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Josh's Reviews > The Long Home
The Long Home
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William Gay, rest his soul, had a way of crafting a story that while reminiscent of other great contemporary authors also hits spots that are so very uniquely his. You know how some books just flow? The ones where you can follow the author's process behind a desk as they seemingly let their thoughts create a rough draft initially only to come back with slight edits where needed because the spontaneous creative process was what the author was trying to convey........well that's not Gay. Particularly in this one, you can tell that his writing in the settings, phrasings, descriptions, and plot developments were married in a wrenching and painstaking way. I for one appreciate the heck out of his labor. His way with words, while in no way similar to how anyone (particularly Gay) would carry out a conversation, is superb.
Some would find this too dark in subject matter, and it certainly is a dirty little look into some pretty unsavory crap, but it is also beautiful and for me the good out weighs the bad. It's not one where all the loose ends straighten, or where good entirely trumps evil and we get the outcomes and closure we want. This is more believable than that, and in being so it isn't a finish it and move on book. These folks seat in your brain as real and will stay a part of your life for time to come.
Personally, while it still makes my favorite shelf, I still "like" Provinces of Night even more, but that's no real surprise, I kinda knew that before I started. I would also say it is a slower journey, ramping up more gradually, working toward the crescendo which is back end loaded. For a first time reader, oddly I would recommend Twilight (not the vampire saga......although there is some "blood sucking" in play) even though his other works are my favorites. Go grab something by this man for Pete's sake, he's great.
Some would find this too dark in subject matter, and it certainly is a dirty little look into some pretty unsavory crap, but it is also beautiful and for me the good out weighs the bad. It's not one where all the loose ends straighten, or where good entirely trumps evil and we get the outcomes and closure we want. This is more believable than that, and in being so it isn't a finish it and move on book. These folks seat in your brain as real and will stay a part of your life for time to come.
Personally, while it still makes my favorite shelf, I still "like" Provinces of Night even more, but that's no real surprise, I kinda knew that before I started. I would also say it is a slower journey, ramping up more gradually, working toward the crescendo which is back end loaded. For a first time reader, oddly I would recommend Twilight (not the vampire saga......although there is some "blood sucking" in play) even though his other works are my favorites. Go grab something by this man for Pete's sake, he's great.
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Reading Progress
March 3, 2013
– Shelved
December 2, 2013
–
Started Reading
December 2, 2013
– Shelved as:
group-reads-on-the-southern-litera
December 2, 2013
–
7.39%
"Starting the last (published) novel of arguably my favorite author William Gay as a December read within the group On The Southern Literary Trail. Join us and I'd almost promise a wild yet enjoyable ride."
page
19
December 12, 2013
–
Finished Reading
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Melanie
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rated it 5 stars
Dec 13, 2013 01:40AM
Great review Josh, I love this novel
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I haven't read this yet but I think it will be hard to beat Twilight. Very good review, quite convincing. Now that you have read them all will you reread?
Lay that hammer down, Josh. You nailed it. Great review. I sincerely hope you're wrong about "Lost Country." However, I think you may be right. My source shared that novel was to the editor, but it was a draft. I'd even be happy with that.
Mike wrote: "Lay that hammer down, Josh. You nailed it. Great review. I sincerely hope you're wrong about "Lost Country." However, I think you may be right. My source shared that novel was to the editor, b..."I know a guy who knows a guy (typical literary snobbery) that has a worked draft of Lost Country. Supposedly, there is an edited version at the publisher, but there were contract issues between Gay, his agent, and the publisher......which now have drifted into disputes between his heirs, his agent, and his publisher. The assumption is that any profit from the production of the manuscript would be eaten up by litigation (those dang lawyers---wink, wink) and perhaps Uncle Sam.....sad. I hope that somewhere along the way we will see it, but I think it is unlikely.
A superb review Josh ! I hate to say it , but I am just finishing this one because I had some new books that I could not wait to read. So I am behind as usual with our group reading and reviews . William Gay is a treasure and another reason I feel writing is one of those God given gifts to certain people who have the appropriate senses , calm expressive spirits full of graciousness for God's world. A writer has a gift for empathizing with every living thing or any imagined object he can describe . A writer is just gifted with the ability to freely allow curiosity to overcome every analytical appetite in his thinking and breathing that he must understand or try to gain the knowledge to make some sense of the experiences he walks through in life. A writer is a born seeker with a distinct way of communicating his messages to others as though they have composed a musical masterpiece for a symphony orchestra . Sometimes the music comes about in different tones and voices than others but we have been reading some mighty fine born writers that include William Gay, Larry Brown , and William Faulkner just to name a few. There are so many more that have the gift to perfect their words with such vivid and elaborate descriptions of settings, characters, and events of conflict and beauty displayed by God's creation. When I get my new computer , I promise I will write examples and quotes to go along with my statements to support my words like proper reviews. Until then , just know that reading is not just a hobby for me. I have read for many different reasons all of my life. Reading is an expression of lessons you can choose to carry with you throughout your life until you reach THE LONG HOME . There is not a book I can say I have read that I have regretted . Because of reading , I am who I am. This may not say I am perfect , but it says everyday that I read I struggle more to try to understand about becoming the person I need to be to serve my purpose for God's gift of life and how I can use my skills to make the world around us better.
God Bless all you Readers
And Writers ... Dawn
