Jesus' Son (Picador Modern Classics)

by Denis Johnson

[Stephanie]

I am giving this four stars, not because it was like 'OMG SO GOOD' but I think it deserves better than two stars, which is what I would have given it if I was going on personal preference. The four stars is for the writing. Worth every penny if you want something so interestingly well written and given life behind the words (even if it's not the greatest one)

There are a lot (A LOT) of drug references, and I knew that going in, but it's much more than substance abuse. The Nation writes that this book is like 'a ticker into the subconscious mind' and I fully believe that. Often I was enveloped in this random though process, as if he was writing these while high or intoxicated and that I too was in those states, but trying desperately to follow along. The language in some parts of this were just.. stunning and beautiful. And worth the read should anyone ever want to delve into the mind of someone on the path to sobriety.

Were I going off my own tastes, I was often confused and concerned for what happened to this man. Perhaps this might be best used as intervention reading material, or preemptive warnings to anyone thinking of going into drugs and overt drinking -- because the life he lives is quite frankly, messed up.