Darrell's an elegant and mischievous writer, he's an imaginative inventor of characters and narrative lines, and he's an inspired evoker of young-male experience ... The result is a small miracle of unpushy quirkiness and sweetness. Reading "Youthful Desires" is like hanging out -- and just for the pleasure of it -- with a longtime friend.
Did Kerouac feel this good after reading his NYTBR rave? I think not. Not just praise, but also Michael's usual thought-provocation in one dandy package, here.
But wait: there's more!
Stereotypes don’t apply here. These stories sting with contemporary dilemmas, ache with love broken by culture, tickle with small comforts. His short stories are not dashed off in incoherent moments of self-indulgence, but worked out over decades with much reflection ... Darrell’s gift is both his empathy for ordinary guys in tough trade-offs and his grip on the big problems that theologians take on. In my opinion, that’s the heart of ministry AND the heart of literature: “Where do we come from? Where are we going? What must we do to be saved?” -- Mary Scriver
It’s been a long time since I’ve read any fiction, and about as long since I’ve read anything not directly related to doing my job. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but it seemed no longer had I opened the book - all of a sudden I was on page 99 -- Preacher Dan
If you folks have enjoyed reading his alter-ego's blog, you will enjoy his book. I encourage you all to buy it -- DarkoV
[H]e's a wonderful, funny, evocative writer, as we all knew, and that's true of his fiction as well ... reminded me of the late Breece D'J Pancake -- Philip Christman
My heartfelt thanks to one and all! Now, if I can just get my head through the door, I believe I'll tend to the laundry...
Wow - great review from Michael!
ReplyDeleteFish don't fry in the kitchen;
Beans don't burn on the grill.
Took a whole lotta tryin',
Just to get up that hill.
Now your up in the big leagues,
Gettin' your turn at bat*.
*A little liberty with the lyrics
Many congrats!
WP,
ReplyDeleteYes, an absolutely great review from quite the strict reviewer. It's a Cut-Paste-Post that should be framed.
My favorite line from the taskmaster was:
"Darrell's an elegant and mischievous writer, he's an imaginative inventor of characters and narrative lines, and he's an inspired evoker of young-male experience. In a pro sense he has nothing to apologize for. But by going the Lulu route he has also made a choice to protect and nourish what's really distinctive and lovely about his writing. The result is a small miracle of unpushy quirkiness and sweetness".
Hope the Lulu counter starts clicking.
...which is mostly a repetition of what you've posted. But, his point is well-served to be repeated again and again!
ReplyDeleteWOW, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI wander away from your blog for a week and look what I miss!
Mighty congratulations, sir!
(oh, and I'm loving your bike ruminations -- I just bought a cheap aluminum Raleigh from Crappy Tire. I hope it gets me to Montreal!)