Reviews

Jesus' Son: Stories by Denis Johnson

alterlynx's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

marisatn's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I started this short story collection in October 2021 and got about halfway through before I decided I hated. However, I never committed to DNFing it, so it’s been in my bedside stack for years. Just picked it up again today and was totally hooked. Sad, slightly strange, sometimes violent, but always engaging. 

prosiaczekk's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

jennylimmy's review against another edition

5.0

It is amazing how one small collection can offer so much while sticking to a consistent set of characters and a consistent style. There’s comedy (e.g. “Emergency”), terror (“Two Men”), and sudden, beautiful transcendence (“Work”). There are many surprising moments that, while unexpected, feel inevitable after the fact. I’m not sure how he does it. Nor am I succeeding in explaining what “it” is. There’s magic here.

dcmr's review against another edition

2.0

All pose, little purpose. Not sure why this has such a cult following.

oedipamaas69's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Although a difficult read at times due to the heavy subject matter, I quite enjoyed this little book. It is a series of vignettes seen through a drug addled haze. My favorite story by far was "Emergency," a strange and quietly disarming story. It's also the funniest one in the collection. "Jesus' Son" was my first foray into Johnson's work, and now I'd like to read more by him.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Medical content, Car accident, and Abortion

goooooby's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

almartin's review against another edition

4.0

1992! denis johnson listen up -- we've decided, and the early/mid 90's now stand for peace and a booming economy. these grim character portraits are messing up the narrative.

also - how unsettling was that story set in chicago? guy who gets kicked out of the planned parenthood?

rachelradiant's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

4.75

rho21's review against another edition

dark inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0