Critical Appraisal
Humanities and Social Sciences Online calls the Meat is Murder! a "gruesome but fascinating tour through the anthropological, criminological, literary, and cinematic history of cannibalism". Reviewer Philip Simpson judges that the book is "compelling" and takes a scholarly approach to its subject matter. The Headpress Guide to the Counter Culture (2004) points out that Brottman is not condescending to her subject matter, but criticizes the book for its lengthy film synopses. The review also deems the illustrations in the book to be of a poor quality. The Journal of Popular Culture writes that Brottman's theories as to the communal ties created through the horror of the subject of cannibalism are "argued persuasively".
Reviews reprinted at the book's publisher's site include Total Film, which calls Brottman's work, "worryingly exhaustive, hungrily informed," and Terrorizer which writes that the book is "an informed study of both cultural and cinematic cannibalism... combines meticulous research with a fascinating insight into the origins of cannibalism, infamous real-life perpetrators and the celluloid treatment of the subject." Film Review labeled the book, "An excellent study of cannibal culture."
Read more about this topic: Meat Is Murder (book)
Famous quotes containing the words critical and/or appraisal:
“Much of what contrives to create critical moments in parenting stems from a fundamental misunderstanding as to what the child is capable of at any given age. If a parent misjudges a child’s limitations as well as his own abilities, the potential exists for unreasonable expectations, frustration, disappointment and an unrealistic belief that what the child really needs is to be punished.”
—Lawrence Balter (20th century)
“Do your children view themselves as successes or failures? Are they being encouraged to be inquisitive or passive? Are they afraid to challenge authority and to question assumptions? Do they feel comfortable adapting to change? Are they easily discouraged if they cannot arrive at a solution to a problem? The answers to those questions will give you a better appraisal of their education than any list of courses, grades, or test scores.”
—Lawrence Kutner (20th century)