Book Summary
In "Eat him if you like," Jean Teule narrates a horrifying event based on a true story that reveals how a group can turn into bloodthirsty beings. France and Prussia begin a war in the mid-19th century, unfolding under very different circumstances for these two lands. The story takes place in a village in the southwest of France. The main character, around whom the tale revolves, is a nobleman from Vannes who intends to spend his holiday in a village.
He travels there and establishes a good relationship with the locals. However, due to certain interactions and misconceptions that take root in the villagers' minds, they come to believe that the nobleman is plotting something sinister. Consequently, they conspire together to unleash their wrath upon him. The villagers unite to torture someone they once deeply cared for and then mutilate him, creating extremely distressing moments that not only erase the past but also reveal how savage they can be and how much cruelty has consumed their souls.
Ultimately, the nobleman, who is now viewed as a Prussian spy, is considered a traitor by the majority. During the days of Napoleon III's defeat and the fall of Paris, the author presents a very dark story about him.
About the Author
Jean Teule was a French writer and cartoonist born on February 26, 1953. He received various literary awards and was also active in filmmaking and illustration. Teule passed away on October 18, 2022, due to food poisoning that led to cardiac arrest. Some of his works include "The Suicide Shop," "Darling," and "Virus."
Who Should Read the Book?
Those interested in horror genre novels are among the main audience for "Eat him if you like."
Book Quotes
The crowd was all cheerful and lively. Burning a person takes a long time. The sun was crying blood on the horizon. It was a terrifying sight. The wind scattered Alan's ashes everywhere. Some of this black dust settled at the feet of people who wiped their greasy mouths with their dirty sleeves. They were full and happy.
The young man opened the window shutters of his room. The muslin curtains fluttered from both sides of the window. His room was on the upper floor of a seventeenth-century building. The young man's eyes were fixed on the view. A corner of the Limousin region seemed mistakenly attached to Prigaux. In the plain stretching to the horizon before him, oak trees were scattered. Behind him, the clock above the wood stove chimed once at one o'clock.
What time is it to wake up? After all, you’ve just become the deputy mayor of Boussac. When I was mayor, I used to get up much earlier than this. The voice came from the garden: a deep, resonant sound coming from beneath an ancient chestnut tree. I was gathering my things to take to the pasture, Father.
Mother said from under the shade of the tree, “Amedy, don’t tease our son. Look at him; at least he’s dressed and ready.” She fanned herself and continued, “Alan dear! You look so handsome in those new clothes. By the way, don’t forget to take your straw hat. It’s hell outside.”
Alan picked up his straw hat from the table and went downstairs. The staircase smelled strongly of polish. His soft leather boots were beside the stairs. The crooked nail of his shoe indicated a slight limp and gave his walk a loose and unsteady feel. A worn-out and tattered carpet hung on the wall of the hallway. Alan paused for a moment in front of a painting that depicted a deserted village market and square.
