Comfort and Critique

Peter Sotos

Peter Sotos returns with his seventh book of scathing social commentary, Comfort and Critique. Well, perhaps "scathing" is no longer the correct term; Sotos is definitely mellowing in his old age. He's also staying on topic a good bit more than he used to; this slim (150 pages of text, and a photo essay almost as long) is an extended reflection on the recent murder of Sarah Payne, the detention of her killer Roy Whiting, and the sometimes inexplicable antics of Payne's parents, the tabloid press in Britain, and armed bands of vigilantes in the year or so following the discovery of her body. Now, don't be alarmed, Sotos fans, there's still divergences into adult bookstore back rooms, peepshows, and all the other delights that make Sotos' books well worth your time and attention. But there are fewer of them, pound for pound, than we got in Special, Tick, Index, etc.

But, you know, when it comes right down to it, writing a review for a Peter Sotos book is pretty counterproductive. Either you know what you're going to get and you're going to buy it anyway, you know what you're going to get and will avoid it like the plague, or have no idea, and should thus be starting at the beginning with Total Abuse. While Sotos' books aren't a series per se, it makes reading Sotos that much more interesting to follow along over the years and see how his voice has changed.

As always, worthwhile.