Meat Is Murder

Meat Is Murder examines cannibalism across multiple dimensions - from cultural traditions and historical accounts to its portrayal in cinema and popular media. The book, published in 1998 as part of Creation Books' extreme cinema series, combines academic analysis with accessible cultural commentary. Author Mikita Brottman structures the work in three main sections, focusing on cultural cannibalism, true crime cases, and representations in film. Each section explores distinct manifestations of cannibalistic behavior and society's responses to this taboo practice. The text draws upon anthropological research, documented incidents, and cinematic depictions to analyze how different cultures and time periods have understood and depicted cannibalism. Brottman's investigation spans from ancient myths and fairy tales to modern true crime cases and horror films. Through this comprehensive examination, the book reveals how societies process and react to extreme taboos, suggesting that sharing stories about cannibalism paradoxically strengthens social bonds and cultural norms.

Readers find this cultural history of cannibalism engaging but sometimes repetitive. The book compiles cases and theories rather than offering new insights. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex cannibalism cases - Mix of historical accounts and pop culture references - Matter-of-fact tone when discussing graphic content - Accessible writing style for academic subject matter Common criticisms: - Feels more like collected essays than cohesive book - Some sections drag with excessive detail - Limited analysis beyond case descriptions - Jumps between topics without strong connections Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (112 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (24 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Informative but reads like a series of Wikipedia articles" - Goodreads reviewer "Great intro to the subject but needed more original insight" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect balance of academic and readable" - LibraryThing reviewer

Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History by Bill Schutt Investigates cannibalism in nature and human societies through a scientific and anthropological lens, examining historical practices, medical cases, and cultural significance.

The Man-Eating Myth by William Arens Challenges assumptions about historical cannibalism through analysis of anthropological evidence and exploration of how societies use accusations of cannibalism to define cultural boundaries.

Consuming Grief: Compassionate Cannibalism in an Amazonian Society by Beth Conklin Documents the funeral cannibalism practices of the Wari' people of Brazil, examining how cannibalism connects to grief, memory, and cultural identity.

Divine Hunger: Cannibalism as a Cultural System by Peggy Reeves Sanday Analyzes cannibalism as a cultural phenomenon across different societies, exploring its relationship to religion, power structures, and social organization.

Cannibalism in Literature and Film by Jennifer Brown Maps the evolution of cannibalism themes in literature and cinema, connecting fictional portrayals to cultural anxieties and social commentary.

🔍 Cannibalism has been documented in over 1,300 species in nature, including several primate species closely related to humans. 📚 Author Mikita Brottman is a professor at Maryland Institute College of Art and has written extensively on true crime, psychoanalysis, and cultural studies. 🎬 The book analyzes influential cannibal films like "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991) and "Ravenous" (1999), exploring how they reflect societal fears and fascinations. ⚖️ The infamous Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash (1972) is discussed as a pivotal case study of survival cannibalism, where survivors lasted 72 days in the Andes. 🗺️ The practice of ritualistic cannibalism was historically found in cultures across all inhabited continents, often tied to beliefs about absorbing the strength or spiritual essence of the deceased.