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The Last Pickle Famine by Mr. Steven Quentin Cumber
“Cumber offers an absurdist debut novel about one man’s descent into madness… A humorous, scatterbrained narrative that moves forward with the intensity of a man bent on his own unraveling” — Kirkus ReviewsSteven Q. Cumber is a 39 year old city-hardened guy, born and bred on the mean streets of Jersey City, New Jersey. In spite of his rough and tumble upbringing, Steve had hopeful dreams and showed youthful potential. He was certain that as our President he would be uniquely qualified to pull the world back from the brink of doom and lead us into a golden age of humanity. But the streets speak loudly, even to the best of us. Steve stole a pack of gum from local store proprietor, old dead one-eyed Ed. He picked his nose and ate it on camera for all posterity. And he went spectacularly off the deep end with the drugs and the booze when he fell painfully in love with the beautiful young man-eater, Murphy Marble. Given this, you were certain to say that Steve was no longer presidential material. Shame on you for your short-sightedness. You’d better hope that this Steve, the spineless, back stabbing, bottom dwelling, scum sucking, ass kissing, litterbug of a schmo, can rise from the gutter and find a way to fulfill his promise. The fate of the world may very well depend upon it.
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About the author
Steven Quentin Cumber
1 bookSteven Quentin Cumber, a Jersey City guy and the humble author of The Last Pickle Famine, at your service. I’m a hopefully somewhat reformed asshole and an experienced author by virtue of someone who has been writing this stupid novel for 15 years. I’m happily married and now living in New York City with my lovely bride, Zee Zu. You’d like her. I work at a soup kitchen. I write. I do some public speaking. I communicate with world leaders. I have not always lived such an evolved life, as The Last Pickle Famine details. I am trying to hold myself to a higher standard now, hoping to make this world a better place. Your help would be appreciated. Two, twenty-two, twenty-two!!!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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June 1, 2016Teacher Matthew McNaul said "If you take profanity out of literature, how can you determine what words can be considered right from wrong?" The Last Pickle Factory is sure to become a cult classic!
June 12, 2016
The Last Pickle Famine
Review: j.m. carnright
Steven Quentin Cumber has written a highly literary and fascinating first novel,
“The Last Pickle Famine.” So as not to play “a spoiler” ~ I will not state any significant references. Suffice to say ~ SQC has created a greatly neurotic, erratic, irreverent and completely sexually obsessed driven character ~ himself. All words used and situations utilized are absolutely necessary to get a grip on this boisterous, exuberant ~ excessively fouled tongue ~ narrator. It is absolutely an illusive necessity and path, readers must follow, to fully acquaint and fully understand SQC’s interactions and intentions ~ not to mention his obsessions ~ with all other equally colorful personalities. Each and all sporadically explode on the scene throughout SQC’s novel. All are a grouping of literary characters, which fill out and completely satisfy readers, on this seemingly bent and twisted deviate journey.
It’s quite brilliantly a narrative style of great value in capturing and sustaining its pray. SQC also utilizes another effective literary tool ~ his use of the great and nearly endless trail and tale of c,om,ma,s! These tools ,,, and others ,,, point to a literary strategy in a form of existence elsewhere that SQC has claimed for himself. So, in fact, you are not only reading a brilliant novel but within exists a mystery and puzzle you, as the reader, can attempt to unravel.
Have fun! You’re about to read a masterpiece, should you choose to take on this raucous journey. Purchase Steven Quentin Cumber’s first fixating novel, “The Last Pickle Famine.” It is truly a new form of creative written work.
Review: j.m. carnright
Steven Quentin Cumber has written a highly literary and fascinating first novel,
“The Last Pickle Famine.” So as not to play “a spoiler” ~ I will not state any significant references. Suffice to say ~ SQC has created a greatly neurotic, erratic, irreverent and completely sexually obsessed driven character ~ himself. All words used and situations utilized are absolutely necessary to get a grip on this boisterous, exuberant ~ excessively fouled tongue ~ narrator. It is absolutely an illusive necessity and path, readers must follow, to fully acquaint and fully understand SQC’s interactions and intentions ~ not to mention his obsessions ~ with all other equally colorful personalities. Each and all sporadically explode on the scene throughout SQC’s novel. All are a grouping of literary characters, which fill out and completely satisfy readers, on this seemingly bent and twisted deviate journey.
It’s quite brilliantly a narrative style of great value in capturing and sustaining its pray. SQC also utilizes another effective literary tool ~ his use of the great and nearly endless trail and tale of c,om,ma,s! These tools ,,, and others ,,, point to a literary strategy in a form of existence elsewhere that SQC has claimed for himself. So, in fact, you are not only reading a brilliant novel but within exists a mystery and puzzle you, as the reader, can attempt to unravel.
Have fun! You’re about to read a masterpiece, should you choose to take on this raucous journey. Purchase Steven Quentin Cumber’s first fixating novel, “The Last Pickle Famine.” It is truly a new form of creative written work.
June 2, 2016
Steven Q. Cumber writes a very interesting book - sort of a Jersey Thug meets Alice in Wonderland. It's a little rough and off-color for some, but after all - he is a Jersey tough guy who has an image to keep up. Steve's life is a shambles. He's in love with someone who has her own issues and keeps him guessing, his business is failing, he has some crazy friends, and on top of it he's doing a lot of pills, gin and ciggies.
He hates the "should's" and "have-to's" in life, and the things that don't go his way. He wants to run away from it all. It's sometimes nice to think of running away from our troubles and obligations, just closing shop and reopening as another person with no issues to deal with. But in reality, it has its drawbacks. However, this is far from reality.
The book is a somewhat crazy account of Steve's life, told in a rambling way that has you laughing one minute and scratching your head the next. The cast of characters in his life story is wacky and colorful. I'm looking forward to Steve's next adventures!
Cumber's writing style is very different; he hardly uses any periods in his book. It took a few chapters to get used to it, and a few more to actually like it. Don't let it discourage you from continuing!
He hates the "should's" and "have-to's" in life, and the things that don't go his way. He wants to run away from it all. It's sometimes nice to think of running away from our troubles and obligations, just closing shop and reopening as another person with no issues to deal with. But in reality, it has its drawbacks. However, this is far from reality.
The book is a somewhat crazy account of Steve's life, told in a rambling way that has you laughing one minute and scratching your head the next. The cast of characters in his life story is wacky and colorful. I'm looking forward to Steve's next adventures!
Cumber's writing style is very different; he hardly uses any periods in his book. It took a few chapters to get used to it, and a few more to actually like it. Don't let it discourage you from continuing!
May 29, 2016
A great book! Trying to figure out Steve's thought process as he wanders from one situation to the next maybe futile, but it keeps you wanting more. The break neck speed at which the story unfolds, and "expressive" use of language turn a funny story into a hilarious one. We can all relate to this warped tale. Highly recommended!
May 13, 2016
I love the way Cum thinks, probably because it's so much like my own absurd thought process, and the ride I'm on reading about his crazy life is quite enjoyable. I look forward to another one from this guy. I'd write more but my guy just showed up with a fresh batch of Maxo, so I gotta go!
May 13, 2016
This is a great read. Entertaining and engaging the writer does a good job of pulling you into his world. I highly recommend this book to any and all!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews