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 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.

Audible Audio

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.