Monday, December 12, 2011

Joe R. Lansdale, Master Storyteller

I haven't stayed up late to finish a book in a few years. Having children cuts down one's desire to be groggy the next day. They're always on, and a parent isn't really allowed a day off.

Joe R. Lansdale weaves stories I would cringe to write (and give my left pinkie, to boot).  The cringe comes from his subject matter--he doesn't shy away from awful race relations, lynchings, and rape.  But damn, can this man write. My Saturday night became Sunday morning, but I had to finish The Bottoms.

The Bottoms (2000) is beautiful and thrilling, and a fine companion for an older audience looking for a read in the vein of To Kill a Mockingbird.The subject matter is challenging, but realistic, and man... Mr. Lansdale keeps the pages turning.




6 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds good to me. If you haven't read Freezer Burn yet, I'd recommend that one for its southern-fried greatness.

Barry Napier said...

Wow, what a beautiful cover!

Unknown said...

I read The Bottoms a few months ago, and it was fantastic. I have no idea how I hadn't heard of Joe Lansdale before that. He now occupies a few spots on the massive to-be-read pile.

Lyn said...

I read The Boar a few years ago after meeting him at FenCon in Dallas. Good writer.

Elizabeth Twist said...

Freezer Burn is one of my absolute alltime favourites, but anything by Mr. Lansdale is fine by me. The Drive-In was one of those books that made me know I wanted to write the dark stuff.

Cate Gardner said...

I shall have to add that book to my to buy list.