The Death of Bunny Munro

by Nick Cave | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 9781847673763 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingcanongatebookswing on 8/19/2009
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15 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingcanongatebookswing on Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Death of Bunny Munro recounts the last journey of a salesman in search of a soul. Following the suicide of his wife, Bunny, a door-to-door salesman and lothario, takes his son on a trip along the south coast of England. He is about to discover that his days are numbered. With a daring hellride of a plot The Death of Bunny Munro is also a modern morality tale of sorts, a stylish, furious, funny, truthful and tender account of one man’s descent and judgement. The novel is full of the linguistic verve that has made Cave one of the world's most respected lyricists. It is his first novel since the publication of his critically acclaimed debut And the Ass Saw the Angel twenty years ago.

This is starting its BookCrossing journey in a Bookray:

1. inkognitoh (Will ship international)
2. Erishkigal (Will ship to US/Can/Mex)
3. labmomnm (Will ship international)
4. Jare
5. Firegirl
6. NMReader
7. imuzak12 (will ship international)

If you'd like to join this ray, please add a post to this thread (http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/6411953/27) and let me know where you are able to ship to!

Journal Entry 2 by inkognitoh from Port Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Friday, September 25, 2009
Really thrilled to be starting this Ray and am thoroughly looking forward to entering the murky world of Bunny Munro. I've kept my eye/ear on the press this book has received as I'm quite a Nick Cave fan and I think this sounds like it's right up my seedy alley.

Perfect timing on the arrival too as I have a long train journey to make this evening and I'm almost finished the fluffy Stephanie Meyer thing I have with me.


Journal Entry 3 by inkognitoh from Port Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I am a huge fan of Nick Cave's usual macabre view of life via song and verse so I had big expectations of this book. I think it's safe to say that Cave is more a story teller than a writer. This story was very dark, at times extremely confusing and always sickeningly violent. It's hard for me to make this journal entry knowing I'm at the start of the book chain and not wanting to spoil the plot for any further readers but I was very keen for Bunny Munro to redeem himself and very unsure of how he would go about this.

I found the endless (and oftentimes unexplained) sexual violence sometimes difficult to digest but overall the gratuitous sleaze added to the novel. Most of all, I just wanted Bunny Munro to get some eye drops for his son and stop thinking wholey and soley of himself).

Am sending this on to Erishkigal today in the hope that it beats the threatened postal strikes in Britain.

Journal Entry 4 by wingerishkigalwing from Salt Lake City, Utah USA on Saturday, December 26, 2009
I'm guessing this did NOT beat the postal strike, and it has finally arrived in Utah on Boxing Day. long after my poor lousy memory had forgotten it was coming ;-) Given the time of year and how swamped I am with a major prop show (which is proving REALLY difficult!) I won't be able to get started right away, but I shall as soon as I can as I'm looking forward to this ~~ I haven't read Cave previously, but I've heaerd raves!

Thanks for including me!!

Journal Entry 5 by wingerishkigalwing from Salt Lake City, Utah USA on Saturday, January 23, 2010
I'm afraid I only got half-way thru this. I don't know if it's time of year (didn't need a book that depressed me), or only having reading time in bed (found Bunny way too creepy to keep sleeping with), or just tired of waiting for Bunny to join SLAA, take care of his son's eyes, or otherwise start redeeming himself. Anyway, I got super busy with a show, the book sat...and sat... and I finally realized, I just don't want to spend anymore time with/in Bunny Munro. I appreciate your giving me a shot at this~~thanks for the opportunity ~~ oh, and I do love the irony of the cover pic and Bunny :-)

I'll have this in the mail to labmomm sometime this week.

ps ~~SLAA= Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

delivery confirmation: 0309 2880 0001 3735 3864

Journal Entry 6 by winglabmomnmwing from Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on Thursday, February 4, 2010
Arrived in the mail; I'm halfway through my current book & will start this next.

Love the cover!

