The Tax Inspector

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Far from Carey's best - Rated
I bought 'The Tax Inspector' on the strength of the glowing reviews here, and having previously enjoyed several of Peter Carey's other books. Now, it seems I may be in the minority on this one, but I found this book a real let-down.
Yes, it's written well and maybe he's portraying the real world with all of its flaws, but the characters are such a miserable bunch of troubled souls and misfits that I didn't really care about any of them. I found the ending pretty unsatisfying too.
I can't imagine recommending this book to anyone I know - if you're looking for a Peter Carey to read, I'd say try 'Oscar and Lucinder' or 'My Life as a Fake' before picking up this one.

Phenomenal - Rated
This book is simply phenomenal. I've just finished it for the second time, and once again it grips you and fills you with dread, right up to the last page. The characters are sharply drawn and totally believable, and the build up of suspense is unbearable at times.

This is a fabulous book that deserves more stars than five!

Scarey, fascinating, wierd, this is an addictive book - Rated
I had no pre-concieved ideas about this book. Good job too. Nothing could have prepared me for the plot, nor the great array of characters. At first I thought of them as dysfunctional-but then started to see some familiar threads with 'real' people!

Almost Auster-esque in content at times, this is one of those books that at once disturbs and fascinates. And for me some 4 months later still find myself thinking about it. Especially the ending. Brilliant. How can people write this stuff?

Go on. Try it.

One of the best books I've read all year... a real surprise! - Rated
I bought this book knowing nothing about it, but from the first moment, I knew I was going to love this.

Take a trip into the world of the Catchprices, a disparate, disfuntional family. With a twisted half angel half demon, a hare krishna, a country and western singer and Granny Catchprice the matriarch, the would-be flower grower; all living within the dark and desperate confines of their car-selling business. Their lives are turned upside down and inside out by a well-meaning, heavily pregnant tax-inspector.

This book takes a long hard look at families and their conections, and how the past will always catch you up! It is about hidden secrets and dark histories, and is not always an easy read. But the language in this book is simply breathtaking. It is both simple and profound, but also highly complex and sophisticated. And is simply amazing.

Read this book. It is dark at times, but is never morbid or depressing. Truly beautiful.