Whenever I come across a book that I find utterly irreducible, I prefer to do a list of ten reasons why you should read said book. I’ve done it for In the House upon the Dirt between the Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell and & Sons by David Gilbert, both of which are lovely forContinue reading “At Night We Walk In Circles by Daniel Alarcón”
Tag Archives: Literary Fiction
What Changed You? The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vásquez
Sometimes there is a moment or event, beyond your control, that changes your life. I specify beyond your control because there are several events that will change your life that you can choose – marriage, family, career – but there are many you can’t – abandonment, violence, death. This post focuses on the latter*. SoContinue reading “What Changed You? The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vásquez”
The Rathbones by Janice Clark
If Tim Burton collaborated with Charles Addams to rewrite and combine The Odyssey and Moby-Dick, you would get ‘The Rathbones’. Janice Clark’s singular debut, a gothic adventure novel set in New England, is one of the most intriguing new novels this year (for the imagery and originality, if nothing else). Lest you think I jest about the strainsContinue reading “The Rathbones by Janice Clark”
& Sons by David Gilbert
David Gilbert’s new novel ‘& Sons’ will be one of the best novels published this year. Yes, I said it. And obviously you can trust me, my taste is impeccable (in all facets, no?). My narration and advice is never unreliable (unlike the narrator in this novel). I’ve not steered you wrong yet, except forContinue reading “& Sons by David Gilbert”
Nobody’s Fool by Richard Russo
Life is but a joke*. Just ask Bob Dylan. I’ve recently had a string of rather aggravating, melancholy days. The shit has hit the fan more than once, to put it eloquently. Today was the final straw; I’ll set the scene for you. It’s 100+ degrees, not a cloud in sight – so it’s sweltering.Continue reading “Nobody’s Fool by Richard Russo”
Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock
sor·row (n.) /ˈsärō/ A feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. Appearances are deceiving; the world can be a beautiful place in that way. Despite my rather innocuous physicality and mild disposition (or perhaps because of…?), my mind is a far darker place than my tinyContinue reading “Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock”
In the House upon the Dirt between the Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell
A young couple gets married and moves to a distant, isolated lakeshore to begin their new life together. He hunts, she sings, and their world goes round. He begins to build their home – a house upon the dirt between the lake and the woods – and they dream of starting a family. Only lifeContinue reading “In the House upon the Dirt between the Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell”
First as Tragedy, Then as Farce: The Teleportation Accident by Ned Bauman
Happy Towel Day, you hoopy froods.* Today is May 25th, also known as Towel Day, or the day where you celebrate the life and work of Douglas Adams. I am not participating; I am spending the day helping people learn to grow plants in a desert. I would rather be carrying a towel. But thenContinue reading “First as Tragedy, Then as Farce: The Teleportation Accident by Ned Bauman”
God Is Dead, Irony Still Rollickingly Alive: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
You’d think knowing what makes you happy would be easy to figure out. It’s not, much to my dismay. Life lacks the simplicity of IKEA instructions and instead, often embraces their ambiguity. It leaves you wondering how, exactly, did those stick figures end up so happy. They obviously aren’t putting together the same furniture IContinue reading “God Is Dead, Irony Still Rollickingly Alive: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan”
Double Feature by Owen King
According to Wesley Latsch, famous internet blogger in Owen King’s Double Feature, there are 74 75 things that cause unnecessary fatigue. Number one is rushing, number 75 is hugging a mummy, and number 27 is the library. Well said Wesley Latsch, I theoretically agree – hugging a mummy is fatiguing, though I’ve not had theContinue reading “Double Feature by Owen King”
flannel and folklore 