The Glutton by A. K. Blakemore

Granta Publications Ltd. Paperback. NEW. In the small village of Lyon during the 18th Century, a man known as Tarare was born into a world filled with brawls and the sweet taste of cider. Despite being well-meaning and endlessly curious, Tarare's life was marked by sorrow and scarcity. His mother, still grieving from the loss of her husband, struggled to provide for her son, and they lived a life of meager resources. As the 18th Century drew to a close, France found itself in the midst of unrest, with tensions running high. This turmoil would soon reach the peaceful village where Tarare resided, disrupting the tranquility of their everyday lives. It was during this time of upheaval that an unexpected turn of events would forever change Tarare's fate. A sudden act of violence befell Tarare, resulting in his expulsion from the village and abandonment to the mercy of the elements. Left for dead, Tarare's dire circumstances ignited a voracious hunger within him. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and his appetite became insatiable. But what made Tarare truly remarkable was not just the quantity of food he consumed, but the incredible range of things he devoured. Legends circulated about Tarare's prodigious consumption, stretching the boundaries of belief. Whispers reverberated through the town, sharing tales of him consuming various creatures and even inanimate objects. Some rumors even suggested that he had stooped so low as to devour a child. However, it was difficult for the villagers to reconcile these fantastical stories with the image of the slender and frail man they once knew as Tarare. The Great Tarare, as he came to be known, captured the imagination of those who crossed his path. His extraordinary abilities to consume vast quantities of food turned him into a marvel throughout the land. People flocked from far and wide to witness this spectacle, astounded by his seemingly bottomless appetite. But behind the awe-inspiring facade of The Great Tarare lay a man with a troubled past and a profound sense of loneliness. Exiled from his village and labeled a societal outcast, Tarare found himself yearning for connection and understanding. Although his peculiar talent provided him with a sense of identity and a means of survival, it also reinforced his isolation and left him yearning for acceptance. As the 18th Century came to a close, France continued to be plagued by unrest. The craving for freedom and equality simmered, and the stage was set for the tumultuous events that would unfold during the French Revolution. In the midst of this mounting turmoil, Tarare stood as a living testament to both the astonishing capabilities of the human body and the limits of societal acceptance. The tale of Tarare carries with it echoes of resilience, tragedy, and the relentless pursuit of belonging. His insatiable appetite, born out of deprivation and unleashed by circumstance, forever etched his name into the annals of history. A curious and well-meaning man thrust into a world of turmoil and incredulity, Tarare's story serves as a reminder that even the most extraordinary talents can bring about both wonder and isolation.