Once again, Capotes writing is masterful. Unfortunately, the quality of writing wasn't enough to merit a high rating.
This story of a young man goi 2.5
Once again, Capotes writing is masterful. Unfortunately, the quality of writing wasn't enough to merit a high rating.
This story of a young man going home to meet his father among a group of eclectic characters had a lot of potential, but ultimately, the story went nowhere. I had the sense that Truman was leaning too hard on an artsy-fartsy style and the result was a book that failed to entertain me. ...more
These are some seriously disturbed women. There were times where I became bored with the chatty interactions and was actually leaning toward rating th These are some seriously disturbed women. There were times where I became bored with the chatty interactions and was actually leaning toward rating this 3 stars, but I'll keep it at 4. Mostly because she kept it short. ...more
It was never my intention to do it this way but up to this point I've read all of McCarthy's books except this one. So it happens that the last of his It was never my intention to do it this way but up to this point I've read all of McCarthy's books except this one. So it happens that the last of his novels I've read is the first he wrote. Because of that, it is difficult to rate this one. I can still sense the greatness of his unique style, but because I have read his following masterpieces, they are naturally what I use as a measuring stick for his work and "The Orchard Keeper" just doesn't hold up to any of his later work.
There is a part of me that wishes I would not have saved this one for last because I was disappointed, but then again, had I read this one first I might not have been so eager to read more of his books.
Just to clarify, I was disappointed only because this book was not as great as most of his others, but that does not mean I think this is a bad book. It certainly isn't for everyone. Then again, that's usually said about all his work, even his great ones.
I know Cormack is in his 80's now and I don't know if we will be seeing any more novels coming from him. I sure hope so. And as he did with Faulkner, I sure hope to see someone of his class fall into his footsteps. ...more
I like Pollock's style through three books now (he reminds me of Cormack McCarthy) but he has yet to give me a home run.
The Jewett brothers are a 3.5
I like Pollock's style through three books now (he reminds me of Cormack McCarthy) but he has yet to give me a home run.
The Jewett brothers are a trio who withstand hard times to become toughened outlaws on the run from reward hungry bounty-hunters as they try to make their way to Canada to retire and live out their lives in peace. Their story is intertwined with that of several other characters whose paths are destined to cross the refugees.
In a way I felt like Pollock was trying to give us a dark gritty story, much like his style in 'The Devil All The Time' but it seemed he was trying too hard, presenting a softer story with occasional harsh details in an attempt to present us with a dark masterpiece.
The book is good, just not great. I'll keep on looking for more from Pollock. ...more
This collection of short stories was just so so for me. Faulkners writing is masterful as always but the stories all ended leaving me with a feeling o This collection of short stories was just so so for me. Faulkners writing is masterful as always but the stories all ended leaving me with a feeling of "what was the point?"...more
This book was like the white lightning brewed in some of the stills on the mountain. You take a slug and the fire takes your breath away, makes you 4.5
This book was like the white lightning brewed in some of the stills on the mountain. You take a slug and the fire takes your breath away, makes you shiver from head to toe, and tense up from the gut punch. Then after your eyes uncross you say, "Whew! Hot damn!" and you down some more.
I know that as soon as I'm done here I will be going in search of some more books by Panowich. This was good stuff and I will definitely be reading more of his stuff.
Bull Mountain was like Cormack McCarthy meets Dennis Lehane. This thing was brutal, raw, no holds barred nitty-gritty. A story of a mountain inhabited by family of men (and women) who take the term, 'blood is thicker than water' to a whole new level. The family does reign supreme on Bull Mountain...even if it means going through fellow family to maintain that reign.
This wasn't a long novel. It carries strong characters and an action packed plot throughout that guarantees to entertain. I strongly recommend this one to all my reading friends. ...more
~I learned that there is one Suttree and one Suttree only. I see, said the priest. Suttree shook his head. No, he said. You don't.~
McCarthy pens a novel~I learned that there is one Suttree and one Suttree only. I see, said the priest. Suttree shook his head. No, he said. You don't.~
McCarthy pens a novel like Bukowski pens poetry. Dipped in whiskey and laced with the realism of life's profanities. There aren't many writers out there that can match McCarthy when it comes to taking the debased and the vile and weaving them into a tapestry of poetic and lyrical prose fit for the finest collections of literature.
