A review by t_bone
Ablutions by Patrick deWitt

5.0

I have fallen platonically in love with Patrick deWitt. Usually when I read a book I think to myself, I could have written this, if I wanted to. But I can't match de wit of deWitt (exhibit A). His powers of invention and quality of prose kept my smiling though every page. Maybe some of the appeal of this novel, about an alcoholic L.A. barman plying his trade, stemmed from the fact that it brought back fond memories of my own days working behind the jumps. All the characters made me nostalgic for the sad and crazy drunks I once served so poorly and for the coworkers who differed only from the punters by which side of the bar they stood. This novel, DeWitt's first I believe, is not as off-beat as the others, but should appeal to lovers of Bukowski for its revelling in alcohol, sex, and general seediness.