MYOM

My Year of Meats was an interesting book that had two main stories. When there are two stories in a book I usually think that the stories will intertwine at some point. I was right in that assumption for this book does just that by telling the tales of both Akiko and Jane. I found it stupid how Akiko decided to just skip out of town, hop on a plane, and then call Jane from the plane telling her she was coming over. This was dumb because who just takes someone’s word when they say if you ever need anything just let me know? Akiko should have at least called first to give Jane a heads up to let her know she was coming. This wasn't the only issue I had with the book either. I hated how Jane's baby died before she even had a chance to give birth to it. That alone made the story worse for me to read. I enjoy different stuff happening in stories that doesn't necessarily fit into the "Hollywood" type of ending, but killing a baby off like that just ain't cool man. Although it may seem like I am just burning the book left and right, I did enjoy the whole meat aspect of it and getting that closer look at the meat industry was a little shocking/enlightening. I don't feel like MYOM is enough to make me go vegetarian but it did give me a sense that you can't just trust everything you eat was raised on a sunny pasture with a rainbow that stretches over the couple of cows on a 50 acre farm. It is made me feel like the whole meat industry is dark and that the cows are constantly living in fear and are tortured their whole lives... ... hmm. The book did a good job making me think.

Alternative ending to Happiness.

"Jack? It's me, Edwin."
"What do you want?" said Jack, but the tumors cut from his throat had left his once glorious baritone voice scratchy and weak.
"I came to collect my money."
"Well you're shit of luck then partner." said Jack, " I thought we already covered this and I told you I wasn't budging."
Edwin replied, "You did. Since I wrote How to be Miserable I feel that I deserve a cut of the profits from that book. If I don't get a cut I will kill your grandson."
At this Edwin witnessed Jack fall to his knees. Edwin rushed over and caught him before he fell all the way to the ground. He looked short of breath and Jack breathing was irregular and it appeared like he was hyper ventilating.
Jack squeaked, "If you think it is necessary to kill my grandson then you will just have to do it. I am not going to do anything different. Edwin, If you do in fact kill my grandson, I want you to know that the money isn't worth it. It might make you a rich man but that is only for this short time on Earth that you will be able to use it. Because you can't take it with you when you die."
Edwin was caught off guard and although he was planning on Jack saying he wasn't going to give him any of the money, this caught Edwin totally off guard, leaving any of the witty responses he had prepared useless. He just sat there silently and watched Jack die in his arms.
"Goodbye Jack."
Edwin laid Jack down watched the sunset from the hill and then walked back to his car.