Sweetmeat

by Luke Sutherland

In London's Delphi Restaurant, Bohemond - black, French, obsese, lonely and a wondrously talented head chef - has drawn on mythological symbolism to begin preparing the perfect wedding meal for his boss Hermione and her womanizing fiance Paris. But when he discovers a mysterious love letter, he wonders what to do. Bohemond secretly loves Hermione - should he warn her about Paris? Or does she already know? Meanwhile, the hotel's ancient leader Faulkner spends the evenings recounting an incredible saga of his clashes with supernaturally evil enemies. It's a great story; but when the more scurrilous members of the Delphi's staff begin reporting terrifying encounters with one of Faulkner's creations, Bohemond starts wondering if everything is morphing into something between truth and fable. Building on the promise shown in his first novel, Luke Sutherland writes with an intoxicating rhthym and style, proving himself one of the most inventive young writers around.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

About the author

Luke Sutherland was born in London and was brought up in Orkney by his adopted parents. He was educated at Glasgow University, where he read English and philosophy. He is a musician and songwriter and was a founder member of the band Long Fin Killie, with whom he released three albums. He has played violin with Mogwai and his most recent music project is Music A.M. His first novel, Jelly Roll (1998), the story of a struggling Glaswegian jazz band, was shortlisted for the 1998 Whitbread First Novel Award. His second novel, Sweetmeat (2002), set in a London restaurant, narrates the adventures of head chef Bohemond.

Luke Sutherland's latest novel is Venus as a Boy (2004), an exploration of a modern-day myth about the power of love. It is being adapted for the screen by Film Four, in conjunction with Picture Palace North.

He lives in London.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did my senior project on this book. Thank God for luck. I was on a Women's Studies trip in Europe and I was working on a project on the treatment of fatness in European countries and thinking about what I would work on when I returned to school for my final term, when I stumbled across this book in London.

The intersections of Fatness, masculinity, queerness, and disability made it a perfect pick for my project and a beautiful story for my soul. I loved the story, as fucked up and beautiful as it is.

[Dave Hirsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did as I truly love the musical/lyrical genius of Luke Sutherland. Very good writing, but the story becomes increasingly unbelievable as it goes on and several of the characters felt one dimensional. Good, not great.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book and its unconnected strange stories and graphic violence and magical realist-esque weird features, no. DNF