Jason Pettus's Blog, page 15

Book Review: "A Cure for Suicide," by Jesse Ball

A Cure for Suicide By Jesse Ball Pantheon Books Reviewed by Chris Schahfer Jesse Ball already wrote this book. There's nothing particularly wrong with it as a self-contained unit, no narrative dead ends or clunky prose constructions, and even if the characters seem a little underdeveloped, that's okay because Ball's project doesn't involve complex characters. He's a novelist of ideas, and he's got enough control over his ideas to translate them into novel form without seeming like he's lectu...

Book Review: "The Mark and the Void" by Paul Murray

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) The Mark and the Void By Paul Murray Farrah, Straus and Giroux Reviewed by Jason Pettus Although I never did...

Book Review: "Nakamura Reality," by Alex Austin

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) Nakamura Reality By Alex Austin Permanent Press Reviewed by Karl Wolff After the tragic drowning deaths of hi...

Book Review: "The Advanced Oenophile" by Denman Moody

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) The Advanced Oenophile By Denman Moody Self-published Reviewed by Jason Pettus This was my first pick from my...

Book Review: "Seeing Red," by Lina Meruane

Seeing Red By Lina Meruane Deep Vellum Publishing Reviewed by Chris Schahfer Based on her sudden rise in the past few months, I wouldn't blame you for thinking Lina Meruane was a relative newcomer. That was my first thought, but the Chilean-born Meruane debuted in 1998 and has since won rave reviews in her native country; no less than the late Roberto Bolao described her as "one of the one or two greats in the new generation of Chilean writers who promise to have it all." The Bolao endorseme...

Book Review: "The Big Drugstore" by Patrick Irelan

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) The Big Drugstore By Patrick Irelan Ice Cube Press Reviewed by Jason Pettus In a way, pastiches can be a lot...

Book Review: "The Children's Crusade" by Ann Packer

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) The Children's Crusade By Ann Packer Scribner / Simon & Schuster Reviewed by Jason Pettus Quotes on this book...

Book Review: "If Jack Had" by Steven Rappaport

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) If Jack Had By Steven Rappaport Black Rose Writing Reviewed by Jason Pettus I have a special sympathetic plac...

Book Review: "Find Your Purpose Using Science" by Dr. Gleb Tsipursky

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) Find Your Purpose Using Science By Dr. Gleb Tsipursky Intentional Insights Reviewed by Jason Pettus I'll say...

First Time Around: "Angels," by Denis Johnson

Angels By Denis Johnson Alfred A. Knopf, 1983 Reviewed by Chris Schahfer It seems to me like the enormous success of 1992's Jesus' Son spoiled Denis Johnson. That book is great: deft in managing its odd fragmented timeline, willing to take immense narrative stunt-dives like the "you ridiculous people" ending of "Car Crash While Hitchhiking," unflinching in its grotesqueness but not without moments of beauty, even moments that transcend the grime. Johnson himself has been oddly dismissive of...