"King teaches us that imperfection comes in all guises..."

• ASIN: ‎ B00KX1QT42
• Publisher: ‎ Createspace (May 30, 2014)
• Publication date: ‎ May 30, 2014
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 241 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN: ‎ 149751911X
• Genre: Literary Satire Fiction

The BookViral Review:

A fascinating first novel from Ian King, ‘The Last Eucharist-A True War Story’, takes us on a journey following ill-gotten war spoils of Vietnam as they pass through many hands, connecting them all in.

Ian King’s narrative displays his usual excellently executed dark humour interlaced with a far-reaching understanding of human nature as his hapless characters move through the pages, their lives complicated by both greed and the need for redemption. 

With undeniable flair and attention to detail, linking each new character firmly to the next, he creates a well-constructed cyclical structure which, despite the intended disarray of his character’s minds, finishes in an unusual but brilliant climax. 

The penultimate twist- unavoidable for all mortals -catches up with his players as King teaches us that imperfection comes in all guises, sometimes evident but often hidden, and reaches into both body and mind, corrupting even the most noble of intentions.

As ever, King’s crafting is top-notch; he demands your attention as he weaves his words through the reality and madness of his character’s lives, exposing only little by little the fascinating path of their hapless existence. The marrying together of sardonic Thomas and the seemingly virginal Sally is especially compelling, as is the strange pull of circumstance which connects each subsequent player to the next. 

Despite his characters oftentimes coming together in awkward and abrasive scenarios, the plot progresses seamlessly, as every intended piece falls perfectly, if not happily, into place. Bittersweet and sensitive on one hand, but bitingly funny and raw on the other, serendipity often turns sour in an irrepressibly amusing way in a clash of highly amusing misadventures.

This is not an easy read- be prepared to have your wits about you- but it is immensely satisfying and unashamedly weird and will leave you thinking about the strangeness of life long after you have turned the last page. For discerning fans of Literary Satire Fiction it is highly recommended.