Tourist Butcher

Two stories from Ouariachi's collection take unconventional positions towards short story archetypes. "The Tourist Butcher" is about a serial killer who prepares his victims for a culinary dish, while "Memories in Aluminium Foil" follows a psychology student who receives a slice of human brain in foil as a gift. The author's goal was to bring the short story back to the campfire and create dark, horrifying underworlds while maintaining a light and graceful language.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n \n Publication date: 22 September 2020
\n Publisher: UEA Publishing Project
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In his highly acclaimed collection, these two stories take bold and unconventional approaches to the traditional short story archetypes. The Tourist Butcher is a gripping tale that delves into the mind of a serial killer who meticulously prepares his victims for a culinary delicacy. Meanwhile, Memories in Aluminium Foil follows the harrowing nightmares and existential crisis of a psychology student who receives a peculiar gift—a slice of human brain wrapped in aluminum foil—from his biologist roommate.

Ouariachi, the author, expressed his artistic vision in the original Dutch collection, stating that his goal was to "bring the short story back to the campfire." He aimed to create stories that would serve as a mirror for the reader, encouraging them to reflect and draw their own conclusions. These two stories, making their debut in English, showcase Ouariachi's remarkable success. He has skillfully crafted a pair of dark and unsettling underworlds that captivate readers, all while maintaining a light and graceful language.

The Tourist Butcher unfolds as the serial killer, known as the "Tourist Butcher," meticulously prepares his victims for a culinary masterpiece. He selects individuals who have embarked on solo adventures, luring them with the promise of an extraordinary experience. Once captured, the victims are subjected to a series of gruesome procedures, their bodies transformed into culinary ingredients. The story explores the killer's motivations, his twisted sense of humor, and the macabre rituals he performs to create his culinary masterpieces.

Memories in Aluminium Foil, on the other hand, takes a more introspective and psychological approach. The psychology student, named Alex, receives the enigmatic gift from his roommate, a biologist named David. Alex is initially intrigued by the gift, but as he delves deeper into its meaning, he becomes plagued by nightmares and existential questions. The brain slice, which is believed to hold the essence of human consciousness, triggers a series of psychological transformations in Alex. He grapples with the idea of what it means to be human, the nature of memory, and the fragility of the mind.

Through these two stories, Ouariachi challenges the conventional tropes of the short story genre. He subverts expectations by exploring dark and unsettling themes, while maintaining a sense of elegance and grace in his writing. The characters in the stories are complex and multi-dimensional, their motivations and actions often difficult to comprehend. The settings, too, are vividly portrayed, creating a sense of immersion and tension that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.

In conclusion, The Tourist Butcher and Memories in Aluminium Foil are two exceptional stories that showcase Ouariachi's talent as a writer. They take bold and unconventional approaches to the short story archetypes, delving into the depths of human nature and the human condition. Through his skillful use of language and his ability to create compelling and unsettling underworlds, Ouariachi has proven himself as a master of the short story form. These stories are a testament to his artistic vision and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on readers who dare to explore the darker corners of the human psyche.

\n Weight: 72g\n
Dimension: 209 x 130 x 9 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781911343301\n \n