THE ONION EATERS

by J. P. Donleavy ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 12, 1971

A pair of balls dangling between the cheeks of the arse makes a marvellous target."" And how about three of them -- would that be bigger? better? funnier? In the beginning one is willing to succumb to Mr. Donleavy's low-and-inside construct particularly since his energy is as insurgent as ever -- as is all the ribald blague set within an 'istoric home, the Charnel Castle, which falls to one Clayton Clementine, illustrious descendant of the ""testicular trinity."" There are servants including the cook, Miss Ovary; there's a coffin room empty ""for the time being"" and of course a cellar ""frothing with life""; and there's a visitation of most strange scientists and assorted local folk including the Lord and Lady of Macfugger -- milady is ready to take any situation and Clementine in stride. As always, Mr. Donleavy seems to run out of a story before he runs out of words and one is numbed by all the organic humor proceeding from kidneys to genitals. But then the onion gives one ""a long life free from heart congestion. Reducing eye wobbling, staggers and diarrhea."" Apparently one must eat lots of onions.

Pub Date: July 12, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1971

Categories: FICTION