Set in the 18oos in England, the author has had a laugh at language, the class systems, social mores (God forbid one was labelled a 'nancy boy') and socially accepted addictions, primarily the using of laudanum and its effects.
The premise is about a young man, Thomas Timewell, who decides to honour his late grandfather's wishes (donating his body to science) so he steals into the graveyard to inter the freshly buried body. It is here that he meets a professional body snatcher, Plenitude, who soon recruits Thomas due to his alacrity with corpse removal and his uncanny charm and good looks. From this point we meet 'demons', a naked gypsy, a 14 year old entrepreneur, an abusive teacher, a sexual pervert (his mother's friend), Thomas' drugged-out mother and his best friend who is accused of being a 'nancy-boy', amongst others. The settings focus around graveyards but let's not forget the tannery which contains a basement full of severed human heads!
The man continues to curse me, his head next to mine. Abruptly, I'm aware of what I must do to save my life. As my assaulter damns me, I thrust myself at the earth with all my strength and pull my torturer with me. In a split second I am on the ground. There is a bestial scream and my arms are released. Gasping, I turn around. The giant is staggering backwards. The sharp end of the stake has punctured him. He covers his bloody face with both hands and collapses. Next to the grave the stake still protrudes from the ground, its point wet. (pp. 66-7)
From time to time the anatomists don't accept the corpses. It can be for any number of reasons. Sometimes they won't take them because they remind them of their mothers. Funny, really. As if that would put you off. Anyway, if we can't sell a body to the anatomists, it's a wasted trip. So, occasionally, we sell them to pie-makers.' (p.142)
I lower my voice. 'I am a body snatcher. Really, I am. I do it for good reasons. I'm a gentleman body-snatcher, you see. Some people want their bodies left to science, but their families won't allow it. It happens almost daily. There is a new interest in anatomy and people want to advance it by leaving their bodies to be dissected. It's in their wills.' (p.196)
The book is labelled as a comedy, and rightly so. If you need a diversion from real life, this novel should be on your go-to list. Uncomplicated. Black. Cheeky. Fun.
