Harry Crews blew into my reading life when I saw the cover of CLASSIC CREWS more than a few years ago. I was compelled to buy it. How could you not want to read anything this ugly bruiser had written? Doesn't he look like he has interesting things to say?
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Over the years I have acquired everything he wrote, which was about 20 various novels and bits and pieces all told. Sadly he died a couple of years ago. Not a crime writer by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love him and his books.
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He seems to have been tagged - Southern Gothic, whatever that is.
His Guardian obituary is here.
Body
In his highly acclaimed 11th novel, Crews has written a wild, weird black comedy that takes place over one weekend during a women's bodybuilding competition. A secretary has found a new life as a champion bodybuilding contender, but her turns things upside down with their redneck antics.
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The Mulching of America
Harry Crews turns the classic rags-to-riches story on its head in this hilarious saga of the trials and tribulations of a beleaguered salesman. "An over-the-top comedy in which the veteran wild man of redneck fiction casts his satirical eye on the all-American world of door-to-door sales".--Kirkus Reviews.
Col - Sometimes those weird black comedies can be well-done. I'll admit I've never read Crews' work, but I'm glad you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteMargot, thanks - he's probably not everyone's cup of tea, but I like him and it would be a dull old world if we all agreed on the same books.
DeleteA read or two of him in the next few years - and we'll see if we can't change your mind!
Gazing at those extraordinary covers is probably enough for me....
ReplyDeleteMoira, I thought maybe you might like a book about female body-building.I thought it would be an excellent photo-op for the Clothes in Books blog....
DeleteCrews is my favorite writer! There's a series of four interviews with him on YouTube that are classics. My favorite of his books is A FEAST OF SNAKES. The perfect novel.
ReplyDeleteLes, I perhaps wouldn't class him as my all-time favourite - I maybe need to read a few more yet before I can arrive at a conclusion. A FEAST OF SNAKES is my favourite so far. A close second would be his piece on fathers and sons - heartbreaking.
DeleteI really need to sit through those interviews.
Black comedies are not my thing, in books or movies. But the covers are very nice. Maybe someday I will be inspired to give him a try.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not your thing Tracy, but hey maybe one day there will be one of his that appeals to you.
DeleteCol, I love black comedy/dark humour in books, films, and television, weird or otherwise, although I can't say when I'll get round to these.
ReplyDeleteSame Prashant - a sense of absurdity grabs me, though admittedly not always. Keep an eye out for Crews with your street vendors.
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