Scan barcode
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
2.5**
From the back cover - Wade “Brown Bottle” Taylor is an alcoholic uncle trying to protect his nephew Nick from the hardness of their region, Eastern Kentucky, and the world in general. To end Nick’s involvement with drugs and drug dealers, Brown must first save himself, overcoming a lifetime spent convinced he is unworthy. Brown Bottle’ journey is one of selflessness and love, redemption and sacrifice, if only for a time.
My reactions
I received this book from the publisher with a commitment to read, comment and participate in an on-line book chat with the author.
Compton writes a gritty, no-holds-barred tale of a man struggling to do what is right. Brown’s sister has abandoned her son, Nick, and Brown tries his best to raise the boy, but Nick is in the grips of drugs and drug dealers. Brown recognizes the signs of despair and hopelessness in his nephew – he should, he lives in despair himself.
Compton is best known for his short stories; this is his first full-length novel. His ability with the short-story format shows in his writing. There are several vignettes that would make great short stories all by themselves – Brown’s “relationship” with Blair for example, or how Mrs Bell gets addicted to painkillers. If there is a failing in this novel it’s that sometimes Compton fails to adequately weave the vignettes together. The novel is only 164 pages long, and could have used more connective tissue.
From the back cover - Wade “Brown Bottle” Taylor is an alcoholic uncle trying to protect his nephew Nick from the hardness of their region, Eastern Kentucky, and the world in general. To end Nick’s involvement with drugs and drug dealers, Brown must first save himself, overcoming a lifetime spent convinced he is unworthy. Brown Bottle’ journey is one of selflessness and love, redemption and sacrifice, if only for a time.
My reactions
I received this book from the publisher with a commitment to read, comment and participate in an on-line book chat with the author.
Compton writes a gritty, no-holds-barred tale of a man struggling to do what is right. Brown’s sister has abandoned her son, Nick, and Brown tries his best to raise the boy, but Nick is in the grips of drugs and drug dealers. Brown recognizes the signs of despair and hopelessness in his nephew – he should, he lives in despair himself.
Compton is best known for his short stories; this is his first full-length novel. His ability with the short-story format shows in his writing. There are several vignettes that would make great short stories all by themselves – Brown’s “relationship” with Blair for example, or how Mrs Bell gets addicted to painkillers. If there is a failing in this novel it’s that sometimes Compton fails to adequately weave the vignettes together. The novel is only 164 pages long, and could have used more connective tissue.
flexdza's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
expendablemudge's review
5.0
New review! BROWN BOTTLE is up at my blog, Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud.
Sheldon Lee Compton writes with a scalpel, and then tells his stories of outsiders and misfits and rage-filled unnecessary people in their own arterial blood. You NEED to read it! Bottom Dog Press gets kudos for taste and fearlessness.
Seriously, y'all, how many writers do this:
...and don't sound like they're hifalutin' city shitheads gettin' a down on the poor kid? Compton is just describing someone he knows, has seen, talked to, maybe even spent a football game with. Yet he's got the clinical detachment and visual acuity to do that character right. Damn!
Sheldon Lee Compton writes with a scalpel, and then tells his stories of outsiders and misfits and rage-filled unnecessary people in their own arterial blood. You NEED to read it! Bottom Dog Press gets kudos for taste and fearlessness.
Seriously, y'all, how many writers do this:
Tuck had always been made smaller made than Stan. Narrow shoulders, tiny hands and short fingers. Even as a young man his brown eyes were always watering like he'd been crying and his face never took hair well. What he had instead were four or five patches of hair that looked like a cluster of bee stingers popping straight out from his cheeks.
...and don't sound like they're hifalutin' city shitheads gettin' a down on the poor kid? Compton is just describing someone he knows, has seen, talked to, maybe even spent a football game with. Yet he's got the clinical detachment and visual acuity to do that character right. Damn!
More...