"'Books, think about it, the writer of a book does envy, sloth, gluttony, lust, larceny, greed or what? Oh, vanity. He don't miss a single one of them. He is a peeping Tom, an onanist, a busybody, and He's faking humility every one of God's minutes. Especially those Christian ones that write about lawyers or accountants killing each other.'""'That's a sermon's sermon, boy. Well done. Drive on, my good man, drive on.'"This is like the most demented epic poem you'll ever read. Chock full of all of the above. Hannah's crazy is a ruthless and earnest kind, electrifying and hysterical and above all honest. Not a false note to be found in this book, which is probably his most dense and complex. Truth screams off every page. "Most thoughts that were any good, he recalled, were merely getting frank with an ancient truth."I can't talk about Hannah without quoting him. This is now the most highlighted book in my collection. He levels the world with his sentences, wringing equally captivating and martian-like poetry out of everything, small or large, brief or timeless: murder, love, religion, a boat, a tree stump, a football. Even a man getting ready to puke:"This thing wanting out of him so quickly, like a hot weasel in a tube." (My personal favorite sentence.)I'll spare the community all the dialogue exchanges I highlighted. But here's one:"'Her job's a part of her isn't nobody else's,' said Jacob. 'She can't quit.'""'You want more money for her staying on?' asked Hare.""'I never thought the least about money,'""'She heard what you been up to. Hare lied and told her all yall had was dummy zombies. Where are they?' Sponce demanded.""'Sitting in their own peace.'""'You a wart.'""'None of that's the point,' Hare said. 'The point is you were somewheres like two stray dogs. Off. Else I dreamt it.'"If that stirs you out of context, then my bet is you'll enjoy this book. You'll never read another like this one, or any of Hannah's works, at that. Hannah was one of those rare true originals. I read his works in awe of such a strange and brilliant talent.
You ever finish a book and say to yourself 'huh, maybe i missed something.' Because really, at the risk of offending those that really really like this book, I simply don't get it. The novel doesn't confuse me, just the praise it has received. Because I enjoyed the first 1/3 and then it just seemed too meandering, too unfocused, too ephemeral in all the wrong ways. The writing isn't lacking, and-again, perhaps I am wrong-there is a host of interesting characters, but for those compliments the thing is....this books doesn't really go anywhere. There I said it. Nice dialogue-Hannah excels at writing some great vernacular-strewn dialogue-and this has an interesting setting, too. But.not.much.happens. At all. And I can forgive that. I loved the Orchard Keeper by McCarthy that often received the same complaint. But, Mr. Hannah, you are no Cormac McCarthy. (But in your defense, I don't perceive that you think you are anyway.)
Do You like book Yonder Stands Your Orphan (2015)?
Could not finish this book. The plot was interesting but executed poorly. I couldn't identify with any of the characters. Too many words on philosophies, viewpoints, and setting and unable to hold my attention. The writing ran every which way, with hardly any focus. The story would jump from character to character randomly and suddenly. I made it about halfway through the book and not much has happened at all. Had to put this one down, and I rarely ever give up on a book. I simply stopped caring about the story line, and I didn't care about any of the characters to begin with.
—Tracey Lin
"A sort of burned laughter." Many people I'm close to swear by Barry Hannah. His sentences stone, his proclamations astute and usually off-color. That said, if you didn't grow up fishing with your male relatives then Hannah's choice of subject matter probably won't appeal. His scenes run unbelievable in plot and yet accurate in humanity & frailty. Again, though, you may not care about men drinking whiskey in a fishing shack who are pondering locally-made porn. "The better part of my malformation was my own."I think having the main villain resemble country singer Conway Twitty (whom both of my parents love) won me over. I'd certainly recommend Hannah's books over Harry Crews if you're looking for contemporary Southern absurdities.
—Travis
OK, seriously. I love being back home in the South, and I especially love being in Oxford. I get the romance of Oxford... at least as far as a Memphian can. I never pass within 300 miles of Square Books without going in. So it was with great eagerness and anticipation that I bought this Barry Hannah book, in 2010, the year that he died. The cover is festooned with praise from every great publication and every notable reviewer you can think of, and then 30 more after that. It basically says one hundred times on the book cover that you, whoever you are, are simply going to ADORE THIS BOOK and perhaps so much so that you will NEVER BE ABLE TO READ ANOTHER ONE. I gave it about 50 pages, then I shrugged and went, "meh." I have since continued reading and am I a Hannah fan? Not so much, thanks.
—Stacey
