"Rotters" is a young adult novel written by Daniel Kraus. Published in 2011, the book is a dark and gritty coming-of-age story that delves into themes of loss, identity, and the macabre.
The story follows Joey Crouch, a teenage boy who is uprooted from his home in Chicago to live with his estranged father, Ken Harnett, in a small town in Iowa after the sudden death of his mother. Joey's father is a grave robber, known as a "rotter," who steals precious items from corpses in order to sell them on the black market.
As Joey is thrust into his new environment and confronts his father's gruesome and illicit profession, he becomes entangled in a world of secrets, danger, and the uncanny. He learns about the history and techniques of grave robbing and forms an uneasy alliance with other "rotters" in the town. Through his experiences, Joey begins to unravel the complexities of his own identity and relationships, both with his father and with the people around him.
"Rotters" is known for its visceral descriptions, dark atmosphere, and exploration of the macabre and grotesque. It's a novel that delves into the psychological and emotional journey of a young protagonist who must navigate a world filled with moral ambiguity and challenges.
The book deals with themes of family dynamics, the search for belonging, and the lengths people are willing to go to in order to survive and find their place in the world. "Rotters" has been praised for its unique and immersive storytelling style, as well as its ability to capture the reader's attention with its dark and compelling narrative.
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