time for a proper review, without my "humour."
I had reservations going into this one. not because I don't think Hosh is a good writer, I know he is. he writes circles around most of the small press stuff stuff I read. shit, any press.
but a whole book about drinking stories? good if you were there, but if you weren't? will it work, regardless of the talent writing it?
my concerns were quickly put to rest. I read the book like one big narrative poem, and I think it works best that way. not that there aren't poems that stand alone as excellent pieces, but I think to get the tone of the work you have to think of it as you would a novel.
I finished the book a while ago, and I still think of it almost every day. I don't say that about many books. it's funny and sad and melancholy without self pity. I think that's what sticks with me most, the balance of humour and sadness.
it makes me want to be a better writer. is there a bigger compliment?
