Book Review

Ludmila's Broken English (2006)

EW's GRADE
C-

Details Release Date: May 08, 2006; Writer: DBC Pierre; Genre: Fiction; Publisher: W.W. Norton

The twins of Ludmila's Broken English, DBC Pierre's hyperactive, metaphorical mess of a second novel. (His '03 debut was Booker winner Vernon God Little.) Blair and Bunny Heath are born conjoined, but Pierre begins their saga after they are surgically separated in their 30s. Now divided, their ''real'' lives presumably can begin. This means swilling gin, dancing nude (finally, they can smack buttocks!), and seeking sex. Their sophomoric London adventures alternate with the tale of beautiful Ludmila from a recently divided Eastern European country. The wacky plots eventually converge, but Pierre's overarching vision — if he has one — never materializes.

Originally posted May 05, 2006 Published in issue #876 May 12, 2006 Order article reprints

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