My first to read by this author but definitely not my last! I love all the funny flawed characters but truly enojoyed the authors satirical humor. The plot was a slow pick up but once it did I couldn’t put it down. If you liked Schitts creek you’ll love this book.

While I wanted to enjoy this book and there were parts that I did. It focused too much on the politics than the story about family that I was hoping for more development .

The book made a good first impression, I enjoyed the funny moments and the sarcasm. As the story kept unfolding though, the initial lightheartedness quickly deteriorated into a slow and desolate political story. I struggled to connect to most of the cartoonish characters and felt like Eddie Ellis’ story took the attention away from the father-son duo that I wanted to read more about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Library Tales for the advance electronic galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Decadents is the story of Phil Ochs, a Southern Republican fast food king, and how he comes to run for state senate. It is also the story of his family, who seem to put the fun in dysfunctional. His son, David Samuel is a would-be artist and poet. His wife, Lillian, lives for “as seen on TV” merchandise, which she discusses at length with the telephone salespeople.
In an effort to turn his son into the man he would like him to be, Phil hatches a…rather unusual plan. As to how that plan turns out—it may depend on which character you ask!
This novel is described as “darkly satiric”. I think that’s accurate. Think Augusten Burroughs. I liked satire a lot more when I was younger—before I saw how close to the mark it often hit. That being said, I found the book to be extremely readable—I finished it quickly—and I really did enjoy many of the characters!

Dark satire about America, politics, and family. Starts funny and almost light-hearted, but this wanes and gives way to bleakness.

The novel is an American satire about Phil Ochs, an old republican fast food chain-owner from South Carolina. Plagued by "lack of respect" from the business community and a "weirdo" son who is into poetry, theatre, and the finer things of life that Phil thinks are signs of weakness, he sets out to teach his son a lesson, and to run for the South Carolina Senate against a sure-shot Democratic winner. However, he ends up underestimating all the people he uses to accomplish his missions, and ends up getting very different results than he had hoped for.
This book was a surprise read. While the humour was not really to my taste (far too niche American for a person in a different country to appreciate), the story really started to build up at around 30% of the novel. The characters did initially seem cartoonish (and to some extent remain so until the end), their motivations become clearer in the second act, and that's when the reader can begin to sympathize with them, pathetic and flawed as they are. I personally ended up liking almost all the characters, except perhaps Phil Ochs, whose arc is the least developed of them all. In a sense, he doesn't grow, although everyone else around him does.
Overall, an entertaining read. Will recommend to anyone looking for some lighthearted fun (and has some idea of American culture and politics).

I was not a fan of this book. While there were some funny parts, I found the overall plot very boring. I also did not care for the characters so it made it a struggle to get through.

I just love this book so much! Cannot recommend it enough! My first to read by this author but definitely not my last!

This is a deliciously fun read! I love all the funny flawed characters, and the authors sense of humor throughout!

This book was a true delight and provided a combination of satire and humor that made me chuckle several times. Almost all the characters are lovable with all their flaws, Phil Ochs with his political ambitions, Lillian with her fondness for home gadget purchases and phone chat with the rep from As seen on TV, and of course, their son David Samuel "with all his oddness and flourish for words" and "South Carolina's most dramatic little twit". I look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you, NetGalley and MC Schmidt for this amazing book. I am going to read this again to enjoy it one more time!

Phil Ochs, fast food restaurant franchise owner plagued by sharing the name of a liberal folk singer, decides to run for senator after the last straw in a series of problems including a deadbeat son, the loss of a business award to a company that makes testicular implants for pets, and another businessman poaching his employees. This was hilarious. Collin's impression upon seeing David Samuel for the first time, Phil's metaphor of David Samuel as a stunted plant - I'm not sure the last time I laughed so much at a book. My main complaint, and I hope it is just because this was an advance copy, was that there were A LOT of grammatical/spelling errors, things like saying someone was "vial" instead of "vile" or even "the too of you." Obvious errors that should definitely have been caught in the editing process. 4.5 stars rounded to 4.

I was not personally a fan of this book and it could be because some of the humor wasnt funny to me. It felt very dry and boring and did not capture the attention I thought it would. There were some relatable times in the novel but most of the time I thought it was too bland.

The Decadents
by MC Schmidt
The Decadents is a darkly satirical novel featuring a cast of characters who are unique and unforgettable. I LOVED this book so much. I laughed at Phil Ochs and his family until tears and waking my husband could not stop me. What a great book, MC Schmidt is one great writer! I will buy many copies of The Decadents when it comes out for sale.
Thank you, NetGalley and MC Schmidt the honor of laughing and finding just the right one.Best of this year for humor.