The Ketchup Factory

by J.P. Vallières

As if Phillip K. Dick joined Haruki Murakami and Angela Carter to create a wildly warped love story. "The Ketchup Factory", like other classics (Catch-22, Cat's Cradle, The Bloody Chamber, and Fahrenheit 451) explores the likelihood that it's not easy to live a sane life in a country that's gone horribly wrong.

Benji works for one of the most sought after companies on earth. Not only is there a great sense of camaraderie and devotion among factory employees, the workers themselves have the satisfaction of producing and distributing nutrition. An affordable nutrition that aids physical health and has the added benefit of bringing peace and happiness to the country's grateful citizens.

However, the main ingredient has sadistic demands: "dignified" blood sacrifices are not only accepted but encouraged by society's leaders.

Through a series of strange and unfortunate happenstances, Benji navigates through a world convinced it is right and good and just. But, in time, questions mount, confusion erupts, leaving Benji to roam in a dark forest with a head full of talking bugs and a heart longing for a woman from his past.

236 pages, ebook

Published December 17, 2020

Reviews

[Rebecca Gransden]

Read my interview with the author over at X-R-A-Y Literary Magazine
https://xraylitmag.com/a-big-joke-on-...

[Ian Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ketchup Factory is a Vonnegut-esque story that shows us the downward spiral of one man, Benji. The whole thing is just weird enough to make you wonder what the fuck is going on, but the reader easily locates themselves within the grand narrative.

The Ketchup Factory does not over explain itself. It allows the novel to breathe and gives space to the reader to fill in the blanks. It does not spoon feed logic and resolutions.

I think the book could have been a little more violent and sexed up, but that’s just personal preference.

[Jody Sperling · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read THE KETCHUP FACTORY, I heard the voice of Christopher Walken narrating in my mind, which is fitting because the book has a similar tone to Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice."

You could dance to the rhythm of Valliéres's prose, but more than the beautiful writing, the story of THE KETCHUP FACTORY is enthralling. Benji is hilarious, and his struggle to live a meaningful life leads to so many blunders that are simultaneously funny and heartbreaking that you could easily reread sections over and over again and not fatigue.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story but had to get comfortable with not quite understanding what exactly was happening or why. The back synopsis explains Benji dips into insanity because of the horrific method of making ketchup... But I didn't get that from the story. I also would have liked more explanation of how even blood ketchup came to be and the general status of the society.

[Ashley Sperling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ketchup and crucifixion...yes, please. JP Vallières writing is beautiful in its bizarreness. This book does not disappoint. It’s humorous, and sad, and just really captivating.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wacky, dream-like scenario. Creative. Good writer.

[Peter Schutz]

really retarded <3

idaho represent.

[pibby · Rating 5 out of 5]

felt like i was on shrooms with the main character. so good

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story builds and builds until it cracks open. At times I was so scared for Benji. I wanted him to make it, to survive this strange cruel world. Destined to be a cult classic.