Journal Entry 7 by winglabmomnmwing from Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on Friday, February 19, 2010
I signed up for this because I really like Nick Cave's songs; hadn't read any of his books. I wasn't able to get very far into this at all...just not the right book for me. Darkness in fiction is OK, but this was a step past that (at least!) and beyond what I want to spend time with in book form. Will try to pass along to Jare this weekend. Thanks for sending this out as a ray.

Journal Entry 8 by winglabmomnmwing at By hand, by hand -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, February 21, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (2/21/2010 UTC) at By hand, by hand -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Gave to Jare

Journal Entry 9 by wingjarewing from New Port Richey, Florida USA on Sunday, February 21, 2010
This arrived in my hands as my daughter and I were about to have lunch today! Thanks for passing along. I'm just about done with my current read, so this one is next, then I'll pass on to firegirl!

Journal Entry 10 by wingjarewing from New Port Richey, Florida USA on Friday, March 12, 2010
I finished this book late last night. I'll have to admit that I almost threw in the towel about 1/3 of the way through, it just didn't seem to be going anywhere. But I stuck with it because I was very curious to see what kind of story the great Nick Cave would write. I'm glad I held on, it turned out to be an interesting tale. I think one would have to know him and his music to really be able to enjoy this, but perhaps not. I will contact firegirl and hand this off to her soon! Thank you for sharing!

Journal Entry 11 by wingjarewing from New Port Richey, Florida USA on Friday, March 12, 2010
I forgot to mention a somewhat funny story relating to my reading of this book. When I started reading it, an old friend commented to me that last year she was taking her dog in to the vet and who should be walking out of the building but Nick Cave himself. With his pet rabbit, no less!

Will hand off to firegirl this weekend.

Journal Entry 12 by wingjarewing at Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on Sunday, March 14, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (3/14/2010 UTC) at Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Handed off to firegirl today.

Journal Entry 13 by Firegirl from Tucson, Arizona USA on Sunday, March 14, 2010
Got from Jare today. Thanks!

Journal Entry 14 by Firegirl from Tucson, Arizona USA on Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Finished this one up last week, just being a slacker on journaling it. I thought it was okay. It was less strange than I had anticipated (and wanted); mostly just overly sexual. There were some minor weird elements to it, but I've read so much odder things that this left me a little disappointed. I am not familiar with Cave's music either; maybe I would have appreciated it more had I done a little musical research prior to reading it. It wasn't a bad book and made for a pretty quick read, I just wasn't all that crazy about it. Will pass on to NMReader soon.

Journal Entry 15 by Firegirl at Albuquerque, New Mexico USA on Monday, April 19, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (4/20/2010 UTC) at Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES: I'd hoped to hand this off while I was back in DC but it didn't work out so I'll be posting this on instead. Sorry for the delay! Counts as part of the "Keep Them Moving" release challenge.

Journal Entry 16 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Monday, April 26, 2010
Arrived on Sat

Journal Entry 17 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Sunday, May 16, 2010
Status update: I started the book last night. I am reading concurrently with some other books. It will take awhile to complete.

May 18: Not my favorite of the books I am reading concurrently
May 19: Having a hard time getting into this book. I am going to try concentrating more fully on it starting tomorrow.
May 20: Read on the elliptical trainer this morning. I hope to devote more time to reading it and get it finished soon.
May 24: I am approximately half way through the book. Bunny is taking Bunny Junior on sale's call with him. I keep hoping the book will get better

Journal Entry 18 by NMReader at Herndon, Virginia USA on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
I have finished this book! I was not sure what to expect when I signed up for this book but I am pretty sure this wasn't it. I know I enjoyed the last hundred pages far more then the rest of the book (not sure it wasn't just happiness to know it would soon be done or if it was that I enjoyed it more).

I read other peoples journal entries after I have finished reading (avoiding spoilers) and noticed that some said they thought knowing Nick Cave's music made this better or more understandable. I suppose it is possible.

I might try an one of his novels but if it was like this i wouldn't feel compelled to finish it.

Journal Entry 19 by NMReader at Herndon, Virginia USA on Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (5/26/2010 UTC) at Herndon, Virginia USA

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Hope to drop at the PO after work.

