Bloodmud: A Near-Future North American Mahabharata

by Vinnie Hoose

This is not the Mahabharata you're expecting… This tale is a tick on the rump of the ancient Indian epic, fattened with stolen blood and ready to burst.

Bloodmud hot-rods the classic myth, turbocharges its bawdy engine, and thunders coast to coast across the not-quite-America of the near future.

You won't find history, insight, guidance, nor law (though you might enjoy a wicked flashback). This is Geiger versus Fripp for eternal rule of the city of Loadville.

Fighting out of the hero corner, the five Geiger brothers: Edmond, born wearing a blue blazer and trying to live up to its status. Pepe, a flamenco singer who brawls even better than he dances. Ozo and Roy, twins skilled at modern art and grass cutting. And deadliest of all, Tatt, a globetrotting saboteur armed with Walmart's best bow and arrow.

Opposite, their cousins: A mob of centuplets led by Maddox Fripp, an insufferable greedzilla whose tiny fists have never punched above the belt.

When the cousins' family tree splinters, the feud ruptures into war: A war of neurosurgeons and nutcutters, pool hustlers and pizza guys, tycoons and Long Island goons. A war to decide who rules Loadville and who sinks beneath the bloodmud…

330 pages, Paperback

Published December 8, 2019

About the author

Vinnie Hoose is from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He has published four books under other names.

Reviews

[Y.N.]

A post-psychedelic, amphetamine-popped, Class-A listed retelling of the Mahabharata... the pace never drops, the action never stops, and the beat goes on an on. While the characters have obviously been changed from the original (just read the synopsis to get a sense how much), the plot actually mirrors the epic quite strictly... which is great, because some originals need no improving.

Now lets just hope the BJP doesn't get a hold of it...

[Hikes in Rain]

I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway, for which I am very grateful.

I am tardy on posting this review. The COVID-19 virus is cooperating fully with my 20+ year old house, and everything in the house is breaking at once!

This book was like a nonstop action movie or cartoon. Think of the roadrunner vs. Wile E. Coyote with a dash of the Transformers blended in for spice. One continuous comedic battle with some of the most unlikely weapons and improvised war vehicles you can imagine. It was loads of fun to read.

I have not read the original story, Mahabharata. I did look up the Wikipedia description, which did help understand the book quite a lot. I highly recommend that you read the description before reading this. I believe I will find a translation of the original Sanskrit to compare them.

By the way, regarding my description, a roadrunner's top speed is 20 mph; a coyote can reach speeds up to 43 mph. My whole childhood was a big lie.

[Mary]

Throughly enjoyed this book