I haven't reviewed anything in ages.
Honestly I was wondering for a while if I'd ever get back in to the
habit of it. I decided to jump back in with D.B.C. Pierre's Booker
Prize winning debut “Vernon God Little”. My decision wasn't
based on a particular love for the book, as one might assume, nor was
it based on a deep hatred of it. I say this noticing that this novel
obviously inspired a fair bit of both on Goodreads. My desire to
review this came instead from those strong reactions it has drawn out
of other people. I enjoy seeing a book get discussed with real vigor
by both defenders and detractors. My feelings on the work actually
fall somewhere in the middle ground. (If I could give it 3 and ½
stars I would)
On one hand I see why a voice like
Vern's could captivate some readers. The vulgarity and biting social
commentary coming from a 15 year old kid can be endearing to the
right ear. It may also be infuriating and laughable to the wrong
one. I was made to understand quite early on that I was supposed
to sympathize with Vernon.
Likewise I was prompted to immediately dislike the vast majority of
Pierre's secondary characters in this small Texas town. I did get a
few laughs out of the observations young Vern provided, which is the
most one has the right to hope for in a book dealing with the fallout
of a school shooting. Still there were some overblown caricatures
here that somewhat tarnished the overall strength of what would
otherwise be perfectly valid criticisms of modern American life.
I've
seen some responses that lambasted the Booker Prize selection
committee – one reviewer who was apparently very offended stated
that this was ' more proof that the Brits hate the United States' or
some such blah. (ignoring the fact that although D.B.C. Pierre sounds
like the name of a slimy Frenchmen – he is in fact a resident of
the U.S.) Booker Prize winners haven't always struck me as great.
In fact some have left me rather bored, but I wouldn't suggest that
it proves much of anything about animosity felt across the pond.
I
found this mostly entertaining if at times implausible. It does
attempt to tackle heady issues, with a humorous bent -which as a
lover of satire I can only appreciate. I won't give any spoilers away
– the little blurb on the back cover says all you need to know, if
you are wondering whether you'd be interested in it.
I
went along D.B.C. 's insistence about who to root for, and who to
despise in the story. But there is a point where I draw the fucken
line partner ; *being the only reviewer I know who pairs their
criticism with a musical accompaniment I could not in good conscious
(or good taste, whichever
you prefer ) make my return to reviewing and leave you all listening
to an awful Glen Campbell song. No siree, I just wouldn't do that to
you. So instead, here is a song that was quite clearly inspired by
the novel itself.
“See
Me And Suffer “ by Owen Hackett
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