Crenshaw's Books & Decks

I was given this book for my birthday, as Amelie Nothomb is one of my favourite non-English writers. I love the freshness of her style, black sense of humour, and the playful wickedness and irreverence that permeate all her stories and characters.

Sulphuric Acid is set in a near future where the world is dominated by reality shows, especially one. Individuals aleatory chosen are kidnapped and brought into the reality show - a concentration camp where some of them become slaves, are terrorized and have to pass tests in a game for their life; those losing the game are killed live.

Sulphuric Acid is less playful and more contemplative, more philosophical and less personal than others novels by Nothomb. The book offers a sarcastic view of our modern society, the impact of mass media in our private lives, the Big Brother kind of society we are building up, and how humans need little to become a nasty flock of wolves. The themes and approach reminded me of the most modern Saramago, and it is reminiscent of some issues mentioned in old classics of the Science Fiction (like 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 for example).

The book reads well and it is very entertaining. The style is simple but effective, right to the point, without any flourish or unnecessary wording.

Sulphuric Acid is a very short novel, entertaining, and food for thought.