Revenge, in my opinion, is a slippery slope on which to tread. While the idea of it may be understandably alluring to those that have been wronged by someone in which they had invested their hearts, actually going through with acts of vengeance is a different matter entirely and one that can and often does come with serious consequences.

A similar warning is issued by author Eva Nagorski, who cautions readers against doing anything that could potentially get them arrested. Nagorski’s book, The Down and Dirty Dish on Revenge: Serving It Up Nice And Cold To That Lying, Cheating Bastard, is a surprisingly humorous, entertaining and informative read.

My first impression of the book was not exactly a positive one. I was initially a bit thrown off by its title, my judgment of which almost lead me to dismiss the book entirely simply because it seemed to glorify revenge. Fortunately, however, I turned out to be pleasantly surprised by the way in which revenge was presented by Eva Nagorski. Using hilarious anecdotes about how revenge has been practiced and the ways in which it has evolved throughout history and within a variety of different cultures, Nagorski’s book is filled with opportunities for readers to learn something new and laugh out loud in the process.
Aimed at people who are contemplating revenge in response to a recent heartbreak, The Down and Dirty Dish on Revenge serves as an uplifting, comical guide through what can often be a frustrating and confusing time. But you don’t need to be actively plotting revenge in order to appreciate this book. With such a wildly entertaining look at the many faces of revenge, just about anybody will get a kick out of these recipes for revenge.

Inspired in part by her professional experience as a writer for a revenge-themed television show, Nagorski did a great job of putting a humorous spin on the topic of revenge. My only complaint was that she did not give enough consideration to the benefits of forgiveness but since this is, after all, a book about revenge, I suppose it makes sense that its counterpart not be given too much stage time.

Overall, I would certainly recommend The Down and Dirty Dish on Revenge. If you have recently experienced some heartache and daydream about making your transgressor pay for it, this book just might help you get it out of your system without having to collect any bad karma of your own in the process.