Impact

It’s like being punched in the gut. You come across that novel that just floors you, where you see something very special going on, that “something” that you know will stick with you for the rest of your life and have a major impact on how you think about writing or maybe even see the world after you finish reading it. Something that is timeless. Something you sense is important in some way. This will differ for most people. Sometimes we may all agree. Over the course of my life I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of novels but very few have had the impact that I am speaking of. There are a lot of great books out there, well written with wonderful stories but they still don’t rise to that special level. They don’t have that ability of knocking you off your feet. Here is my personal list of those very books that have done that for me; those books that will always remain with me, those I feel are “great literature”:

“Hopscotch” by Julio Cortázar: It was recommended to me by this woman in a writing chat room I was a part of many many years ago. I was struggling through my first novel and she said to me that what I was trying to do reminded her of this book. I remember seeing it around in my travels but never thought of picking it up to read for some reason. Well, that afternoon, I did just that, and reading the first few pages on the subway home, I knew immediately that I came across something very special. Not only is it extremely well written but the idea behind the book is nothing short of genius. It is written in such a way that you can literally read the chapters in any order you wish to and you get the same story each and every time, in a unique way, each and every time. I can say without a doubt this is probably my all time favorite novel. It opened the doors other great writers and novels over the course of time, especially those Latin American novelists that most North Americans ignore. A truly special book.

“Tropic of Cancer” by Henry Miller: Another life changing book. The prose is amazing, the story is amazing and the whole feeling of the novel had such an impact on me that it literally changed the way I thought about things and saw the world at large. It opened many doors and windows not only to other literature but to art as well. It was if my eyes were suddenly opened to all the wonderful things this world had to offer, all the great experiences one wishes to have if they only had the incentive to get up off their ass and actually do something about it. The book is full of life and ideas. Nothing was the same after reading this.

“The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway: A great story and a great example of ‘less is more’. The bare bones, stripped down nature of this novel had a major impact on me. It showed that writing didn’t have to be infused with ‘thousand dollar words’ in order to have an impact. There is a lot going on here under the surface, that ‘something’ that makes you think about it long after you finish reading it. I am a major Hemingway fan and loved pretty much all his books but this one in particular I always felt was his strongest work. The writing is simple and precise and gets right to the point without taking a page and a half to describe a simple action, which I really love. It “gets down to it” right away. I’ve met a lot of people over the years who don’t care for Hemingway’s novels (they prefer is short stories, which are also amazing to me) but I suggested that they read this one again and give it some more thought. Again, another example of how subjective all this can be.

“Desolation Angels” by Jack Kerouac: Not the first novel I read from him but clearly my favorite. The first half of the book is a beautiful study of solitude which contrasts nicely with the second half of the book which is infused with movement, Jazz, life. Kerouac is considered an important American writer now but there was a time when he wasn’t viewed as such. Truman Capote once said, referring to Kerouac’s classic “On The Road” that his book “wasn’t writing it was typing.” Couldn’t disagree more. Just two writers with two distinctly differing styles. Kerouac’s free form prose is what I love the most about him and for me this particular book shows him at the top of his game. It’s another fine example of how there is no “rule” to what a novel is “supposed” to be. It reads like a Jazz musician plays: free form, experimental, full of life without going off into outer space.

“Marks of Identity” by Juan Goytisolo: This was a random find, one day while killing the morning at The Strand in downtown New York. It just sort of leapt out at me and when I removed it from the shelf and read the first five pages I had that “punch in the gut” that I refer to earlier in this post. It was something truly special. Goytisolo has a very unique style and it is very clearly his own. This book seemed to be where he found his ‘voice’. It is a wonderful book about identity, culture and the impact of language on a culture and how language holds the key to that culture, even if one’s identity and past is often buried within it. It is a very dense book with a hell of a lot going on which almost dictates repeated readings in order to get the full impact. It’s not an easy read, that’s for sure, but man, what a read! I first read this book about eight years ago and I’m still grappling with it---and probably will read it again.

