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Robin's Reviews > Jesus' Son
Jesus' Son
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Jesus walks here, among the degenerates, the drunks, the addicts, the living dead that populate the pages of this collection of very short, connected stories. You'll see him in beautiful moments, outstretched hands seeking redemption, the presence of an unlikely trinity of down and outers.
Yes, Jesus. Even though the title refers to lyrics in Lou Reed's song, "Heroin". Jesus and heroin are mixed here. A potent, jarring combination.
The same character who spends his sober evenings as a peeping tom and having twisted fantasies also spends his days working in the hospitals, touching the hopeless and downtrodden with a hand to the shoulder, a reassuring squeeze. The same couple who are drunken strangers in a bar (the woman newly married just a few days) have a connection that one could only describe as divine:
First I put my lips to her upper lip, then to the bottom of her pout, and then I kissed her fully, my mouth on her open mouth, and we met inside.
It was there. It was. The long walk down the hall. The door opening. The beautiful stranger. The torn moon mended. Our fingers touching away the tears. It was there.
Characters here are so close to death, it's not surprising they find Jesus close by. Jesus never had a problem with slumming. He's there on the subway, by the fire in the metal trash can, in the abortion clinic, at the scene of the car crash, in the ER.
Denis Johnson is an exquisite, poetic writer. It makes sense that he was taught by Raymond Carver at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Both writers accomplish much in few words, have a beautiful spareness that cuts to the quick. I would say I had a more emotional reaction to his final collection, The Largesse of the Sea Maiden, but the power and truth contained in Jesus' Son just can't be denied.
It was raining. Gigantic ferns leaned over us. The forest drifted down a hill. I could hear a creek rushing down among the rocks. And you, you ridiculous people, you expect me to help you.
Yes, Jesus. Even though the title refers to lyrics in Lou Reed's song, "Heroin". Jesus and heroin are mixed here. A potent, jarring combination.
The same character who spends his sober evenings as a peeping tom and having twisted fantasies also spends his days working in the hospitals, touching the hopeless and downtrodden with a hand to the shoulder, a reassuring squeeze. The same couple who are drunken strangers in a bar (the woman newly married just a few days) have a connection that one could only describe as divine:
First I put my lips to her upper lip, then to the bottom of her pout, and then I kissed her fully, my mouth on her open mouth, and we met inside.
It was there. It was. The long walk down the hall. The door opening. The beautiful stranger. The torn moon mended. Our fingers touching away the tears. It was there.
Characters here are so close to death, it's not surprising they find Jesus close by. Jesus never had a problem with slumming. He's there on the subway, by the fire in the metal trash can, in the abortion clinic, at the scene of the car crash, in the ER.
Denis Johnson is an exquisite, poetic writer. It makes sense that he was taught by Raymond Carver at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Both writers accomplish much in few words, have a beautiful spareness that cuts to the quick. I would say I had a more emotional reaction to his final collection, The Largesse of the Sea Maiden, but the power and truth contained in Jesus' Son just can't be denied.
It was raining. Gigantic ferns leaned over us. The forest drifted down a hill. I could hear a creek rushing down among the rocks. And you, you ridiculous people, you expect me to help you.
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 55 (55 new)
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Fede
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rated it 5 stars
Jul 25, 2020 11:00AM
Whoa, Robin - I'm overjoyed! This is one of my best 2020 reads and I sensed you'd like it too.
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Fede wrote: "Whoa, Robin - I'm overjoyed! This is one of my best 2020 reads and I sensed you'd like it too."Thanks, Fede. I have a fascination with heroin and drug addiction (which is funny, for such a straight-laced gal) and I think Denis Johnson does an amazing job writing about that world. I had been wanting to read this for ages but COVID kept my book hostage for months and I had just about given up on it, but then it arrived yesterday and I ploughed through the entire collection in no time flat.
I love it when our reading choices overlap!
I never know when the Robin Yeatman Bookmobile is going to come down my street or what will be inside. Thank you for another creatively spun book review highlighting the riches of this book. The Raymond Carver connection sold me.
Joe wrote: "I never know when the Robin Yeatman Bookmobile is going to come down my street or what will be inside. Thank you for another creatively spun book review highlighting the riches of this book. The Raymond Carver connection sold me."I'm glad I can keep surprising you, Joe! I kept thinking, huh, this style kinda reminds me of a Ray Carver story (but substituting booze for smack)... and then when I looked up Denis Johnson's bio details, I was gratified to see he studied in Carver's class. Both are first class in the short story form. I'll be super interested to read your review of this one.
Fab review Robin. I adored "The Largesse of The Sea Maiden", so it's interesting that you felt more emotionally connected to this one. What a writer...
