Delicious

by Mark Haskell Smith

When the greedy owner of a Las Vegas movie catering company tries to muscle in on a local, family-owned business in Honolulu, it leaves a very bad taste in the mouths of the natives, and the battle for paradise begins for Joseph, a young Hawaiian chef. As far as Joseph's father Sid is concerned, this is an invasion on par with Captain Cook and the mainlanders have to be stopped at all costs. As Joseph defends his family he encounters a TV producer rebounding from a bad breakup and suffering from an unrelenting chemically induced erection, the producer's androgynous New Age-y assistant, and a trash-talking lap-dance-addicted stroke survivor. Adding to this frenetic luau is Joseph's old-school Polynesian uncle, his bodybuilder cousin, and his politically correct, retro-Hawaiian girlfriend. With the lines drawn and the locals breathing fire down their necks, the Sin City boys decide to enlist the services of an ecstasy-popping ex-Marine hit man. Then things go horribly wrong-or, depending on how you look at it, just right. Mark Haskell Smith's Delicious is an uproarious, delectably dark mystery that offers a take on Hawaii that definitely hasn't been endorsed by the tourist bureau.

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Humor

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2005

About the author

Mark Haskell Smith is the author of seven novels with one word titles, most recently Blown and Memoires, and three nonfiction books including Rude Talk in Athens and Naked at Lunch.

He lives in Los Angeles. He likes Mexican food.

Reviews

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a vulgar yet addicting read. I don't really know if I can say more than that really. I was so surprised by how into this book I got. The only reason it took me so long to read it was because I didn't have a lot of time to sit down and read it.

This is almost one of those novels you just have to read to know what I'm talking about. I'm still trying to figure out why I liked it so much.

There were multiple story lines coming out of one central plot, but all of them were developed, interesting and added to the story in unique ways. The same goes for all the characters, you pretty much appreciated them all in their own ways. Though it was kind of hard with Jack who was an ass and Reggie who was plain annoying, but then again that just made the characters.

Smith's writing was one of my favorite and one of the best things about Delicious. He's so vivid and descriptive about things so you have no trouble seeing it. It's actually both a blessing and a curse to the reader, specifically in his descriptions of food and eating (which crops up a lot) and it can either make you hungry or sick depending on how he wants you to feel. The same goes towards his descriptions of people, settings and sex.

Maybe I kept reading this book because I was drawn to it the same way people are drawn to a car accident or Paris Hilton. And more than likely you'll be drawn to it too. I'll warn you again, though, despite the wry, weird humor running rampant in the novel, the kind that makes you laugh while shaking your head, there is a lot of sex, some violence and much profanity. But I found it gave the novel a little flavor, some added spice. Dare I say it made the novel... delicious?

[Steven Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent novel from Mark Haskell Smith. This is the 3rd of his novels that I have read (Moist, and Salty being the first two), and one thing that they all have in common is that they had me hooked from the word go and I didn't want to put them down until I reached the end. MHS is an incredible storyteller. His novels remind me of Pedro Almodovar films - they start with several seemingly different story threads that eventually intertwine (or collide) with each other. The characters that he creates are well defined and believable. The stories arch and twist, and are loaded with sex, drugs, crime, suspense, and dark, dark humor.

[Angus McKeogh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic opening and a fair finish. However, parts in the middle and certain storylines dragged a little. Perverse and witty. Overall a novel I enjoyed but perhaps not quite as much as Salty.

[Chic2SD · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a f'ed up book. I loved it. What is wrong with me. I am a dark comedy book lover to the maximum degree? Cannibalism, Male whores, gigglo's, drugs, booze, hitmen, etc.. Whatever that is bad for you this book had it. This is LA Hollywood meets island time in watching a movie producer try and film a movie on the Island. Battling locale customs and trying to work with the Hawaii Union's appear to be a battle for the mainlanders. The Hawaiians appear to be some pretty proud and tough people. I really questioned the thoughts that locale Islanders think of people from the mainland. Is there really the hatred?
This book had a main character who was a chef so the whole time all I can think about was the macaroni salad, steamed fish, etc... Didn't know SPAM was so big out there... Anyways, pretty fun book. 4 stars for sure...

