The Slapping Man

by Andrew Lindsay

A world celebrating the marvelous, the mythical, and the grotesque is introduced in this hilarious and dark novel. Welcome to Salvation, a ribald town where nothing is sacred—except perhaps beer, sex, and fishing. The town is so haunted by its strange past that it can only function in the present. The townspeople are ready for a savior when Ernie, the Slapping Man, appears, beguiling them with a most unusual patter: "Don't be sad, no need to frown, the Slapping Man has come to town. Feel your life's a horrid trap? Just step up and take a slap!" The odd thing is that it seems to work—with a single slap they glow with joy. Suddenly the people of Salvation are caught up in the mania of pure addiction to the pleasure of letting fly at the Slapping Man. There's just one problem—Slapping Men don't last forever. Written with bawdy gusto, this uniquely dark and funny story continually shocks and entertains.

320 pages, Paperback

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.