Cannibals, Book One: Iambic Pentameter and the Teaching of Twelve

by Joshua S. Porter

Something is wiping out life on earth.

When their warren is destroyed, a family of rabbits who follow the ancient religion of Lagora must leave the only forest they’ve ever known in search of a new home. Moving across the decimated landscape of the outside world, the Lagorians must travel time, alternate dimensions and outer space in order to uncover the secret of the mysterious White Death.

In this first episode of his epic Cannibals trilogy, Joshua S. Porter creates a post-apocalyptic drama filled with religion, mysticism and sci-fi fantasy with his well-known affinity for the mad and macabre.

301 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2013

About the author

Joshua S. Porter is pastor of teaching and creative vision at Van City Church in Vancouver, Washington. He is also a former member of the experimental art-punk band, Showbread, and the author of With All Its Teeth, Death to Deconstruction, novel Punk Rock Vs. the Lizard People.

Find out more and connect with Joshua at joshuasporter.com.

Reviews

[Lashaya Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has sat on my shelves unread since I bought in back in 2013. Being from Joshua s porter aka josh dies of showbread I immediately pre ordered the book. I had read and liked all his previous works but for some reason when I tried reading this in 2013 it couldn’t grab my attention.

Here we are in the first days of 2018 and I finally got to reading it, in one sitting no less. The books is a bit heavy handed with the theology at times but It worked in the end. The book reminded me a bit of works from c.s Lewis and the movie the dark crystal(and I know josh likes at least one of those) . The funny thing is, as I closed the book I felt very at peace and comforted. This peace and comfort has a specific feel , and I hadn’t felt it since listening to showbread in those same old days. So in all I guess it’s a good thing I waited so long to read it, cause now years after it’s release it’s brought me a peace and comfort I’m not sure I would have understood or gotten if I read it back then.

[Adronel De Villiers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cannibals book one is a hard book to describe, purely because at first it might seem like a story about rabbits living in a wood, but in actual fact it turns out to be much more than that (luckily!). And the 'more than that' part is what's really hard to describe. The prologue really got me hooked and i think that bit of info was perfectly placed right at the start for a reason - to get your attention - and it turns out to be much more sci-fi than i thought it would be, which is awesome. There's a lot of religious symbolism in the book and you just know it has a deeper meaning (one i don't fully understand yet).
In the end you want to read about the rabbits so you can understand what everything means, because it becomes absolutely fascinating. At the end though, you don't completely get it - yet, so it makes you look forward to the 2nd book and I actually literally can't wait for it!
Joshua S. Porter has one of those very rare, brilliant minds and he is a true genius to come up with books like this (and all his other books). I highly recommend this book if you want something that will make you think; and even if you don't want to think too hard about it, it's very enjoyable nonetheless!

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. A good beginning to the trilogy. I will definitely stay on board to see what happens to Arnim and the rest of the Lagorians. However, for some reason, it did not captivate me the way that Joshua's other books have and there were times where it felt like the theological agenda was pressed a little too hard. A fun read nonetheless for all you sic-fi rabbit fans.

[Quentin Norris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Josh Dies' books. It gets a little too bogged down with its allegory near the middle of the book, but it's still filled with his signature style of writing and imaginative storytelling. The book ends strongly and seems to have a better grasp on its allegorical elements. I'd love to see where the next two books go.

[Gabriel Chartier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic read. One of my favorite books I've read this year. Going into this I suspected I would love it because a mind like Joshua Porters' is hard to come by. Loved the religious symbolism and progressively deepening plot-line.

Can't wait till book II comes out!

[Eric Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to Book Two!