“I’ll Steal You Away” by Niccolò Ammaniti: A contemporary Italian novelist. The book is very straightforward, a very “commercial” novel but reading it caused me to have an epiphany about my own writing and approach. What I found very special about this novel was that it reminded me why I loved to write in the first place, the joy and love I have of writing and creating stories without having to bang my head against the wall with all the literary theory one is eventually exposed to over the course of time. Here is a stripped down book with a great story with great characterization and the sense of being taken for a ride. Not a “heavy” book by any means but a wonderfully written one that does make you think about things and only serves as a reminder that a great book doesn’t necessarily have to be a “difficult” one in order to have an impact.

“V” by Thomas Pynchon: A recent recommendation to me (Thank you Michael Haugh!) This is me finally getting around to reading Pynchon. I knew from the first few pages that there was something very special going on here. An incredibly written novel with so much going on it boggles the mind. It was clear to me after reading this why Pynchon is considered a national treasure. There were similarities to Georges Perec’s “A Void” (although Perec’s book came after this one.) It’s got everything going for it: the prose, the style, the “voice”, the infinite “layers”, the satire, the humor, and a host of incredibly obscure historical references that excite a history buff like myself. This book was a “game changer” for me as well, revealing again how there really isn’t any one set “rule” of what a novel is supposed to be. A truly original work and to think that Pynchon was only in his mid-20s when he wrote this boggles the mind. A true talent, a writer in a class by himself, one in which many aspire to but doubtful they’ll ever equal.

I can’t think of any more at the moment but I’m sure there are some I’m missing. These are the one’s I can think of right off the top of my head. For anyone reading this out there, if you write and/or are just an avid reader, I’d love to know which books had this kind of impact on you and why. Feel free to comment or drop me a line. I’d really love to know.

Onward...

Impressions: Two by Chuck Palahniuk: "Lullaby" and "Diary"

Two things I love about Chuck Palahniuk’s work. First, his imagination. Where does he come up with this stuff? Second: his ability to nail all the neurotic tendencies of my generation: all the craziness, the weirdness, the dark side (well, not necessarily “dark” because it is often infused with a generous amount of satire and humor, but I think you get the idea). He nails my generation’s eccentricities and weirdness on the head each and every time. Oh, and there’s a third thing I love about his work: his ability to weave in things into the stories that make them about more than the actual story being told. Example: in “Lullaby” there is a lot about animal rights and ecological issues, mainly spoken through the mouth of the character “Oyster”. At it’s core “Lullaby” is basically a cross between a horror story and a Noir but with all this other stuff mixed in that makes it a truly enjoyable book. Strip away Palahniuk’s touches and the plot could have very well been straight out of a Stephen King novel. The story is basically about a reporter covering a story about a rash of sudden infant death syndrome taking place due to the reading of a “Culling Song”, an African lullaby usually sung to ease the pain of those who are sick or infirm. Add to this the supernatural and a witches coven disguising itself as a Real Estate agency, and I think you get the picture as to where this one is going.

“Diary” is another novel which could be considered “Horror” but more psychological in nature. Again, we have Palahniuk weaving in the history of art and the idea of where one gets their inspiration from; what motivates those who have the drive to create. This is all under the surface, of course. On the surface, it is a quasi-supernatural tale involving a conspiracy theory to commit insurance fraud. However, there is something else under the surface: the idea of ridding “invaders” who are thought to be “ruining one’s way of life”. The style of this novel seemed different for Palahniuk. It is written in the form of a diary to someone in a coma, explaining everything that happened after he fell victim to what many at first believed was a suicide attempt. You’ll have to read it to see that there’s more going on.

I’ve been reading Palahniuk’s novels beginning with the excellent “Fight Club” and working my way, in order, to the most current. One reason is that I want to see how he progresses (if he progresses, that is) and clear the field for his upcoming weirdness called “Damned”. So far I’ve been enjoying them but some more than others, which I think is only natural. I would recommend these two, although I preferred “Lullaby”.

