The Politics of Barbecue, A Novel
" [A] satirical, energetic debut novel...By turns gritty and funny, the plot also employs enough unexpected twists to engross the reader in Fontenay's sendup of contemporary Southern politics and culture."-Publishers Weekly(July 16, 2012)"In this brilliantly conceived Southern satire, the peculiar religion of what has become known as 'Memphis barbecue' is the basis of a wild comedy in which the eccentric forces of light are pitted against the dark dealers of unchecked power. . . . With a delightfulcoup de maÃ®tre, Blake Fontenay has written the bible of the Barbecue Belt."John Pritchard, author ofJunior Ray, Yazoo Blues,and the forthcomingSailing to Alluvium"This book has it all sex, political intrigue, and barbecue. What more do you need, other than a napkin? Blake Fontenay is the Tolstoy of pork products."William McKeen, author ofMile Marker Zero, Outlaw Journalist,andHighway 61"No one knows local government better than Blake Fontenay. This is a great read. Unfortunately, the corruption and conflicts many of these characters show are prevalent in my hometown and all of our hometowns."John Vergos, owner of Rendezvous restaurant"Yes, the South has been waiting on 'The Great Barbecue Novel,' and we should be grateful that it has finally arrived. Blake Fontenay, whose prose is silkier than a sow's ear and who clearly knows his way around all things Memphis, gifts us with a raucous story and a cast of characters far motlier than most. If Carl Hiaasen lived in Tennessee, this is the book he'd write." --Bob Morris, author ofBahamaramaand the Zack Chasteen series