~Mr Suttree it is our understanding that at curfew rightly decreed by law and in that hour wherein night draws to its proper close and the new day commences and contrary to conduct befitting a person of your station and betook yourself to various low places within the shire of McAnally and there did squander several ensuing years in the company of thieves, derelicts, miscreants, pariahs, poltroons, spalpeens, curmudgeons, clotpolls, murderers, gamblers, bawds, whores, trulls, brigands, topers, tosspots, sots and archsots, lobcocks, smellcocks, runagates rakes and other assorted and felonious debauchees. I was drunk,...~
This is hardcore crime at its best. Detective Dave Robicheaux is one of the good guys at heart, an officer that still believes in justice and the w 4.5
This is hardcore crime at its best. Detective Dave Robicheaux is one of the good guys at heart, an officer that still believes in justice and the welfare of others, but he is also one bad, bad dude, and if he has to bend the laws a little to bring about justice you better not get in his way.
The only chink in the armor of this novel is that Daves toughness at times crossed the line into what I can only call stupidity... but hey, he's only human, and I would damn sure never say it to his face.
I will certainly be checking out more of this series. ...more
This is quite a gritty, southern gothic tale. There are several bad-ass characters in this one. Some on one side, some on the other, and some, somewhe This is quite a gritty, southern gothic tale. There are several bad-ass characters in this one. Some on one side, some on the other, and some, somewhere in between. Lawmen and townspeople, supposed lawmen, poor farmers just trying to survive, some downright cut-throat outlaws, a tough whore and an even tougher granny who brought just about all of them into this world.
A tale like this is not for the thin skinned, but Tom Franklin uses very realistic detail and a constant flow of southern Gothic prose and continuing action and drama that certainly makes this an entertaining read. ...more
This was a fun and adventurous read... in a grotesque kind of way. There were moments I found myself laughing out loud. Smonk was a tough old boy, but This was a fun and adventurous read... in a grotesque kind of way. There were moments I found myself laughing out loud. Smonk was a tough old boy, but I think Evangeline might have been a little tougher....more
This thing is a raunchy, bad to the bone ensemble. In some ways this thing is hard to digest because it hits so close to Great short story collection.
This thing is a raunchy, bad to the bone ensemble. In some ways this thing is hard to digest because it hits so close to home. As much as we of the human race like to paint ourselves as a higher species, Pollock reminds us with stories of a human condition that is oh so much a reality that we are really not that far removed from ancestors who lived in caves, dragged their women around by the hair and beat the shit out of each other with clubs.
A midwestern trip through the town of Knockemstiff and the connected lives of it's hard knock, country denizens. If you like this genre, this is a sure entertainer. ...more
"He figured somewhere in these territories there was an enormous madhouse whose keeper had thrown up his hands in disgusted defeat and flung wide the "He figured somewhere in these territories there was an enormous madhouse whose keeper had thrown up his hands in disgusted defeat and flung wide the portals so these twisted folk could descend like locusts on the countryside.” ~William Gay
Suspicious of an undertakers internment of their father, a brother and sister take it upon themselves to discover if he was buried properly or not. They find the answer to their question and a whole lot more. A crazed mortician and a career killer put on a chase in this Southern Gothic piece that gives Cormack McCarthey's No Country For Old Men a run for its money.
This is my first book by William Gay, but he may have found a fan. ...more
When it comes to describing the degradation of humanity, no one does it better than McCarthy. Dark. Harsh. And yes, 'Child of God' is a very fitting deWhen it comes to describing the degradation of humanity, no one does it better than McCarthy. Dark. Harsh. And yes, 'Child of God' is a very fitting description of Lester Ballard....more
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