Cheap Hogg : A Novel (Book) (Samuel R. Delany) Price

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Customer Reviews of Hogg : A Novel

I view it as an endurance test that is heavily laced with black humor. Yes, it is a sign of the times and a reflection of the cutlture that produced it, yet Delany knew this would be said of the work when he was writing it. Next. We have four paid-for-hire rapists that committ any and all acts within the slim volume. By the end we have a serial killing spree that blows Ellis' AMERICAN PSYCHO clean out of the water. In between we witness a character urinating upon another's leg. When the latter inquires what the formering is doing, he replies, "Pissin' on ya' knee." Simple enough. This along with the title character going throughout the course of most of the novel with only one shoe--remember he's involved with vile killings, heavy ethical philosophizing, and sodomistic acts.

To end, I must quote the librarian whom I returned the text: "It's like a car wreck, you can't help but look," as she flips through the pages while eating a candy bar.

Seriously invigorating example of literary freedom.
This review will remain short as I have few things to say about this book. I feel, however, that having read this book I have experienced the most free and beautiful raw emotive writing there is. I'd go as far as saying I was well read, and be it a reflection on my choice I found Hogg unbearably touching and transcending morality. It truly does outstrip any other writing I'd consider great. It bent my views and morals until they snapped and I believe I'm a freer person for it.

The Standard Of Pornographic & Violent Themes
Its a real writers project to narrate a story from the sick and amoral headview of a very young child. It was the oddest and most enthusiastic thing to discover that it is exaclty this story which came from a young Samuel Delany who is known and established most prominently in the Sci-Fi field. The writer who can,in simple and extremely explicit prose, accomplish the 'impossible' is the example of excellence. HOGG is one of the most brilliant books to have ever sought this goal and so completely achieved it. The impression this book has left on me since my first reading at 18 has not wavered or dulled in the slightest. The true standing of time of a modern piece of 'newness'. Someone recently wrote to me that some strong reading advice he has been given is "to not read anything written past 1950." Its very hard to argure that but a few wonderfully insightful works do DEMAND attention to their 'freshness'. (Ballard ,Burroughs,Cooper,Ligotti.) They all have pulled something without comparison into the world of words. HOGG is key in this struggle. I have never been one to read 'erotic' prose. The sexual flavorings of unenvisioned writers. Yet'Hardcore' sex is not this. And hardocre sex with natural violence and a PLOT? Thats the feat I have grown to so thouroughly feel and treasure in Delanys HOGG. This is the story of a child who willingly comes under the obsessive 'keep'of Hogg. Hogg is the epitome of total abandonment to any sexual taboos and a man living off the sexual grip of severe violence. That is a VERY difficult plot to fill with believability! If HOGG is too 'sexual' to be given credit of decent plot, I argue because it is essential and not able to be 'copped out' or thinned in the importance of the role it plays. It is THE MAIN theme being explored here. Sexual fulfillment for most is accomplished in non eventful intercourse. Us cheesier folks employ whips and silly 'bondage' play. Yet..reality must be a part in the sexual satisfaction of a rare and usually criminal few. It is this altered sexual 'lust' more so its demand which is alive in HOGG ,the young boy, and most of the characters in HOGG. I cannot recommend this book more than any other for illustrating to the reader the full delinquence of a handsome child bringing out perhaps the most 'individual' traits of those he is around. It is amazing.