The Mad and the Bad (New York Review Books Classics)

Welcome to a new episode of The Book Report presented by The Millions!

This week, Mike talks about Jean-Patrick Manchette’s The Mad and the Bad, and we beg American publishers to bring more violent nihilism to the literary scene. We are kind, gentle people, but sometimes we like reading about murderers, and there is nothing wrong with that. At least according to Mike’s therapist. (Mike’s therapist is a dog.)

Also discussed in this episode: Care Bears, hacksaws, plane crashes, orphans, insane asylums, France, spoiled brats, Breaking Bad, Cormac McCarthy, Chuck Palahniuk, and morals.

Not discussed in this episode: the fact that the original French title of this book is O dingos, O chateaux!, which is possibly the best title ever, rainbows, ponies, cookies, and hugs.