THE BUTCHER'S WIFE

by Ang Li ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 20, 1986

A magnificently gory morality tale, set in a Taiwan village of the 1930's and based on the true-life story of an equally bloodcurdling Shanghai murder case. Li Ang is the pen name for a Taiwanese feminist writer born in 1952, and this, her first novel, caused a scandal in Taiwan due to its incendiary (read violent, sexually repugnant) nature. Told in clear-as-a-bell prose (aided by a fine translation), the story is starkly repellent--about Pig-Butcher Chen, a beefy man in his 40s who has eyes (like all of his trade, we're told) covered with rolls of fat, and his abuse of his skinny, waif-like wife, Lin-shi, who can't bear the sight of blood--unfortunately for her. Not only is her sex life a constant assault, but her husband slaps, shoves, starves and insults her, finally forcing her to take a job cleaning entrails in his slaughterhouse while he joyfully hacks up pigs. When Lin-shi can take it no more, she grabs the knife Pig-Butcher has brought to their bed--threatening to disembowel her if she doesn't howl with sufficient volume at his sadistic lovemaking (he adores hearing women scream--just like pigs)--and dissects him with it, neatly employing the knowledge gleaned from watching her husband at his place of work. While disposing of his expertly quartered remains, she is apprehended by a neighbor and sentenced to death for taking a lover--for, as the Chinese believe, ""There's no murder without adultery"" (why else would one murder a husband?). Feminism with a vengeance--and pretty gut-wrenching stuff, served up in its razor-sharp prose. As for the point, only that may be a little heavy-handed, or transparent.

Pub Date: Nov. 20, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: North Point

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1986

Categories: FICTION