NY Times Book Review:

"Working titled 'The Carnivore's Surprise,' Rhett Orvin's odd retelling of the classic Michael Pollan ecological, ethical, and culinary masterpiece 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' has been inverted in almost every sense possible. Almost entirely absent of moral conscience, Mr. Orvin depicts two trigger-happy detectives blasting their way through stockyards, paper mills, schools, post offices, carriage tour guide break rooms, and single engine airplanes as they search for the truth behind the mysterious substance 'Krel' that is killing off the natives of Northern Virginia in droves. Where Mr. Pollan offered insight, detail, and solutions, Mr. Orvin spoon feeds the reader gun fights and foul language that grow distasteful as the two detectives dispatch the wrong persons with nary a care. Often glossing over details, the work plays fast and loose with the truth of 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' and brutally understates the most valuable lessons of the original book. The tone suggests that Twitch and Cord, the two detectives, are more interested in emptying boxes of ammo at bad guys than finding a solution to the food problem in America. One particularly odd episode details the ungainly spiritual development of farm animals into a fully sentient, organized society rebelling against their masters, albeit without the Orwellian sensibility. Ridiculously, the animals have gained both speech and an atavistic form of human religion. Apparently, Mr. Orvin hasn't gone to any of the lengths that Mr. Pollan has, such as purchasing a steer and following it to slaughter. If Mr. Orvin had even taken the time to interview a farm animal, he would know that they are incapable of speech.

The point of Mr. Orvin's writing is obtuse at best. Where he aims for humor, he comes across as crass. His attempts to incorporate the findings of 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' generally fall flat as even the densest detectives would be able to figure out the connection between Krel and its source. An oddity at best, this work is suggested only for those that desire intrigue, violence, bad language, and coarse humor. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and flip back through 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' where you'll certainly have a much better chance at wrapping your arms around the food crisis facing America."

Thursday, October 6th, 2011