Skirt and the Fiddle

by tristan-egolf

Tossing aside his musical career and heterosexuality after a particularly discouraging gig, violinist Charlie, accompanied by sodden anarchist Tinsel and a host of other colourful characters, raises money illegally by killing sewer rats before falling for the bewitching Louise.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Literature, Contemporary

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Manu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pos ok

[Galactic Hero · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one plays up the strengths of Barnyard, dazzling descriptions of cartoon mayhem and squalor, while addressing Barnyard's biggest weakness (too darn long). So I think I get the general idea, but still don't really recommend it. You can find the general plot elements: drunken vandalism, shoplifting, bashing rats, falling for a caricature of a lady better treated in more depth in your average episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

[Anna Ward-Gow · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s going to be very difficult for me to summon the interest to read Egolf’s other two novels (which I’ve heard many good things about) after this disappointment.

The humour wasn’t redeeming, (was it even humour?), and none of the characters made an impact. The story was a mess of intentional mess. Zero substance.

Grrr! It’s clearly even put me in a bad mood. I do not recommend.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of his three books this is the weakest. Lord and Kornwolf are much more engaging works with more interesting characters. Here, Charlie and Greetz are barely likable and the enigmatic Louise is more plot device than flesh and blood.

[Mercurymouth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole time I read this I could not think of the narrator as anybody but Tristan. Greetz- perhaps his uninhibited punk alter ego... Maybe.

[Michael Flick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sophomoric.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frantic second novel, arguably set in Philadelphia, but that could just be my interpretation as that's where I was when I read it. This book was as intense and absurd as Lord of the Barnyard, but significantly darker and perhaps a bit more confusing. Really liked this book and just wish it had been longer.

[Andrew]

Lord of the Barnyard is a total romp of a novel, but it also managed to be tight and focused. My problem with Skirt and the Fiddle is that it isn't tight and focused. It's downright sloppy. The focus is, to me, what gave Egolf his edge when I first read him, and it was what separated him from the low-grade, adolescent rants of Chuck Palahniuk and Tom Robbins. This felt like a step backward. Hmm.

[Spoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as epic as Lord of the Barnyard, and not as focused as Kornwolf, this book is a pounding hangover. It's sloppy, rambunctious, crude, and funny as hell. it's the way your best friends should be. awesomely fun read.

[Massimo Foglio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ritmo discontinuo ma tutto sommato avvincente.
Un finale geniale.
Bisogna abituarsi allo stile di scrittura sicuramente non convenzionale, ma una volta assimilato il libro diviene godibilissimo.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

RIP Tristan Egolf

Thanks for the stories

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of disappointing, given what Egolf was capable of. I should give it another shot, to be fair, but his first andlast books are far more engaging.

[Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes place in West Philly. That's all.

[Avi]

I told you, I'm reading his entire output.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointing after the magic that was "Lord of the Barnyard."

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm expecting this to be like "Lord of the Barnyard" (which I loved) and it's just... not.

[Nfpendleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lean and economical yet bursting with character. Goddamn hilarious novel by a brilliant author who could have been one of The Greats.

[keatssycamore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humor is a variable thing. So when I tell you that this guy's writing makes me laugh, YMMV.

[Zachary Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Egolf's shining moments. Yet, it's worth a re-read.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent tale with some very funny parts, but the build up the calamity has got nothing on Egolf's previous effort, and suffers for it. I'm looking forward to reading Kornwolf, still.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, that was certainly less charming than expected. Also, why did it feel like it was set in England? There's intentionally not making sense, and then there's this.

[Hani · Rating 1 out of 5]

a waste of time.

[Michael Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down, finished in roughly 24 hours...reminded me of the F*ck Up...very well written, characters made the story!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absurd, intelligent, and darkly comic. Sorry we lost Egolf so young; all 3 of his novels are worthwhile.

[Elaine Reinhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read; Interesting characters with twists and turns.