Exquisite Corpse

by Poppy Z. Brite

Book Overview

From the author of Lost Souls, Drawing Blood, and Wormwood comes a thrilling and chilling novel that bestselling author Peter Straub says serves as a "guidebook to hell."

To serial slayer Andrew Compton, murder is an art, the most intimate art. After feigning his own death to escape from prison, Compton makes his way to the United States with the sole ambition of bringing his "art" to new heights. Tortured by his own perverse...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684836270
• ISBN13: 9780684836270
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Shocking, Elegant, Interesting

I had seen a review on tiktok and decided to buy the book. I found it to be thrilling in spectrums.

Interesting storyline

Super detailed writing and interesting story all together. I loved seeing the two characters accepting who they are.

Best Book I Have Read In A LONG Time

I have only read two chapters so far, and I am already hooked. The words used by the author are so gruesome that it makes your stomach turn. There have been several times already (yes, I'm only two chapters in!) that I have had to turn away from the book for a little and regain myself. The imagery is described amazingly. This book is definitely not for those who can't handle gore, but if you can I highly highly highly recommend this novel! Poppy Z. Brite is a genius. I will certainly check out more of their works.

Shockingly Disturbing

Andrew Compton is a sickly twisted serial killer who seeks both solace and beauty in the slaying of young boys. However, his art cannot be perfected while in prison. Thus, Compton feigns his own death and escapes to the US. Quite unintentionally, Compton runs into a man named Jay Byrne while in New Orleans. They find they have a deep, inexplicable bond that few would understand. They both revel in the beauty that is death and torment. Thus, the two set out in search of their next victim, Tran, a disillusioned youth recently kicked out of his home and onto the streets because of his homosexuality.Though this book contains necrophilia, extreme violence, cannibalism, and gore, in no way is this a horror novel. Rather, "Exquisite Corpse" seems to fall into a category of disturbingly erotic romance and/or twenty-first century pop-culture literature. No matter how one decides to classify this novel, it can be said that this is a novel that will not soon be forgotten. This thought-provoking book will have you cringing in disgust, writhing in torment, and engaged with awe all at the same time. Poppy Z Brite has a way of sucking the reader in with her elegant prose and gorgeously vivid description that seems unrivalled by many other authors. There are few who can make torture and pain beautifully artistic. True, this book is not for the feint of heart, but if you can stomach the seemingly repulsive atrocities on the surface and dig for the deeper meaning, there is wisdom and insight to be found there.Poppy Z Brite approaches homosexuality and AIDS in a straightforward, no-holds barred manner. What has been, and still is, taboo for many is not for her. She brings current issues plaguing our society to the surface and forces the reader to acknowledge them. This is the first book I've read by Poppy Z Brite, and it most certainly will not be my last. Brite is the type of author who demands attention. If you are a fan of dark literature then give Brite a try!

Caution: Highly Recommended

I cannot for the life of me understand why I love this book. Homosexual serial killers? Not really my cup of tea. However, Exquisite Corpse was fantastic! I have never read anything quite like it before. It challenged my narrow world view, consumed my mind as I read it, and afterwards it left me in a stunned stupor. The book is immensely readable, Brite has a real talent for the nuts and bolts of language. She can hold the reader in the palm of her hand, and then squeeze, leaving them gasping for breath, but begging for more. As much as I love this book, I know it isn't for everyone. After I finished it, I recommended it to all my friends and family. I found that approximately two out of three people, that I persuaded to pick it up, either liked or loved the book. The third person in general was disgusted. The beauty of Exquisite Corpse though, is that within a very short period of time, you will know if you are that third person.

Proceed with extreme caution

So you're a Poppy Z. Brite fan? Read Drawing Blood? Read Wormwood? Read Lost Souls? Consider yourself able to handle anything she could possible deal out? Think again. Do not read this book just because you loved her other work, and certainly don't read it if you've never read her other works. There are things in this book that you can never un-read; she makes you feel things you can never forget. Granted, all you hardcore fans out there won't head this warning- I certainly wouldn't have. So do go right ahead, and when you are done you will know what I'm refering to. All of which is not to say that this is not an incredible book- as always, Poppy Z. Brite is the master of descriptions so vivid that they make you feel, smell, or taste her words. And that is what makes this book so profoundly disturbing and so utterly unforgettable.

Gross and Intertaining

The few things I've read by this author in the past have not impressed me -- more splatterpunk than anything else. I was browsing through the mystery section at the book store and stumbled across this (obviously this book was in the wrong place). The back made is sound good, so I decided to read a few pages -- I was hooked! One of the serial killers describes a young man he picked up who had a tatoo across his neck that said "Cut Here" so the serial killer merely had to follow the directions! (this is on the 2nd page!)The book is extremely gory -- for those of you who have a weak stomach you might want to pass on this one.AIDS is a theme throughout the book. I found myself thinking how true some of her points were about the amount of research being done to find a cure and the extremes some people might feel like going to so that a cure could be focused on.This is the best book I have read by this author -- and ranked in my top books I have read. This book is a must read for anyone who is into horror -- but it might spoil you for others...