So, I work in a bookshop, and when people ask me (as they usually do) to recommend a 'good book' the first thing that pops into my seedy little brain is WETLANDS by Charlotte Roche.
Now, don't be fooled by the pretty pink fruity cover...this book is by far one the the grossest books I've ever read (and I do read a lot of twisted fiction) and be warned that you will never want to eat another avocado again in your life.The novel follows an 18year old girl called Helen Memel who is, ahem.. more than naturally curious about her own bodily fluids. We follow her plight as she undergoes medical treatment for..lets just say and unfortunate intimate shaving accident, and reflects on her sexual promiscuity and unusual hygiene habits in increasingly uncomfortable detail. I don't want to give too much of the story line away so I don't intend to say much about the narrative, however my jaw was grazing the floor from page one until the last sentence, and I seriously couldn't put it down until I did reach the last sentence. Then I set it down and proceeded to re-read the entire books again!
The reason I rate this book so highly is because it's incredibly engaging, not just because of the sheer shock factor of the topics discussed but because the text flows so well you forget your reading and feel
like your almost in the hospital bed with her. This book has sold millions world wide, and has been describes as a 'Marmite' books..i.e love it or hate it. I admire Charlotte Roche as she certainly has massive balls to be able to write about issues that are so taboo in such a blasé, give a shit kinda manner. Furthermore Miss Roche
admitted that this book is semi-autobiographical...which is pretty suprising when you see how fresh faced and innocent she looks.
Over all I'd say this book isn't for the faint hearted. Enough to make Russell brand pink in the cheek region. Grow a pair, give it a go! Let me know what you think.
S x
