Book Review: Going Bovine by Libba Bray


Cameron's happiest memory (of his entire life) was when he was at Disney World with his family as a five year old. Considering Cameron is 16, this is kind of sad and sweet at the same time.

His family was once close, but his dad is now an important Physics professor, his mom is busy teaching English Composition at a community college, and his twin sister is being a popular, and trying not to be related to Cameron. Cameron is living the slacker life, spending his time at a music store and working at Buddha Burger, cruising slowly into a life of nothing.

That is until he is diagnosed with Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, better known as human form of Mad Cow disease. What was once a life of skating by, is now a life that threatens to be cut short by an incurable disease that eats holes in the brain.

Stuck in a hospital room, Cameron is visited by an angel named Dulcie, who gives him a quest: To find Dr. X who has brought back evil matter in his time/ dimension travels. What comes next is his epic journey to try to save the world and his own life. His companions are a Dwarf named Gonzo, and a yard gnome. There are no directions, just clues from Dulcie, the tabloids, and to follow the randomness.

Going Bovine is a far departure from Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle Trilogy, however fans should give it a try. It is very imaginative, and will hopefully get you thinking about reality. (Bonus points if you've read Don Quixote, the work that inspires Cameron's adventures.) Readers of darker comedy will love this journey into the unknown.

I'll see you at the library!
Katie (Who would recommend Frank Portman's King Dork to those of you who liked Going Bovine.)