[as_library · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

ma première lecture de l'annéeee💫🎉

ça se lit bien mais sans plus. j'ai trouvé la plume assez vulgaire, souvent pour rien:/

le résumé me tentait grave: l'histoire se passe à Hawaï, un producteur cherche une entreprise qui va nourrir l'équipe du film pendant le tournage, y a un peu une guerre entre deux entreprises, l'une traditionnelle hawaïenne, l'autre qui vient de Vegas.🎬🥭🍹🦩

je m'attendais à un truc super drôle, des pranks bien humoristiques et des sales coups, mais en soi il se passait pas grand chose, on parle mais y a rien qui arrive vraiment, on s'éloigne du synopsis de départ, donc c'est moins passionnant☹️ les personnages sont pas tellement attachants, à part peut-être Joseph mais il est moins présent que les autres j'ai l'impression.

je sais que c'est censé être de l'humour noir mais bon j'ai pas tellement ri alors que normalement je suis assez bon public🫢

y a beaucoup de "discussions" autour de la sexualité, notamment homosexuelle, mais j'ai trouvé que c'était abordé de manière un peu... bizarre? on ne sait pas trop si l'auteur prend au sérieux cette thématique, ou s'il s'en moque, ça m'a semblé assez perturbant, très limite. une remarque que j'ai vu chez quelqu'un d'autre aussi, c'est que y a pas deux femmes qui interagissent, et d'ailleurs il n'y a presque pas de femmes dans le roman (à part les prostituées et les strip teaseuses🫥) donc bon🫠🤔

point positif: j'ai bien aimé l'importance accordée au lieu. ça se passe à Hawaï, et j'ai découvert une nouvelle culture que je connaissais pas du tout, à travers la cuisine notamment! c'était cool:))🙌🏻

une lecture qui m'a donc pas forcément marquée mais je suis contente d'avoir lu quelque chose de moins connu!

[Fezel · Rating 1 out of 5]

ya une page qui parle pas de sexe l'auteur meurt je pense.. ajoutez à ça les adultes (de plus de 35 ans je précise) qui agissent comme des ados franchement...
je pensais sincèrement qu'un des personnages avait 20 ans jusqu'à ce qu'ont dise que ça faisait 20 ans qu'il était plus au lycée 💀💀💀 je vais lire les 100 dernières pages on verra mais j'ai l'impression que ça va pas s'améliorer grandement


gros problème avec ce livre : l'impression que le message qu'il veut faire passer est très très mal amené, contre productif même. Raciste par moment, fait croire que oui coucher avec quelqu'un en échange d'une faveur c'est normal et que c'est comme ça que ça marche
misogyne au possible on a pas vu deux meufs interagir ensemble encore
homophobe a croire alors que la moitié des persos sont gays (que des gays dont un qui se retrouve à montrer son sexe à son assistante parce qu'elle s'est coupé les cheveux à la garçonne..... mouais) franchement j'ai même pas les mots jvous avoue. le premier chapitre m'avait hype et puis depuis tout à disparu 👯
si un mec est beau alors tout est pardonné 😋

malgré les nombreux personnages queer et l'importante part de l'histoire qui tourne autour du rapport homosexuel le livre se lit comme extrêmement heteronormé, blanc malgré le setting?? bref on voit bien que c'est écrit par un HOMME BLANC HÉTÉROSEXUEL
triste et déçue

la fin est nulle.. aucun personnage réellement puni pour ses actions ENFIN BREF j'ai pas aimé quoi

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Joseph, chef
SETTING: Hawaii
RATING: 3.0
WHY: Joe and Sid run a catering business that provides food to screen crews. Their monopoly is threatened when Big Jack Lucey from Las Vegas sets his sights on entering the market. Ostensibly a story of the results of the competition, the book really focuses in on the male sex organ. All of the sexual liaisons and issues really got in the way of the plot, such as it was. There was not one but two men who had permanent erections. Less of all that stuff would have been better for the book. The characters were good. Odd (cannibalism?) but funny at times.

[RODNEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Haskell Smith has written another book where he abuses his characters with violence, misfortune, and cannibalism--that last bit was not expected. Through the beautiful Hawaiian landscape and the infestation of mainland greaseballs, Mark takes readers on a disturbing, but a fun trip across the tourist islands. That is an oversimplified view of the overall story, however, read the damn book and I'm sure you will enjoy the detail around the Hawaiian culture, the beauty of the community, and some insight on how the locals might view the tourist.

