Exquisite Corpse (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founder | William J. Martin (as Poppy Z. Brite) |
| Products | Horror novel |
Exquisite Corpse is a horror novel authored by American writer William J. Martin, who previously wrote under the name Poppy Z. Brite. The plot centers on Andrew Compton, an Englishman convicted as a homosexual serial killer, cannibal, and necrophiliac. Brite characterizes the book as "a necrophilic, cannibalistic, serial killer love story that examines the dark politics surrounding victimhood and disease."
Plot summary
The story unfolds through the viewpoints of four principal characters. Andrew Compton, loosely inspired by the serial killer Dennis Nilsen, escapes incarceration in the UK by inducing a cataleptic state that leads others to believe he has died. He then moves to the French Quarter of New Orleans to begin again. While searching for victims, he encounters Jay Byrne, a wealthy recluse and fellow cannibalistic serial murderer modeled after Jeffrey Dahmer. Although they start as enemies, their relationship evolves into a violent romance.
Lucas Ransom, a writer who tests positive for HIV, withdraws from society and ends his relationship with his young lover Tran. Under the pseudonym "Lush Rimbaud", Lucas hosts an underground radio program called "WHIV," where he critiques societal denial regarding gay men and the AIDS epidemic. As his condition worsens, he aims to reconcile with Tran.
Tran, disowned by his family due to his sexuality, finds shelter with Jay, leading to a brief sexual liaison. Jay feels an attraction toward Tran but refuses to pursue a deeper relationship because of its potentially deadly consequences. When Jay introduces Tran to Andrew, Andrew becomes fixated on killing and consuming him. To prevent himself from falling in love with Tran, Jay reluctantly consents to Andrew's plan. Together, they abduct and torture Tran.
Upon learning of Tran's abduction, Lucas attempts a rescue but arrives too late. He kills Jay and confronts Andrew, who declines to kill the ailing Lucas and instead offers him methods to end his own life. Lucas opts for survival and escapes without disclosing what he witnessed.
Following a final act of love in which Andrew partially consumes Jay, he departs New Orleans to continue his killing spree, while Lucas returns home resolved to document these experiences before his death.
Publication history
In 1991, Brite secured a deal with Delacorte Books for three novels, including Lost Souls and Drawing Blood, with Exquisite Corpse intended as the final installment. After submitting Exquisite Corpse in early 1995, Delacorte rejected it due to its graphic violence. At the same time, Brite's UK publisher Penguin also declined publication. Despite receiving acclaim for its literary quality, several publishers dismissed the work as excessively nihilistic and extreme. Eventually, the US rights were acquired by Simon & Schuster, while Orion Publishing Group obtained publishing rights in the UK.