Journal Entry 20 by imuzak12 at Corpus Christi, Texas USA on Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Received by mail today@Corpus Christi, Texas. I'm really curious of what's like to read Nick Cave's book.

Journal Entry 21 by imuzak12 at Corpus Christi, Texas USA on Saturday, July 3, 2010
I read this book because I am a fan of Nick Cave. If you are not, I may not recommend to read it. Personally, I was able to enjoy(?) more when I remembered of his music and imagined that he was reading aloud for me. If you can listen its audiobook, it would be much great. Even if you don't, you can listen some chapters of audiobook and video on its website.

You can say the ending was predictable. The first 250 pages or so was written for the ending. Bunny is a disgusting creature, no doubt. If his addiction was other than sex, such as drug, Bunny's character wouldn't be as abominable as it was. It didn't cause any pity or sympathy; it's just simply disgusting. Was it Nick's intention? I don't know. Since this man's addiction was sex (or pxxxy to be specific, Bunny would say), Nick may named this man Bunny. The problem is, though, I cannot stop think of Bunny Munro whenever I see the word "bunny". I went to grocery shopping and picked up a pack of baby carrot. The package had name printed: Bunny-Luv. Then I instantly remembered of Bunny Munro and his ugly addiction. I felt funny and slightly unpleasant at the same time...... I hope this symptom will go away soon...

I am the last person of this book ray, so I need to find the next reader. Since BC site is redesigned, I cannot search who put this book on their wishlist. I probably need to post a new book-ray thread on the forum.

Journal Entry 22 by imuzak12 at Corpus Christi, Texas USA on Friday, October 29, 2010
I am organizing bookray for this book now.
Forum link is here
http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/444553

Mailing list- as of 11.21.10
1) Bloedengel (Belgium; ship anywhere)
2) anathema-device (Austria; ship anywhere)
3) caterinax (Greece; prefer shipping in Europe)
4) Jujuks (Portugal; prefer shipping within EU)
5) Wichtelkoenigin (Germany; ship anywhere)
6) Cassandra2020 (UK; ship anywhere)
7) allthesepieces (US; prefer shipping to North America) <== mailing order is changed as below.

I am planning to mail it out by the end of next week.
11.08.10-
I did mail it but came back due to post office's error. I need to go back to post office again!! It's not Thanksgiving yet and too early to make mistakes like this before the busy holiday season.

June 4, 2011-----------------------------------------------------
Since Cassandra2020 cannot reach allthesepieces and I received a request from a member in Europe, I rearranged the mailing list as follow.
6) Cassandra2020 (UK; ship anywhere)
7) Nakipa (Portugal; ship anywhere)
8) allthesepieces (US; prefer shipping to North America)

I'll check with allthesepieces and find if s/he is still around and wish to read this book. I will add update here as soon as I find anything.

June 14, 2011-----------------------------------------------------
Since there is no response from allthesepieces as of today, this book ray is going to end at Nakipa in Portgual.

Journal Entry 23 by imuzak12 at Turnhout, Antwerpen / Anvers Belgium on Sunday, November 14, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (11/13/2010 UTC) at Turnhout, Antwerpen / Anvers Belgium

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mail it from Texas, USA, to Bloedengel as bookray. This is my second attempt of mailing this book. I saw the post office clerk put a form on the envelope with my eyes, so it should start the trip this time, not appearing in my mailbox tomorrow. It is getting close to holiday season, but I hope it won't take that long to reach at its destination.

Enjoy reading!

Journal Entry 24 by wingbloedengelwing at Turnhout, Antwerpen / Anvers Belgium on Friday, November 19, 2010
I'm a big fan of Nick Cave, and I wanted to read this book for such a long time, I was just totally excited when it popped my doorstep ! Will read it shortly !

Journal Entry 25 by wingbloedengelwing at Turnhout, Antwerpen / Anvers Belgium on Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (12/15/2010 UTC) at Turnhout, Antwerpen / Anvers Belgium

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I've just finished the book which took me quite a bit longer than reading one usually does.
I didn't find it a very easy read, though a very interesting one.
I loved all these metafores, I found so many of them I started wondering whether it was me wishful-inventing them ... or if they were really intended to be there/discovered.

