Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Worst Books I've Ever Read Part II

9 out of 10 cows hate this book.


Under the Dog Star
by Joseph Caldwell


I can't recall the specifics of this novel (character names, setting, etc.), which I read when I was maybe 16 or 17, but I can remember that it was awful. AWFUL. Not one memorable - or even vaguely interesting - character graced the entire book, and it was basically just a cringe-fest from beginning to end. A sad but abrasive widow lives in an isolated farmhouse with her two teenage kids, a boy and a girl. To make ends meet, she invites a teenage drifter to live with them and do some farm chores. Despite his lack of charm, this urchin proceeds to seduce the entire family, including the cows. How could anyone resist him? The aroma of manure and hay, the grubby fingernails, the way words like "hyuck" trip off his tongue?

I can't remember how Under the Dog Star ends. Not that it really matters. The coolest ending in the history of fiction couldn't redeem this creepy mess.

2 comments:

Wandering Coyote said...

Good GOD! Beastiality is right up there on my lists of things that turn me off in literature. It was one reason I didn't like The Cure for Death by Lightning.

tweetey30 said...

I have to admit I dont recall this one either. but I will stay away from it if I do come across it.. Yikes...