The Death of Bunny Munro: A Novel

Fans of Post-Punk singer extraordinaire Nick Cave would do well to explore his novel, The Death of Bunny Munro. Like his recent screenplays and his best songs, Cave creates characters that are at once realistic and fantastic. The novel surely provides insight into the dark art and mind of Bad Seed, Nick Cave. While certainly not for everyone, the dark perversions of Bunny Munro including his fantasies of Kylie Minogue and Avril Lavigne leave the indoctrinated reconsidering the Murder Ballad sung with Kylie, "Where the Wild Roses Grow." Where does Bunny end and where does Cave begin? What was Cave actually thinking, while singing the murderous love ballad with the target of Bunny Monroe's sexual fantasies? Can one create such a sexually obsessed character without sharing one's darkest thoughts and fantasies? While sex and death are dominant themes throughout, they are juxtaposed with father / son relationships - Bunny and his son, and Bunny and his father. While Bunny proceeds through life, both the dull and painful, he manages to survive only through the escape of sex and alcohol. In the end the book may be about redemption - but if so, it is a self-serving redemption. It is redemption that comes not from the grace of God, but rather through the forgiveness of his "victims." If Bunny Monroe were to pray it would surely be to Minogue's gold hot pants or his favorite parts of the female anatomy. Bunny Monroe's redemption, like his life, is purely on his own terms.

I had to get it after listening to all of Nick Cave's music (Bad Seeds, Grinderman, The Bootleggers) and loving his screen play for the movie The Proposition. This book didn't let me down. It follows a sleazy guy named Bunny and his young son and goes back and forth between the two. It sorta felt like a non-violent version of his song Stagger Lee. He can do no wrong.

If you love Nick Cave, you will love this book. Not only is he a great musician, he is also a fantastic writer. I have read it twice.

After "And the Ass Saw the Angel" I was anticipating a lot more from Cave. Because I am a long-time fan of his varied artistic pursuits, I purchased this book expecting to be quite entertained. Unfortunately, the book fell flat. The third person, present tense style is easy to read but the prose falls short of engaging adjectives and deep reader involvement. With all the sex, drugs, violence, and situational drama, I thought that I might be glued to the book. That was not the case. It was not even a guilty pleasure to read; I wanted (and expected) the watching-the-train-wreck-in-fascination (even though you know it's all bad) feeling. Instead, I developed a lukewarm sense of involvement with the story and a marginal interest in the primary characters. Readers know how it is going to end after reading the first chapter, especially given the author, his previous work, his lyrical style, and the title of the book. It was not hard to put the pieces together. The foreshadowing was juvenile, at best. In my opinion, this book was written in less than a week. Cave needs to employ additional literary devices if he is to continue to write and sell fiction novels. In my reading, I did not feel an honest passion or effort from the author (even in the Amazon video clip he does not appear convinced of his own story) and, for that, I wish that I had not spent my money on the book. I am a disappointed fan but remain hopeful for a better book from Mr. Cave in the future.

Certainly an entertaining read. It's a tale of a poor single father who is more interested is sex than anything else. I don't want to spoil it but it has a pretty great ending. I'd say it's an easy and quick read.

The bastard. Not content with making provocative genius records for thousands of years. Scripting a decent movie. Co- creating wonderfull film scores he now writes a great novel. Equal to his musical output. An incestuous cousin to "The Road " ( though not as good as that masterpiece ). As twisted and dark as his best lyrics. Subtle too, because although it seems to be about Bunny we read it through the boys eyes. I'm jealous.

I have seen this man live several times and have followed his writing, acting, art, singing career for over 20 years and still I am not sure what I think is his major talent. His writing makes me see and feel other worlds so vivid I am there (often wishing I was not), His art makes me want to blind myself, His acting floors me, his Song the sound track for every heart break of my 40 years ... I am honestly glad that when I did get to meet him in Auckland New Zealand several years ago that I personally felt no draw to him for if I had I could easily have become his Mark Chapman. There is nothing this man does that I would not wish the world to see or hear. "I Thought what I'd do was I'd pretend I was one of those deaf mutes." - Catcher in the rye (J. D. Salinger).

The book brings about a dark and twisted story about a sick man. Over all, I'm very happy. Nick Caves' narration makes it all the better. Definitely emotionally provocative though, and I wouldn't reccomend it to just anyone.

Très bon!!

What a ride! A story few could tell with such vivid colour. Knowing Bunny is doomed only drives the narrative faster and faster to the ultimate meet your destiny momment! Poor Bunny!

Kave sets high standards even for himself, hard to plenty underatand him first hand, but the experience of his prose certainly worhths it

Ive quite enjoyed reading this book, but I realise that it will not be for everyone. It's quite difficult to like or relate to a main character who views women in the way that he does! However, there is more to him than just that and the book kept me entertained.

If you're a fan of Nick you'll read it anyway. But don't expect 'The Ass Saw the Angel' it is nothing and I mean NOTHING like that. (PS T.A.S.T.A. is a true masterpiece of a book, you can drink this book - buy it!!) It is pretty head-on vulgar in places, but it all goes with the characters and the story and it made me smile/laugh. Just the first few paragraphs give you a feel for that aspect of the book :) Cool One thing though, it's really short, a small book with big print. It's only just bigger than a short story. Still worth it though, and one to read again.