Kevin's review
Knockemstiff
by Donald Ray Pollock
awesome. I can't wait to get this in finally at the library. there's a long list.
Kevin's review
Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock
Kevin's review
rating:
bookshelves:
all-time-faves,
funny-stuff
Yep. I'll put it on my all-time faves list. Donald Ray seems to be working on a much higher, much riskier level than any other new writer out there. This set of slightly-connected stories (they all take place in Knockemstiff, Ohio) is so constantly great that I couldn't help but shake my head. Some people I've talked with about this book have suggested it's too brutal for them to read in long stretches but I found that Pollack's bleak narratives were often spiced up with enough strange details and gut-busting humor to make these tales quite entertaining. I know Ohio isn't really the south, but comparisons could be made with Harry Crews, Padgett Powell, and Barry Hannah.
awesome. I can't wait to get this in finally at the library. there's a long list.