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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > November > 18 > Entry
Flashing back to 1966…
I just finished reading “Hard Rain Falling” (New York Review Books Classics) by Don Carpenter.
Wow! What an amazing novel. Written in 1966 and long out of print it was recently reissued. I probably would not have noticed this book if not for George Pelecanos, one of my favorite crime writers. George wrote the intro to this new edition and that got my attention.
Who the heck is Don Carpenter? That was my first question. He died a number of years ago and he has been mostly forgotten. Apparently, this was one of the best things he wrote.
This is the story of a hard luck loser. Poor kid never knew his parents. Grew up in an orphanage. Ends up as a petty criminal haunting pool halls in Portland, Oregon back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.
The kid is lost and he gets into trouble. His rebellion leads him to a prison term. Carpenter’s depiction of life in prison is masterful. His writing style was way ahead of his time. I won’t reveal any more about this fine novel so that you can discover it for yourself.
Suffice it to say, it will probably shock you. A masterpiece of writing.
And here is a bonus link, a recent interview with Michael Chabon.
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: clearing the cobwebs
Comments
By Zimmerman
November 18, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Sounds like it’s from Bob Dylan’s lyrics. You know, “Hard Rain”?