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A review by austinstorm
Ablutions by Patrick deWitt
Note: I have stopped giving star reviews, having decided arbitrarily and pretentiously that they are reductionist.
This is a horrible, horrifying novel about an alcoholic bartender, his alcoholic patrons and his life's endless debasements.
The only impressive thing about it is the second person narrative, used very effectively to create an odd distance and a feeling of being underwater the whole time.
Would have quit halfway through, but was able to finish it in one day. I was hoping for redemption, but despite the cheesy TV-grade ending any sort of redemption was too much to ask.
Also, who subtitles their first novel, 'Notes for a Novel'? I call bullshit on that and this whole grimy mess.
Addition: just found out this guy's next got shortlisted for the Booker prize. I say again!
This is a horrible, horrifying novel about an alcoholic bartender, his alcoholic patrons and his life's endless debasements.
The only impressive thing about it is the second person narrative, used very effectively to create an odd distance and a feeling of being underwater the whole time.
Would have quit halfway through, but was able to finish it in one day. I was hoping for redemption, but despite the cheesy TV-grade ending any sort of redemption was too much to ask.
Also, who subtitles their first novel, 'Notes for a Novel'? I call bullshit on that and this whole grimy mess.
Addition: just found out this guy's next got shortlisted for the Booker prize. I say again!