Uglybugly
By Lars Ramslie
2004
First Published
3.29
Average Rating
400
Number of Pages
Set in a fictional time that somewhat resembles the turn of the last century, this is a dark, burlesque fantasy of Siamese twins. But these are Siamese twins with a difference, in that they are male and female; a scientific impossibility. Outcasts of society, Earl and Betty have scraped a living in an underworld of freak shows, across the Pond. Now they have returned home to Bigtown where they are given shelter by the local bordello owner, Mr King, an amputee with an eye for Betty. Here the twins meet a band of show wrestlers, including a consumptive who spits blood in the ring at the required moments, Spinks, the indefatigable dwarf who trains Earl in boxing, Tim the "coloured guy" whom the racist Earl learns to respect, and, finally, Uncle Rust, the morphine abuser, loveable, intelligent, loyal, who creates an exquisite "flea city." When Mr King gets nasty these are the friends to whom the twins turn. Compellingly written, this is a book that walks a delicate line between the grotesque and sublimely beautiful. Uglybugly is a deeply human book, which explores themes of responsibility for our fellow human beings. "Have you ever felt guilt for another person's suffering?" Earl asks the self-satisfied citizens of Littletown.
Avg Rating
3.29
Number of Ratings
42
5 STARS
12%
4 STARS
26%
3 STARS
43%
2 STARS
17%
1 STARS
2%
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Author
Lars Ramslie
Author · 5 books
Lars Ramslie (born 1974) is a Norwegian novelist. He made his literary début in 1997 with the novel Biopsi, for which he was awarded the Tarjei Vesaas' debutantpris. His novel Fatso from 2003 was basis for a film from 2008. (Source)