The worst part about the book--and it is a big problem--I don't know if I'm ever gonna eat at a luau again. Damn you!!!

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Лихой и бодрый криминальный боевик. Не очень серьёзный, совсем даже не серьёзный. Я бы даже сказал, в духе фильма "Жмурки", хоть никакой связи между ними и нет.

Колоритные персонажи, колоритные тропические Гавайи, колоритные разборки мелкого бизнеса и совсем немножко каннибализма.

Последние страниц 50 дочитывал поздно ночью вместо того чтобы спать, и это тоже положительная характеристика.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hysterically funny true crime book which reminded me of Carl Hiassen's books set in Florida. The setting of this book is Oahu, Hawaii and it is filled with outrageous characters both gay and straight. A disabled racketeer from Las Vegas tries to muscle into the only catering service for film crews in Hawaii with hilarious results. Taboo range from penile implants to ecstasy to cannibalism. What an imagination.

[Marcia Brineman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very unusual...very good book

The pure raunchyness (is that a word?) of this book was strangely acceptable. I laughed out loud at many of the situations. Okay, some of it was a little over the top, but I’m sure that’s what the author was aiming for. Kudos for being able to turn filth into humor and making it okay. For me anyway.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha!

This was quite fun. All the flavor of Hiaason, but in Hawaii and with far more sexual situations. Good characters, good story, good ending--I will be adding Mr. Smith to my list of authors whose books I shall buy.

[Judith A. Benner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

[Karen L48 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not like the ending of this book.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good humorous read.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love vulgar and ridiculous books but this was just ok.

[Lucile · Rating 2 out of 5]

C'est divertissant mais sans plus... Trop de sexe, de drogue et de clichés. La représentation des femmes y est discutable. Je n'ai pas tellelent aimé.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so messed up. I loved it.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great diversion from Mark Haskell Smith.

[Max and Patty Buffington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to a funny writer like Carl Hiassen. Mark Smith did not come close. I finished the book anyway so I suppose it wasn’t terrible.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Haskell Smith is a screenwriter who can't write a proper chapter: instead, he writes scenes separated typographically, each one quickly setting the place and the characters involved. The place is largely the Island of Oahu, although a few interesting bits occur in Las Vegas. As in a Shakespearean comedy, many stories are woven together such that one constantly wonders what each has to do with the others. Something significant happens to each of the characters and each is changed in the end. The stories do finally come together and not in a contrived way. The characters are fascinating people: Native Hawaiians, mobsters, caterers, movie producers, a loveable pimp. The whole novel is sordid: graphic sex, gay sex, graphic gay sex, drug use, lots of drug use. The result is very funny, very well plotted, very clever and very Hawaiian. It was an entertaining read while on the Big Island on vacation but not really recommended for most people who enjoy light foodie fiction.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, the second published work of fiction by Mark Haskell Smith, was excellent. While it was not as compelling as his first novel, this book was grown of a very creative idea and turned into another fascinating read. So far, Mark Haskell Smith's writing is far outside of my typical interest. But the edginess of his stories keep me coming back for more. Tomorrow, I begin his third work of fiction, Salty.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith is really a master of engaging stories. This book is immensely creative and tremendously engaging. It's an action packed romp from beginning to end. Engaging characters, detailed setting, thrilling plot- this book has it all. I think "Moist" was even better, but "Delicious" does not disappoint.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed it from a library based upon its Hawaiian setting, an interest in the culinary industry and some of the characters sounded quirky and interesting. I found it to be a little too pornographic for my taste. Reads like a romp of a screenplay, basically, with episodic cross cutting back and forth between different story lines. It would be fine for a light beach read, I suppose.

[Diogenes · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Smith's delightful series of fanciful adventures, this one set in Honolulu (with surprisingly accurate locale descriptions). Enjoyable and frivolous, but captivating, Smith seems balanced between adventure and off-the-wall fantasy. Fast, happy read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Salty, but entertaining all the same. It is funny, but is a bit raunchier than Salty. I liked it but did not love it.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twisted, funny stuff. I winced a few times, but kept laughing. Nice job on getting the Hawaiiana details accurately

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

another fun read from mark haskell smith. perfect vacation reading, especially if you plan to visit hawaii..

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

painfully boring

[Andrew Cheney-Feid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be one of my all-time favorites from this author. The characters (despicable or loving) and setting are winners all the way around.

I finished it in two sittings!