The Red Truck

by Rudy Wilson

This is the story of Billy-Billy Jump and Teddianne Sayers. They tell it to us—strangely, very strangely—in their own appalled, stuporous, bewildered words. The time is the 1950s; the place, small town in the rural South. Transfixed by the accidental death of his little brother, Billy-Billy Jump turns inward; he dreams of a girl. She is his double, a doppelganger, himself as another self somewhere remote from where he is. Billy-Billy Jump comes to construe this presence as the offered replacement of a kind of absence in himself. Only in her, through her, with her, can he complete himself, make himself whole. The world turns away from him—parents, playmates, school. There is nothing but the girl, the sensation of the girl, her ghostly promise of some kind of spiritual fulfilment. But who is she? Where is she? In the queer syntax of Billy-Billy Jump's disordered heart, the girl answers his quest by transforming herself into Billy-Billy's idea of Christ, whereas she, Teddianne Sayers—quite apart from the influence of Billy-Billy's example—is consumed by a very different idea of Christ. She has seen Him—on the streets, at the curb—He ia a red truck. It is from these materials that Rudy Wilson conflects a nightmare of widening dementia. Darting back and forth in time and imagination to the lives that they might once have lived and to the that they yearn to live, Billy-Billy and Teddianne careen along a macabre American dreamscape in search of an end to their endless searching. The result is a novel certain to be recorded as one of the most unsettling, erotic, and unshakable narratives in recent literary history.

178 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 1987

Reviews

[Caulen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the strangest novel I've read in a long time. It barely makes sense to me after one reading... it's like a drugged dream told by someone who sees the world through such a detached/lost lens... and constantly searching (for Jesus?). I've read that this book was really edited down by Gordon Lish - I'm almost afraid to know what else was in it. The only thing I can compare this to is a Thomas Ligotti story (though this isn't horror): the lonely separation from the world/surroundings; very little description -- though Rudy Wilson writes in a more poetic/experimental manner than Ligotti.

I guess I also would compare it to Pedro Paramo in that the presence of a spirit - in this case the brother of the main narrator who died in a childhood accident - plays a major role in the book. Billy-Billy Jump (the main narrator/character) creates a character (Tedianne) in his head and they grow apart, occasionally via narration shifts.

Definitely need to read this again... it's one of those rare books that will always stay with me though. Deeply disturbing in a subtle way.

[Eamon Loingsigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a time when so many authors concern themselves with respectability, Wilson opens his soul and tells you how he really feels. Of course too many people see this as weakness which, for me, underscores a bigger problem in the industry. If honesty and clarity of feeling is not appreciated now, the Gods will certainly look on him as a writer to be considered for many generations, unlike so many short-sighted authors vying for university appointments to lighten their financial and emotional burdens.

Eamon Loingsigh

[PaperBird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did a review of this book here: https://youtu.be/UKSVa8VO-g8

[Nicholas Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's all very simple. Rudy Wilson is a genius. The Red Truck is a masterpiece.

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at about halfway through. What the heck!?! This book is totally bizarre. I couldn't take any more.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As disturbing, and as brilliant, as anything by Cormac McCarthy or Steinbeck. Like all literary geniuses, Rudy Wilson won't be properly appreciated until long after he's left this life. Then his work will be required reading.

[in8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://5cense.com/delish_trop_goth.htm

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

this can be a difficult read, but worth it. the moments that tug at your guts latch on for much longer than the time it takes to finish the book. i could go on, but maybe you should just read it.

[Rachel d. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so strange.. i had to read, and keep going. i have no justification.

[Davis Stamford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. I liked it a lot. Full of powerful emotions and no googoo trickery.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best.