HORROR

Sucker

by Daniel Hornsby
Anchor. Jul. 2023. 256p. ISBN 9780593469675. $27. HORROR
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Hornsby’s latest (after Via Negativa) is a satire of wealth and capitalism with a supernatural twist. The book follows the exploits of its unlikable protagonist, Charles Grossheart (or Chuck Gross to his friends), as he struggles to maintain his failing punk label, stay in his evil billionaire father’s good graces, and possibly do some good at the large corporation Kenosis with his old friend Olivia. But all is not as it appears with Olivia, who is in the business of selling immortality. Unfortunately, the novel struggles to find its footing, and the satire is a little heavy-handed. The supernatural part of the novel is excellent but rationed too finely in the beginning and comes too late at the end, although Hornsby’s characters are interesting and make the reader want more.
VERDICT While the author’s writing style has good flow, the satire is over-the-top, making the story less palatable.
Reviewed by Jeremiah Paddock , Jun 16, 2023
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