I didn't find any what I'd call sexual violence in it, for instance. The sex that is performed is sooooo lame and passive (date raping unconscious girls ?) it is pathetic. Which is actually what Bunny is. Luckily it's hereditous ... as we get to know when we're introduced to Senior ...
And could this addiction be a longing for a never-fulfilled other, more emotionel need? Like he's not screaming fuck me, but save me ? Who will carry me ?

This is pure modern-age Nietzschian nihilism. Not to offend, but because it doesn't get any better appearantly ... :)
That's why I loved the book. Because it is just what it is. And most of all, because everything fits. I know people like Bunny Senior, the ladies he visits, ...

There was only one thing out of real-life context : the FANTASY, the visiting of the demon. And that was about the most erotic passage I've ever read in fiction. But hey, not a lot of people will agree on this.

In short : I liked reading this book and I'm now sending it on to the next reader, mentionning the thing should be marked 30 plus. Not because of any violent scenes or sexually explicit stories, but because of the emotional-emptyness-violence. That's a lot harder to bear and should be agelisted :)

Journal Entry 26 by anathema-device at Graz, Steiermark Austria on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
This book arrived in my mailbox while I was stuck at Frankfurt airport (my flight got cancelled because of the snow). It took me 24 hours to get back home by train, and after I finally got some sleep, I started reading right away.
This is where I'm coming from: I like Nick Cave's music, and I've read And the Ass Saw the Angel, which I enjoyed tremendously. The Death of Bunny Munro seems to be as different from that as it can get, and I have a feeling that And the Ass Saw the Angel might have more to do with Nick Cave's songs than Bunny. At least the old ballads. (Uh-oh, now that I think about it... maybe this is more like Grinderman... Fellow fans, you know what I mean).
Anyway, I'm really curious. And thanks for adding the card and the quote from VNV Nation, Bloedengel. I've listened to a lot of VNV Nation on my way to work for the past months, and I think I know what you mean. :)
(to be continued...)

Journal Entry 27 by anathema-device at Graz, Steiermark Austria on Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Finished over the holidays. I think it's a good book in its way, and my Grinderman theory might still hold as well (especially considering the titles of the three parts, and the recurring truck). Have you noticed the repetition of elements connected to Bunny's wife and home (e.g. canary yellow)? This gives me a feeling that he's being haunted even before he begins to think so himself. What I like most is how Bunny is constantly "on the road" but never actually going anywhere. Maybe a crucial point to get the most out of this pretty uncomfortable story. All in all, I guess I found it an interesting read, but I prefer And the Ass Saw the Angel by far.
Thanks for letting me participate in this bookring. I've contacted caterinax and will send her the book as soon as I have her address.

Journal Entry 28 by anathema-device at Graz, Steiermark Austria on Monday, January 24, 2011
This book just came back to me in the mail.
Apparently the address caterinax told me does not exist, or not in that form.
Will ask again, and if everything else fails, I'll probably skip her and just send it to Jujuks instead.

Journal Entry 29 by anathema-device at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (1/25/2011 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Second try - good luck, Bunny!

Journal Entry 30 by caterinax at Thessaloniki - Θεσσαλονίκη, Thessaloniki Greece on Friday, February 4, 2011
Got it today in the post.

Journal Entry 31 by caterinax at Thessaloniki - Θεσσαλονίκη, Thessaloniki Greece on Thursday, March 3, 2011

Released 13 yrs ago (3/2/2011 UTC) at Thessaloniki - Θεσσαλονίκη, Thessaloniki Greece

