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Neil's Reviews > Tram 83
Tram 83
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Nobody does squalor like Denis Johnson. Except...maybe Fiston Mwanza Mujila does. Both Johnson and Mujila are poets writing novels and both seem able to make you almost literally feel the dirt, poverty and debauchery of the places they describe. Tram 83 is not a wholesome place to be and a lot of the action (if that's the right word) in this book takes place in the titular bar.
It's not worth discussing the plot of this book as there isn't really much of one. It's not, in truth, about the plot. It's about the language and ability of the author to immerse the reader in a world that is almost certainly completely alien to nearly every person who will pick up this book. Certainly, I know I lead a sheltered life of comfort and comparative wealth. I don't know anything about the kind of environment the characters in this book inhabit. But I know that Mujila's writing makes me feel like the dirt of the place has rubbed off on my skin.
Don't read this book for a cleverly plotted story. Do read this book if you enjoy language and can take delight in someone who plays words far better than the musicians in his novel play their instruments.
One of my favourite novels from the MBI long list. It would be on my shortlist.
It's not worth discussing the plot of this book as there isn't really much of one. It's not, in truth, about the plot. It's about the language and ability of the author to immerse the reader in a world that is almost certainly completely alien to nearly every person who will pick up this book. Certainly, I know I lead a sheltered life of comfort and comparative wealth. I don't know anything about the kind of environment the characters in this book inhabit. But I know that Mujila's writing makes me feel like the dirt of the place has rubbed off on my skin.
Don't read this book for a cleverly plotted story. Do read this book if you enjoy language and can take delight in someone who plays words far better than the musicians in his novel play their instruments.
One of my favourite novels from the MBI long list. It would be on my shortlist.
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Tram 83.
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Reading Progress
March 18, 2016
– Shelved
April 4, 2016
–
Started Reading
April 6, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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Paul
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rated it 3 stars
Apr 06, 2016 10:32PM
Excellent review - makes me rethink my experience of the novel and perhaps I ought to bump it on to my personal shortlist as well.
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Thanks, Paul. I had the same experience with some of the reviews you and others wrote about The Vegetarian - made me re-think my reaction to the novel. I'm still not sure it will make it onto my personal shortlist, but I see a lot more in it after reading others' reviews.It's interesting that I think my two favourite MBI novels so far (this and Mend The Living) have been ones that started life in French.
Neil wrote: "Thanks, Paul. I had the same experience with some of the reviews you and others wrote about The Vegetarian - made me re-think my reaction to the novel. I'm still not sure it will make it onto my pe..."On the Vegetarian I am a little biased as Korean is my second (albeit very poorly standard) language. Human Acts is actually the stronger novel and should have been eligible this year.
