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"A work of rare genius and truly cult, it deserves a place on your book shelf next to Hubert Selby Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn."
Product Description
Welcome to the bizarre, obsessive world of Alby Starvation. Alby's doctor refuses to believe he's allergic to just about everything (which he is), especially milk. But when Alby soon discovers that his ongoing ailments are directly linked to the consumption of said product, he gives it up and is cured. Only thing is, he goes on to suggest this remedy to a number of other people suffering from milk allergies. In Millar's surreal backyard, the Milk Marketing Board sees sales slump to an all-time low. So there's only one thing left to do: put out a contract on Alby Starvation.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was browsing the bargain bin of a bookshop one day and out of the blue some scruffy bloke handed me a copy of this and said earnestly "Get this one." Eager to get away from him before he could keep talking to me I bought the book. The reason I include this in my review is because looking back on that after reading the book it almost feels like a part of the world Millar weaves, where coincidence toys with the grimy inhabitants of the London punk scene.
This book is awesome. It took me a couple of goes to get into it, but once I did I finished it in no time. Millars fractured writing style is a bit of an acquired taste but is essential to the atmosphere of the book. The bulk of this book is about the comically miserable life of Albi, a paranoid comic book geek living in squalor and hiding from the milk marketing board. A colourful cast of unlikely characters that bob in and out of the narrative, giving the story some really enjoyably uncomfortable conflicts and near misses. I must say I was thrown by at least one of the twists in the story. I wont compare it to a roller coaster ride, that's a bit over dramatic, but I will say it's like one of those inner city bus journeys where you're entertained by the freak show that is the other passengers.
In case you're wondering, I passed my copy on to bored looking bloke with dreadlocks on a train in India. It's that sort of book, keeping it on a shelf is just wrong, you must pass it on to someone random!
This book is awesome. It took me a couple of goes to get into it, but once I did I finished it in no time. Millars fractured writing style is a bit of an acquired taste but is essential to the atmosphere of the book. The bulk of this book is about the comically miserable life of Albi, a paranoid comic book geek living in squalor and hiding from the milk marketing board. A colourful cast of unlikely characters that bob in and out of the narrative, giving the story some really enjoyably uncomfortable conflicts and near misses. I must say I was thrown by at least one of the twists in the story. I wont compare it to a roller coaster ride, that's a bit over dramatic, but I will say it's like one of those inner city bus journeys where you're entertained by the freak show that is the other passengers.
In case you're wondering, I passed my copy on to bored looking bloke with dreadlocks on a train in India. It's that sort of book, keeping it on a shelf is just wrong, you must pass it on to someone random!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Martin Millar always delivers
7 Feb 2009
Format:Paperback
I have read nearly ever Martin Millar book he's put to paper, and not a single one has disappointed me yet. I was so excited to find out some of his books are being re-released after being out of print for years. I had to track down my copy of Milk Sulphate, and Alby Starvation through expensive used sellers. I am always shocked to find these books are not more widely known.
The story of Alby Starvation is worth the buy, you'll finish it in a day if you start. It's the tale of allergies, hitmen, hamsters, drugs, and comics, all told with an honest candor, while completely throwing you for a loop. It's ridiculous, it's awesome, it makes you think, and it makes you laugh. I recommend all of his books. Start here or pick up the Good Fairies of New York, or Suzy, Led Zepplin and Me.....among others and take a trip
The story of Alby Starvation is worth the buy, you'll finish it in a day if you start. It's the tale of allergies, hitmen, hamsters, drugs, and comics, all told with an honest candor, while completely throwing you for a loop. It's ridiculous, it's awesome, it makes you think, and it makes you laugh. I recommend all of his books. Start here or pick up the Good Fairies of New York, or Suzy, Led Zepplin and Me.....among others and take a trip
Madness, Mayhem, And Milk--A Novella Of Unrelenting Eccentricity
18 Nov 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Anything goes in the demented imaginings of Martin Millar. Finally receiving some mainstream success from the delightful "Wolf Girl" saga, I was eager to check into his back catalogue of titles. "Milk, Sulphate, and Alby Starvation," first released in Britain in 1987, is quintessential Millar. A novella of bizarre genius, "Milk" contains all the earmarks that Millar would come to perfect--dozens of interconnected characters, rambling internal monologues, quick cut editing between stories, overlapping time frames, and enough wacky mayhem to propel several novels.
