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A review by donnaeve
Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock
5.0
Whew. Love.
One thing about these short stories, (eighteen of them) and, a reader might not be aware of this unless they write, but I thought they were written almost like character studies. Each story took off from the first sentence, and then I just sort of hung on for the ride.
While the common thread throughout pinpoints people who are at rock bottom - and if possible - may have sunk even lower - I couldn't help but see each of them, and feel empathy to some degree as they struggled through their decrepit lives. This batch of human misfits were all card carrying members of The Losers Club. At times they were pitiably funny, downright disgusting, or so inept at making a total mess of their relationships, you might wonder how can anyone get into such situations, or act in such a manner, yet, they will also appear as all too familiar. Maybe you'll find yourself recognizing that one family member, friend, or acquaintance, who just can't seem to get their act together no matter what. I was in these scenes with each character, experiencing what they were experiencing, much to my dismay at times. (yuck)
That's what made each of these tiny tales of turpitude so doggone addicting.
Highly entertaining, highly recommend - but not for the faint of heart or the squeamish.
One thing about these short stories, (eighteen of them) and, a reader might not be aware of this unless they write, but I thought they were written almost like character studies. Each story took off from the first sentence, and then I just sort of hung on for the ride.
While the common thread throughout pinpoints people who are at rock bottom - and if possible - may have sunk even lower - I couldn't help but see each of them, and feel empathy to some degree as they struggled through their decrepit lives. This batch of human misfits were all card carrying members of The Losers Club. At times they were pitiably funny, downright disgusting, or so inept at making a total mess of their relationships, you might wonder how can anyone get into such situations, or act in such a manner, yet, they will also appear as all too familiar. Maybe you'll find yourself recognizing that one family member, friend, or acquaintance, who just can't seem to get their act together no matter what. I was in these scenes with each character, experiencing what they were experiencing, much to my dismay at times. (yuck)
That's what made each of these tiny tales of turpitude so doggone addicting.
Highly entertaining, highly recommend - but not for the faint of heart or the squeamish.