Denis Johnson (1949–2017)

Grew on me greatly over the course of the book. Especially the early stories have a vague, dreamy sense about them, even as they depict violent deaths, that's a little disconcerting but also obviously a good portrayal of the days running together nothingness of constant drug use in small dead end towns. The narrator is certainly not nice at all, but he's not completely unsympathetic - some of his behaviour is shit but he's a fucked up guy born in a fucked up world where this stuff is just normal.

The writing itself is really really great. The author is incredible at conveying scene and mood and feeling. He also adds a surprising amount of humour, even in the most fucked up situations there's often comedic moments that I wasn't expecting. The writing is clever and poetic but also sharp and clear and to the point, using short images that are still powerful.

I was sort of thinking of rating a 3, but after finishing I was surprised how much of an impact it had on me. There is a journey to sobriety over the course of the book, and it's heartfelt. If you let yourself be carried along and don't worry too much about "getting it" especially at the start, there's a lot to appreciate here… (més)

One of our reading groups discussed this novella (under 100 pages) last night. Results were mixed: some people were not sure what the author's point was, but I had no trouble with that. In fact, I read it twice. Most agreed that it presented both a time and a character poignant and occasionally funny.

An orphan is taken in by his uncle in the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s, even taking his name, but has little memory of his origin. As he grows, a striking incident turns him from a layabout life to one of utility, if not purpose. As he goes through his adult life, he finds love and disaster, hard work and its joys; industry and culture grow around him, past the essential rural 19th century on into the machines and entertainments of a more modern era.

Highly recommended.… (més)