| Category: | |
|---|---|
| Author: | Eric Locsh |
| Publisher: | Eric Locsh |
| Publication Date: | May 28, 2021 |
| Number of Pages: | 62 |
| ASIN: | B0965NQH3Z |
Eric Locsh’s Possum Stew (and Other Apocalypse Recipes)
is a darkly comic, immersive tale of survival in a post-apocalyptic America.
The story follows Scott Bryant, a once-famous chef, as he navigates the ruined
outskirts of New York City after a devastating environmental disaster known
only as “the Storm.” He has watched the slaughter of his entire team and
carries the stigma in the very core of his being. In the aftermath, Scott is
captured by violent gangs, loses his sous chef Ted to brutal violence, and
scrambles for survival, sustained by culinary memories and dwindling supplies.
After a harrowing escape, Scott holes up in an abandoned cabin where his desperation
grows to the point of contemplating suicide, only to be saved by the discovery
of precious saffron. His journey leads him to Newark, where he meets Beth, a
resourceful teenager. Together, they forage for food, face off against
dangerous marauders, and eventually find in each other a new recipe for hope,
humor, and strength to endure.
Possum Stew was a quick read, and Locsh’s
worldbuilding, brimming with sensory detail, captivated me. I felt like I was
in front of a big screen, watching a dystopian movie. The author paints a dust-choked, crumbling
Northeast where the trappings of civilization—fine dining, comfort, and even
basic hygiene—are all but erased. The world is rendered not only through bleak
landscapes and ruined cities but also through the scarcity and significance of
food: a can of SpaghettiOs becomes a feast, saffron a lifeline. Scott’s
characterization is masterful; he is equal parts arrogant, broken, and
sympathetic, clinging to culinary rituals as a means to preserve identity.
Beth, with her dry humor and hidden scars, is a foil and eventual anchor. You’re
thrown into a world of survival-of-the-fittest, where violent gangs and
criminals lurk at every corner. I commend the crisp and cinematic writing, the
deft storytelling, and the vivid depictions of the settings. This one will
surely keep you awake through the night.
Hand-picked reviews our authors and readers are loving right now
Essays, author interviews and publishing advice for curious readers and writers.
Discover how to get your book reviewed with our ultimate guide. Learn how to secure editorial book reviews, navigate paid book reviews, and leverage book reviews for authors to boost sales!
Read the article →
The book market is more competitive now than ever. Here are the major changes to know if you want your book to stand out.
Read the article →
What Decades of Book Reviews and Editorial Book Reviews Reveal about Children's Books
Read the article →
A practical guide to building flawed, complex characters readers can still love.
Read the article →
Why Most Self-Help Books Don't Work (And the "Cheat Code" We’re Missing)We are addicted to advice. The self-help industry is worth billions of dollars. Every year, millions of people buy books promising to help them lose weight, start businesses, or find inner...
Read the article →
There is a particular kind of silence that falls in the early hours — not the absence of sound, but the quiet rearrangement of the world before it begins again. A kettle sighs. The light finds its way through the window in thin, precise strokes. In that stilln...
Read the article →
 Mommys_Boy_6x9.jpg)
.jpg)
 (3).jpg)
.jpg)
