The Slapping Man

by Andrew Lindsay

Welcome to Salvation, known to the locals as Ruination – a bawdy, ribald town where nothing is sacred except perhaps the beer, the sex and the fishing. The people who live there are villainous, perverse, and unashamedly venal: there is John, who runs the local pub, Jean Flinch whose reputation at the Virgin Wall is infamous and little orphan Ernie, whose giant jawbone is both a curse and a blessing.

When Ernie re-invents himself as The Slapping Man, all hell breaks loose as the locals clamour to find their own salvation by giving Ernie a good slap. Indeed it seemed that Ernie could rejuvenate the town on mass. There was just one problem – Slapping Men don't live forever.

Audio CD

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Lyn Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. I started off enjoying the dark humour in this story, somewhat like a cross between a parable and a Hieronymus Bosch painting. However, the narrative seemed to loose momentum in the middle, and I couldn't sustain my interest. Also I think I stopped caring about the central character who seemed a bit gormless.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although I like strange, different, and wired; only finished this because it was recommended to me. I found it crass, vulgar and over the top; and did not like it.