Before the tragedy six years ago, he was an aspiring actor. After years roaming the country, Gabriel discovers an underground ring of knife duelists in a suburban Miami neighborhood. Led by a middle-class entrepreneur named Lopez, every evening a group of outcasts, psychopaths, and desperate young men and women gather in Lopez’s living room for knife fights as Lopez films the duels in an attempt to sell the content online. The fights are structured so the participants are treated after the fights, and maximum safety is ensured. However, all of that is starting to change. A group within the group, led by the charismatic and fearless Fred, takes Gabriel in and soon discovers Lopez is changing the rules to ensure a deadlier outcome. But after the death of one of their own, the group realizes if they don’t rise up against Lopez, a similar fate awaits them. For Gabriel, in order to overcome his past, he has to relive it.
When I first saw the trailer for Adam Cushman's debut novel, Cut I knew I had to pick up a copy. In case you haven't seen it yet, go watch it first. I'll wait.
The novel follows a failed actor into the surprisingly brutal world of suburban knife fighting. The sub-culture Cushman develops over the course of the novel echoes some of the themes in Fight Club - people with nothing to lose finally figuring out how to live through violence.
The book is precarious in the best of ways - there are few books able to keep me uneasy and wondering which way things are going to fall for Gabriel, the main character. Whether he's on the run or gripping the sweaty handle of a knife in someone's living room, you're always waiting for the next slice to come and start the bleeding. I've never been in a knife fight, but based on the picture Cushman paints, this book is one giant allegory. An adrenaline rush that's plenty crazy and soaked in blood.
I have no idea of suburban knife fighting actually exists. I imagine it's not the type of thing you can check into on Foursquare. The thing I enjoyed most about this book is how, in a relatively compressed amount of pages (the book is on the same order as Drive short and direct), Cushman has fabricated an entire subculture with words alone. You can taste the blood, feel your heart race and can't help but wonder if your neighbor is hiding scars under his dress shirt.
I was tempted to award 2 stars but the clever and funny chapter 17 changed my mind. The gruesome theme of a knife fighting club is gross. All of the characters are freaking losers who find justification for maiming and killing . I recommend that you don't snack while you read this book. I don't know what else to say.
great book! Kept me wanting to read more with the twists and turns, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. The detail was amazing and terrifying with a twist of laughter here and there. I wanted to read more just wish the book was longer! Adam Cushman has been added to my list as one of my favorite authors love reading books like this!