Marvellous review, Robin. Thanks for the reminder that I should read more Johnson. I only read The Largesse of The Sea Maiden.
I already know I need to read this collection, but your splendid review makes me want to get to it very soon, Robin! I've been thinking about reading him for a while, and was recently blown away by one of his poems included in Michael Cunningham's Land's End. I wish someone could tell me how to squeeze more hours out of the day.
Nat wrote: "Fab review Robin. I adored "The Largesse of The Sea Maiden", so it's interesting that you felt more emotionally connected to this one. What a writer..."Thank you, Nat! I was more emotionally moved by The Largesse of the Sea Maiden, but this one was so satisfying as a piece of art, so compact in its delivery (much more compact than Largesse), filled with the hopelessness of addiction but sprinkled with divine moments. Both so good in their own ways. I'm glad you love his writing too.
You should also read Johnson’s novella “Train dreams�. Totally different setting and pace, just to show this writer’s craft.
Bianca wrote: "Marvellous review, Robin. Thanks for the reminder that I should read more Johnson. I only read The Largesse of The Sea Maiden."Thank you, Bianca. Yes, do read more Johnson - but be prepared that this collection is a lot different from Largesse. It's a lot more compact, the stories are connected, and it's deep in the hole of addiction. Truly remarkable.
One of my all time favorites. Great review (as always). “I'll never forget you. Your husband will beat you with an extension cord and the bus will pull away leaving you standing there in tears, but you were my mother.�
This review had me adding it to my "must read list." I'm going to pick this one up in the morning.
Candi wrote: "I already know I need to read this collection, but your splendid review makes me want to get to it very soon, Robin! I've been thinking about reading him for a while, and was recently blown away by one of his poems included in Michael Cunningham's Land's End. I wish someone could tell me how to squeeze more hours out of the day."I know, Candi. I can't believe how fast time goes and how many wonderful books I want to read (and I hear about more and more each day!). If it helps, it takes very little time to read this collection given the spare prose. Many of the stories are only several pages long. By the way, I had no idea that Denis Johnson also wrote poetry. Wow. Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
Constantinos wrote: "You should also read Johnson’s novella “Train dreams�. Totally different setting and pace, just to show this writer’s craft."Hi Constantinos. Thanks for the recommendation! I like it already - written by Denis Johnson, and a novella (I'm in the mood for shorter, powerful books these days).
Jesus' Son is outstanding. I've reread this classic many times over the years, and always find some new phrase that sparks magic. I had tickets to see Johnson speak on this particular book when visiting Auckland a few years back, but at the last minute the event got cancelled due to ill health, then he passed away. Gutted.
John wrote: "One of my all time favorites. Great review (as always). “I'll never forget you. Your husband will beat you with an extension cord and the bus will pull away leaving you standing there in tears, but you were my mother.""Merci beaucoup, John! Glad to know that this is a favourite of yours (loved your review, too!). I especially appreciated seeing the duality of people in this book. Both extreme ends of the spectrum. Jesus and the addict. I remember one of the stories, the main character's friend shot his fellow junkie who died in the car on the way to the hospital. They dump the body, and the main character says of the guy who did the shooting:
"Will you believe me when I tell you there was kindness in his heart? His left hand didn't know what his right hand was doing. It was only that certain important connections had been burned through. If I opened up your head and ran a hot soldering iron around in your brain, I might turn you into someone like that."
Randall wrote: "This review had me adding it to my "must read list." I'm going to pick this one up in the morning."Hi Randall, thanks for your comment - I hope you were able to get a copy and that you find this collection as startling and powerful as I did.
Danny wrote: "Jesus' Son is outstanding. I've reread this classic many times over the years, and always find some new phrase that sparks magic. I had tickets to see Johnson speak on this particular book when visiting Auckland a few years back, but at the last minute the event got cancelled due to ill health, then he passed away. Gutted."Oh, Danny. Every time I remember that Denis Johnson has died, I feel such a sadness - what a loss. I'm so sorry you never got to see him speak. Have you read The Largesse of the Sea Maiden by any chance? The penultimate story, "Triumph Over the Grave" had me in tears. It is well worth reading.
Robin, I'm impressed that you're able to keep up with literary fiction like this, as the rest of us turn to Raven Boys #128 and soft porn. Keep lifting us up with reviews and reads of this caliber and maybe we won't all go to the dogs tonight.
