And the Ass Saw the Angel

Modern Faulkner

This is essentially modern Faulkner. It's dark and it constantly feels as if everything - plot, characters, location - is about to descend into complete madness.

That is to it's credit. The book is difficult to read as the stylization is VERY specifically tailored to the book's feel. It is written in a southern American vernacular in much the same way as "Trainspotting" was written in a Scottish vernacular or "Everything is Illuminated" was written in a Ukrainian/broken English vernacular.

Once you've gotten through the first chapter or two and the method behind the madness is gleaned, however, it's an excellent story and difficult to put down. Highly recommended if you can get your hands on a copy (I think it's out of print at this point).

The greatest book ever

The most ingenious, imagininative, and innovative book ever read. A must read if you are willing to let the truth hit you and take a stranglehold.

A perfect book

The best book ever written. With "the teachings of Don Juan" in a close 2nd.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Good - the wonderful depictions of character and landscape, the brilliant "voice" of Euchrid telling his tale - the poignant moments of clarity and vivid emotion - the honest search for meaning and the author's utter lack of deference to "good taste" and "politeness"; Bad - the big "scrambled egg" prose style - attempting to pack too much into the one novel; Ugly - incoherence and lack of discipline in the writing; this is sometimes brought on by the "I've swallowed (or at least had my head stuck in) a dictionary and want to make damn sure you know it!" excess of obscurities.

Unimaginably Awe-Inspiring

Quite possibly the best work of fiction ever penned my human hands... While unconventional, and at times over the top as far as gore or depictions of suffering, if you can get past your own weak stomach to see the truth that lies in the Euchrid Euchrow inside us all, you'll see this book for what it truly is... a heartbreaking work of staggering genius.

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