Title: The Suicide Shop
Author: Jean Teulé
First published January 4, 2007
169 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781906040093 (ISBN10: 1906040095)
Rating: 3.48
Overview
Are you tired of living in a world that has lost all hope? Look no further than The Suicide Shop, where the Tuvache family has been helping customers end their lives for generations.
With a wide range of options to fit any budget, the Tuvaches take pride in their morbid service. But when the youngest member of the family shows a newfound love for life, it threatens to upend their contented misery.
Set in a future world of environmental chaos, The Suicide Shop is a darkly humorous tale of family, life, and death.
About the Author
Meet Jean Teulé, a French novelist who dabbles in various art forms including comic books, television, and film. He started his career in comic book writing and later transitioned into television with shows like L’Assiette Anglaise and Nulle Part Ailleurs on Canal+.
Although Teulé has experience in television, screenwriting, acting, and filmmaking, he is primarily known as a writer. He left all other activities to focus solely on writing and has published several books through Editions Julliard, including Rainbow pour Rimbaud (1991), L’Œil de Pâques (1992), Ballade pour un père oublié (1995), Darling (1998), Bord cadre (1999), Longues Peines, Les Lois de la gravité, Ô Verlaine ! (2004), Je, François Villon (2006), Le Magasin des suicides (2007), and Le Montespan (2008).
All of his books are available in pocket editions through Pocket Publishing.
In addition to writing, Teulé has also published several comic books that feature edited photos. Fun fact: he is in a relationship with actress Miou-Miou.
Editoral Review
Jean Teulé’s The Suicide Shop is a darkly comic and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of mortality, depression, and the human condition. In this book, Teulé transports readers to a world where suicide is not only accepted but actively encouraged.
Set in a dystopian future, The Suicide Shop tells the story of the Tuvache family, who run a shop that specializes in selling items that make suicide easier and more enjoyable. Despite living in a society that values death over life, the Tuvache family struggle to maintain their business in the face of changing attitudes towards suicide.
Teulé’s writing style is witty and engaging, and he effortlessly blends existential angst with humor to create a unique and memorable reading experience. The characters in the book are well-developed and distinct, each with their own flaws and motivations.
The setting of the novel is also richly imagined, with details that bring the world of the Tuvache family to life.
While The Suicide Shop is a work of fiction, it touches on real-world issues and can be read as a commentary on society’s attitudes towards mental health and suicide.
Teulé’s writing is both compassionate and critical, allowing readers to reflect on their own perceptions of life and death.
One of the strengths of the book is its ability to balance dark subject matter with moments of levity.
Teulé is able to find humor in situations that would otherwise be bleak, and this adds a layer of nuance to the novel.
However, some readers may find the book’s focus on suicide and death to be overwhelming or disconcerting.
Additionally, the novel’s pacing can be slow at times, which may make it difficult for some readers to maintain their engagement.
Overall, The Suicide Shop is a thought-provoking and well-crafted novel that explores complex themes with sensitivity and humor.
While it may not be for everyone, readers who are willing to engage with the book’s darker elements will find it to be a rewarding and memorable read.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
