A Sweet Death

by Claude Tardat, Dr Erin K Wilson (Translator)

"The fundamental inanity of existence has already pierced my heart, and I know now that only cakes have any savor."
In a tiny room under the Parisian rooftops, a precocious student concocts a rather unusual plan for a simple suicide. A dizzying array of desserts--pastries, chocolates, cookies, custards and more--are the instruments of her demise.
A Sweet Death is the macabre and humorous record of a young woman's eccentric progression. A rumination on life, literature, philosophy, fashion, love, and--most importantly--food.
By turns sumptuous, horrific and hopeful, Claude Tardat's novel is an original and compelling exploration of what it means to be alive.

Genres: Fiction

154 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 1988

Reviews

[melis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Paul Stolp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The actual edition I read is a new translation by Erin K. Wilson published by Chromatophore Press in Seattle, but it doesn't seem to be on Goodreads.

[estera calin · Rating 5 out of 5]

sugar rush made fever dream made intense nausea. enticingly horrid and beautifully gruesome.

[Nicki Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read for me, having initially read it back when I was a school student. Its one of those books that has always haunted me ever since and I have always wanted to re-read some 30+ years later to see if it would still have the same impact or if I was just making it out to be so much more than it was. On my second reading I found it to be just as haunting, thought provoking and disturbing as I remembered it to be. As someone who over the years has struggled with the same demons, this book touches me in so many ways and still leaves a footprint in my mind. Told from the main characters point of view we delve into what are the demons drive her, a college-aged student to eat herself to death? Told with some dark humour interspersed, it can be a confronting read to anyone with food related issues but a very worthy read. It may force you to look at your own life, excuses, insecurities and scars, and also to find strength and remember you are never beyond hope. ⭐⭐⭐⭐#sweetdeath #claudetardet#vertvoltapress #goodreads #getlitsy #thestorygraph #tea_sipping_bookworm #fable #bookqueen #bookstagram

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary book about a woman who chooses to eat herself to death in a garrett in Paris.

[Helen Svea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Mélopée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une lente agonie due à la nourriture, qui l'eut cru?

[Angela G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whoa. This book was haunting and terribly disturbing. What are the demons that drive a college-aged student to eat herself to death? Honestly the narrative forced me to look at my own life, my own excuses and insecurities and scars, to remember I am never beyond hope. Unfortunately the unnamed narrator felt differently.