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

As the book is now in the post and heading to Portugal and Jujuks, I took some time to think about it. I found that it took me longer to finish than other books of its size. I couldn't concentrate on it easily and it was a few chapters in that I got absorbed in it. I liked the vivid, unusual metaphors and the haunting details, the blend of realism with fantasy - although I didn't care for the encounter with the devil. Bunny is an utter waste of space, but his story of purposeless wandering just impressed on me the depths of despair and evil some people will sink in. He seemed like a man trapped in his cravings, unable to escape and thus descending into madness. Maybe he was asking to be 'saved' instead of 'fucked' just before he died, as a reader has previously pointed out. Still, I didn't care for the apology bit/chapter - or rather, alhthough I'm sure he felt sorry, he did cause irrevokable damage to so many people that this chapter seems like an unjustifiable absolution of sins.
So, it is in the post, will hopefully arrive soon to Lisbon :-)

Journal Entry 32 by Jujuks at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Monday, March 28, 2011
Book arrived Friday. Thanks for sending it Caterinax.

Journal Entry 33 by Jujuks at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Finished reading book and I got say that I didn't enjoy it, at all. Bunny just seemed way too pathetic and unlikeable to me.

I've been trying to contact Wichtelkoenigin but have been unsuccessful so far, I'll wait a few days.

Journal Entry 34 by Jujuks at Roslin, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, May 13, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (5/12/2011 UTC) at Roslin, Scotland United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

The book is on it's way to Cassandra2020.

Journal Entry 35 by wingCassandra2020wing at Roslin, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Arrived in the post today! Typical I'd just started a new book on my way home from work, so it may be a few days before I start reading this. Thanks to jujuks for posting :-)

Journal Entry 36 by wingCassandra2020wing at Roslin, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, May 30, 2011
Deeply disturbing book, deeply unpleasant character, but surprisingly readable.

Bunny Munro is a door to door saleman dealing in cosmetics. He is an abuser: drink, women, drugs - generally everything I hate a person to be. He seems to be constantly fixated on his next sexual encounter and cares for no-one and nothing else. Early in the book, his wife commits suicide and he has sole responsibility for his 9 year old son. This changes nothing, he takes his son on the road and leaves him in the car whilst he 'sells' - more often whilst he makes his next conquest. Even at his wife's funeral he finds a toilet so that he can self-gratify. All the way through the book I just wanted him to take note of his son and at least buy him some eye-drops!

There are so many examples of things that were unpleasant and disturbing but I don't want to dwell on them or enumerate them all plus there would be no point in anyone else reading the book if I detailed it all here.

Another thing that grated for me, was that although set in Brighton (UK) its language is all wrong. It struck me as American, but I guess as Nick Cave is an Australian, it must be similar there. One example: his wife was taken away on a gurney - we would say stretcher, but there were many, many more examples where Americanisms are used rather than the British way of speaking.

Ok, on the plus side, I found it surprisingly readable, took me a couple of days. I can't say I'm a big fan of Nick Cave but it was definitely worth reading one of his books, just for the experience.

So, done that, don't ever need to read anything of his ever again!

(Just read through the comments of previous reviewers and find that we're mostly in agreement. What I am now wondering is: were the previous readers all female? I wonder whether a male reader would be more sympathetic to the character or not? Would they have a different perspective on it all? I hope not entirely!)

Journal Entry 37 by wingCassandra2020wing at Roslin, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, June 25, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (6/25/2011 UTC) at Roslin, Scotland United Kingdom

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posted out to Nakipa - hope you enjoy reading :-)

Journal Entry 38 by wingNakipawing at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
This big one arrived today. I0ll be reading it as soon as I possibly can and then I'll try to keep it moving again. Thanks so much imuzak12 for the opportunity to read this one (I see now you're from Corpus Christi, been there many times although with not enough time to visit properly). :P

Journal Entry 39 by wingNakipawing at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Sunday, March 25, 2012
I tried, believe me I tried but I just don't like the characters and I don't like his writing... well, at least I tried! :D

Journal Entry 40 by wingNakipawing at Limerick, Co. Limerick Ireland on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Released 12 yrs ago (3/28/2012 UTC) at Limerick, Co. Limerick Ireland

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RABCK going to Ireland. I hope you enjoy. :D

Journal Entry 41 by Esme-Weatherwax at Limerick, Co. Limerick Ireland on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Thanks Nakipa for this wish list book, the book mark and the tea.

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