: Fiction

255 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 1998

About the author

David Grand is the author of Louse, a New York Times Notable Book and a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year, and The Disappearing Body, which Bookforum described as “satirical noir at its mesmerizing best.” Grand received his MFA from New York University, where he held the Fellowship in Fiction and studied with E.L. Doctorow. His writing has appeared in anthologies as well as The New York Times Magazine, Travel and Leisure, BlackBook, and elsewhere. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and twin sons.

Reviews

[Corey Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book for 2$ from habitat for humanity i think i got ripped off. David grand I want my time back this book ending was a mind trip. I am pissed.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sci fi type book. It is weird but entertaining. I can almost imagine it. The extremely controlled environment and the desires of Poppy to make sure all is as germ free as possible. Those interred into this enclosed world must adhere to strictly enforced rules and procedures or face the consequences. If you like a good sci fi-- Read Louse.

[Ryandake · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't finish it. tried very hard. but i don't like any of the characters, the protag's point of view is too limited to allow me to see the world, and a majority of the time i can't figure out what's going on.

read about half of it, gave up.

[Greg D'Avis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange and pretty. Very affecting -- it drew me in deeply without me really realizing it.

[Miro Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Similar to the plot of an action movie: The beginning of island and the like.

[Gospodyina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it ages ago, and recall liking it. For unknown reasons I have a signed copy which, based on the rest of the box I found it in, I surely bought in Canada.