Our protagonist, Alby, is a low level drug dealer whose best friend is a hamster. Alby, an unprepossessing loser who lives for comics, achieved some notoriety when exposing a major milk allergy epidemic. Now Alby lives in fear (and hypochondria) as a hit has been ordered on his life. With Milk Board assassins, warring video gamers, a Burmese martial artists, an enigmatic Asian businessman, a put-upon store manager, and a rogue professor (among dozens of other characters)--Millar juggles countless personalities in this erratic and eccentric tale. Ultimately, the individual components are fascinating and funny--but I'm not entirely sure there is a cohesion to the various plot threads.
At times riotously funny, "Alby" is a comedic journey that will keep you entranced. You can finish the brief volume in one sitting, and you might decide to do that. If nothing else, Millar has crafted a tale that will likely propel you forward to see what other bizarre antics he gets up to. Funny, offbeat and entertaining--that's a pretty effective threesome. Slight, but "Milk, Sulphate and Alby Starvation" hints at greater rewards as Millar's oeuvre progresses. KGHarris, 11/10.
Our protagonist, Alby, is a low level drug dealer whose best friend is a hamster. Alby, an unprepossessing loser who lives for comics, achieved some notoriety when exposing a major milk allergy epidemic. Now Alby lives in fear (and hypochondria) as a hit has been ordered on his life. With Milk Board assassins, warring video gamers, a Burmese martial artists, an enigmatic Asian businessman, a put-upon store manager, and a rogue professor (among dozens of other characters)--Millar juggles countless personalities in this erratic and eccentric tale. Ultimately, the individual components are fascinating and funny--but I'm not entirely sure there is a cohesion to the various plot threads.
At times riotously funny, "Alby" is a comedic journey that will keep you entranced. You can finish the brief volume in one sitting, and you might decide to do that. If nothing else, Millar has crafted a tale that will likely propel you forward to see what other bizarre antics he gets up to. Funny, offbeat and entertaining--that's a pretty effective threesome. Slight, but "Milk, Sulphate and Alby Starvation" hints at greater rewards as Millar's oeuvre progresses. KGHarris, 11/10.
nice one
16 April 2009
Format:Paperback
so this is my second millar book, and now i'm on a quest to find his other titles at my library.
the main character of the book is a total dork...but that's why i like him. the dude's got this pet hamster and his beloved comic book collection, and he's constantly living in a world of paranoia. But then, maybe he should be since he's got some plant-loving, people-hating assassin after him. he's like some weird version of kramer (off seinfeld)...except he sells drugs...i mean, i can totally picture kramer saying "well, i'm off milk!" and slamming down his glass on jerry's counter.
but the book's even better cuz there's an entire cast of characters who are so completely quirky, that you cant help but laugh just a bit. my favorite is some dude named Wu, who practices meditation while at home so he'll be in some sort of zen-like state when he plays video games at the aracde.
and the book reads so fast, that even if you don't like it, you'll be finished with it before you can stop yourself.
the main character of the book is a total dork...but that's why i like him. the dude's got this pet hamster and his beloved comic book collection, and he's constantly living in a world of paranoia. But then, maybe he should be since he's got some plant-loving, people-hating assassin after him. he's like some weird version of kramer (off seinfeld)...except he sells drugs...i mean, i can totally picture kramer saying "well, i'm off milk!" and slamming down his glass on jerry's counter.
but the book's even better cuz there's an entire cast of characters who are so completely quirky, that you cant help but laugh just a bit. my favorite is some dude named Wu, who practices meditation while at home so he'll be in some sort of zen-like state when he plays video games at the aracde.
and the book reads so fast, that even if you don't like it, you'll be finished with it before you can stop yourself.
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