Rating: “Lullaby” * * * * / “Diary” * * * 1/2

NOVEMBER RUST (RADIO EDIT)

In 2007, I released my first novel “November Rust”. There have been blog posts before about this book and the “trials and tribulations” I went through writing it (if interested in the whole story, please refer to “The Writing Life” posts). In these posts, I made no secret of the things I had always found wrong with that book but it was my first and I suppose there’s always some pride in their first novel. Sometimes just completing one is an achievement in and of itself. I’m not going to rehash the whole thing here but I will say that over the course of the past 5 years, in the back of my mind, I had always wondered what that book would have read like had it been stripped of all the experimentation, the asides, the labyrinthine nature of the story, the “soapbox” stuff, and just get it down to a simple, linear story and a more digestible, accessible size. (The original novel runs at 510 pages)

Well, I finally decided to do something about that nagging feeling of mine and this is the result. Personally, I prefer this version of the book. It’s leaner, more digestible. I decided to release this version as an alternative to the original version. This version is for those who don’t want to---or are unwilling to---wade through all the experimentation and the labyrinthine nature of the original. At the same time, I wanted to keep the original version available for those who were interested in reading it. This new version is---dare I say---a more “commercial” version of the book. For me, personally, the story is the thing. Always had been. This version, this “radio edit” of sorts (a little wink towards my music days), keeps the story intact. Nothing was changed other than the size of the novel. I didn’t so much take the scalpel to it as I did a chainsaw, retooled with a new look and soon to be available at fine on-line book outlets everywhere. At the moment, it is available here. Just follow the link.

I want to take the time to thank Dundee Scotland’s own Garry Crystal, who a few years ago wrote a nice review/interview of the original version of the book, who kept believing in this book when I no longer did. Garry is a talented writer in his own rite and you can find his work here. Thank you Garry for everything. And a huge thank you to those who bought the original version and offered their advice, criticisms, and general feedback. You all know who you are. It doesn’t go unappreciated.

In the next two weeks my new novel “Be Still and Know That I Am” will be released. More word on that when the time comes. In the meantime, thank you all for reading.

Onward...

Impressions: Recent Reads

The Sexual Life of an Islamist in Paris - Leïla Marouane

A devoutly religious Muslim is conflicted between tradition and modernity: a subject done a million times over the years but Algerian author Leïla Marouane gives it a unique twist. It is written by a woman in the voice of a man---and she pulls it off extremely well. The protagonist is a Franco-Algerian raised by a very traditional Islamic family living in the suburbs of Paris. He decides he wants to live a more “Francophone” life, even changing his name to reflect his newfound identity. He settles into a brand new luxury apartment in the most fashionable district in Paris and the hunt for women begins. Still connected to his very traditional family, he is often conflicted, guilt-ridden but determined to carve out a life of his own, a life free from obligations to his religion and his family. A man balanced between two worlds, where cultures and ideologies often clash. At times it’s quite bizarre but it is well worth the read. Highly recommended.

Rating: * * * *

At the Café/The Talisman - Mohammed Dib

A collection of short stories by the renowned Algerian author, poet and journalist. Many of these tales reflect the days of French colonialism and the struggle for independence and the effect French occupation had on Algerian culture. Highly existential and very enjoyable. Recommended.

Rating: * * * *

Talismano - Abdelwahab Meddeb

From Tunisia. Reads like a fever dream, very reminiscent of the writing style of Spanish author Juan Goytisolo’s early works. Difficult and full of symbolism. A knowledge---even a little---of Arab/North African history would help. The narrator returns to Tunisia and walks the streets of his hometown, the past and present colliding and interweaving. Not a traditional novel by any means but a damn good one. The language is superb, often times poetic, inventive. This type of novel isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but for me it reminds me of some of the best experimental writing to come out of the post-modern era. Highly recommended but not an easy read.

Rating: * * * * *