Crustaceans

by Andrew Cowan

It is December 22nd, a foot of snow has fallen, and Paul is heading out for a small coastal resort on his son Euan's sixth birthday. Shall I tell you a story? he says and recalls the boy's birth, his first words and steps, all the stuff of forgetting, of any boy's life...But nothing, Paul has decided, should ever be lost or discarded or buried, as it was in his own childhood. And so he confides the history of his relationship with Ruth, Euan's mother; the death of his own mother when he himself was a boy; and his father's refusal ever to explain what occurred. It soon becomes evident, however, that Euan is not in the car. Evident, too, that Paul is living alone, and that in the cliffs and dunes of the seaside resort lies the key to his story's conclusion.

Genres: Fiction

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2000

Reviews

[Tom Croskery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Equal parts morbid and mysterious

[Jetan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Crustaceans to be beautifully written and poetic. Any book that can silence everything else around me, is a great read. A dreamlike journey as you walk along side a father who reflects on life events as he grieves his only child. Beautiful.

[Noel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was quite frankly an abomination. Never before have I been subjected to such drivel: the dreary prose, the melodramatic complaints... even the ridiculously irrelevant title adds to an impression of overated rubbish. In my opinion this excuse for an enlightened novel comes first in only one known category: that of the worst book I have undertaken thus far. Spare yourself. DO NOT READ THIS BOOK, and instead put it to better use as premium quality bog roll.

[David Gagen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugely emotional novel dealing as it does with such trauma. Beautifully written and heart breaking.

[Walter Van Praag · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am easily confused and have trouble concentrating at the best of times, but I occasionally got a little lost reading this beautiful book. Though nicely written, almost poetic at times, and covering a sad set of events really, I do recommend people give this book a go. Without going into details or spoilers, the book is pretty much about a dysfunctional family, one that could easily be your own :) It covers a couple of sad events and ends on a sad note. Not exactly an uplifting book, but an interesting read that will take you away from your own reality....

[Karoline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if something was lost in translation for me or if it really was that boring. It's very English and a lot of the words, phrases, and expressions were a little beyond me.