A post by Pat
The Chinese version of The Book of Bunny Suicides was pulled from shelves after a spate of attempted suicides by teenagers. A 12-year leaped to his death from the sixth floor apartment where he lived and four other teenagers attempted suicide in the space of a week. A mental health consultant says “Those children suffer from a lack of real love from the family, or they’re suffering heavy study burdens.”
What can be said about the author, Andy Riley?
Shanghai anguishes over schoolchild suicides
The bunny suicide book, by American author Andy Riley, shows a bunny inside a toaster, throwing a boomerang with a live grenade attached, two bunnies sunning themselves on a beach while the other animals file into Noah’s Ark, and other more gruesome scenarios involving helicopter rotor blades, a guillotine, jet engines and so on.
“The book is popular and although its name sounds a bit horrible, it’s actually very funny, full of black humour,” said He Qunxing, marketing manager for Shanghai Dazhong Book Mall, another major local bookstore.
Such books might actually help readers to relieve stress, He said.
Really?
The really sick thing is the reviews at Amazon for this book:
“As much as I hate to admit it, this book is laugh-out-loud funny.” — Curledup.com
“At last, a British Gary Larson. But without the other animals.” — David Baddiel, comedian
“It’s the funniest, bunniest book I’ve ever read.” — Elton John
“Weak stomachs be warned: They get battered, bee-stung, boiled and (ouch) beheaded.” — US Weekly
And here’s a newsflash, Mr. Baddiel, this is nothing like Larson’s “The Far Side.” That series appealed to my (our?) twisted sense of humor, but this is like “Saw” for hares. J
Joe Cartoon is waaaaay funnier.