Review of Veins by Drew

The only sensible way to describe Drew is to explain why he is not Charles Bukowski.

1. Though a dread of life permeates Veins, the narrator isn’t defeated by it. He has been doomed by bad parenting, bad schooling, bad genetics, and essentially an entire community that has refused to raise a soft-hearted man completely incapable of raising himself. Motorcycle Dude isn’t beyond resentment, but he refuses to be controlled by it.

2. The artistry in the words is more subtle and way more satisfying. His ability to instill complex ideas into simple phrasing is on display throughout Veins, leading to one of the best closing lines of any book I’ve read in quite a while.

3. Within Veins, you always understand that you are dealing with a character that may be deficient of mind, but not deficient of spirit. This makes the reader’s anguish more pronounced. Hope sustains throughout that things will change for Motorcycle Dude. It seems impossible, but you hope all the same.

4. It makes more sense why the peripheral characters are so flat. With Bukowski, it seems stubborn and close-minded. With Drew, it’s because his character can’t connect with humanity no matter how hard he may try. His myopia isn’t a choice. It’s a curse.

This book reads quickly, almost as a series of loosely linked vignettes rather than a traditional novel, but it can be hard on the soul. Worth it, but be forewarned that you may need something within arms reach to hug onto. More of Drew at toothpastefordinner.com.