Julie wrote: "I'm impressed that you're able to keep up with literary fiction like this, as the rest of us turn to Raven Boys #128 and soft porn. Keep lifting us up with reviews and reads of this caliber and maybe we won't all go to the dogs tonight."Oh, thank you, Julie. It occurred to me just now that it probably helps me, during these times, to read about people who have it worse than I do. On some level. On a larger level, this is just an amazing collection that I read compulsively, and can see myself re-reading at some point. (No judgment though if you need to read Raven Boys or soft porn to keep your head above water. Whatever it takes.)
Terrific review my dear friend. I am going to add this as I do not believe I have read this author yet and I like how impacted you were by this :)
Robin wrote: "John wrote: "One of my all time favorites. Great review (as always). “I'll never forget you. Your husband will beat you with an extension cord and the bus will pull away leaving you standing there ..."Try Tree of Smoke, his wild mountain of a Vietnam saga. I dunno if it makes any sense, but who goes to Denis Johnson for sense?
Jaidee wrote: "Terrific review my dear friend. I am going to add this as I do not believe I have read this author yet and I like how impacted you were by this :)"Hello Jaidee! Lovely to "see" you here. Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoy Denis Johnson's work as much as I did.
John wrote: "Try Tree of Smoke, his wild mountain of a Vietnam saga. I dunno if it makes any sense, but who goes to Denis Johnson for sense?"Ha! So true. Not me! :)
I just finished reading Robert Stone's Dog Soldiers which is also Vietnam themed and also sometimes doesn't make sense, but I liked it a lot. Have you read it?
Robin wrote: "John wrote: "Try Tree of Smoke, his wild mountain of a Vietnam saga. I dunno if it makes any sense, but who goes to Denis Johnson for sense?"Ha! So true. Not me! :)
I just finished reading Robert..."
I haven't, but I did see the Nick Nolte/Tuesday Weld movie. I get the feeling they took a few liberties!
John wrote: "I haven't, but I did see the Nick Nolte/Tuesday Weld movie. I get the feeling they took a few liberties!"Weirdly, Stone wrote the screenplay for the film... so if it went off the rails (if the film promotional posters are any indication... omg I posted a few images in my review thread... it ain't pretty) he only has himself to blame.
Really enjoyed your review, Robin. This sounds like another fantastic collection by Johnson.
Mike wrote: "Really enjoyed your review, Robin. This sounds like another fantastic collection by Johnson."Thank you Mike, it really is. I take it you've read Johnson before? Was it The Largesse of the Sea Maiden?
Robin wrote: "Mike wrote: "Really enjoyed your review, Robin. This sounds like another fantastic collection by Johnson."Thank you Mike, it really is. I take it you've read Johnson before? Was it The Largesse o..."
Not yet, but I remember your glowing review on that one. Definitely an author that's been on my radar that I just haven't gotten to. One of these days.....
Mike wrote: "Not yet, but I remember your glowing review on that one. Definitely an author that's been on my radar that I just haven't gotten to. One of these days....."Ah, gotcha. I have SO many books on a "one of these days" list. And the list never seems to get any shorter!
Jesus, what a review!!! Love this book, by the way...
Were you sorry for the bunnies, Robin?
Pedro wrote: "Jesus, what a review!!! Love this book, by the way...
Were you sorry for the bunnies, Robin?"
Oh, Pedro, you had to remind me about the bunnies? Ahhhh! Now that I think about it, bunnies seem to suffer terrible fates in books I've read recently. Piercing features bunny death as well. La-la-la-la-la.....
Great review. You have a habit of turning up authors I have never heard of and making them sound like essential reads. I am not sure whether to thank you or curse you for this - my TBR pile can be seen from space.
Ray wrote: "Great review.You have a habit of turning up authors I have never heard of and making them sound like essential reads. I am not sure whether to thank you or curse you for this - my TBR pile can be seen from space."
Aw, thank you, Ray. ŷ is like a big game of dominoes - someone else made this essential reading for me with their review, and then I knocked into your TBR with mine! :D Sorry to add something to the teetering stack, but I do hope you get yourself acquainted with Denis Johnson's work one day. He's pretty amazing....
Actually, I have not read the book. My best guess is that I butt rated it. I'm pretty good at butt texting so maybe it's getting nimbler and diversifying.I just read your review. If Mr. Johnson writes like Raymond Carver and his stories are as intriguing as Lou Reed's, "Heroin", I'm sure I'll love the book. I'm a huge fan of both!
Javier wrote: "Actually, I have not read the book. My best guess is that I butt rated it. I'm pretty good at butt texting so maybe it's getting nimbler and diversifying.I just read your review. If Mr. Johnson writes like Raymond Carver and his stories are as intriguing as Lou Reed's, "Heroin", I'm sure I'll love the book. I'm a huge fan of both!"
Ha, butt rating, that's a first! Well, I'm hoping you read it one day and like it better than the 2-star butt rating. :D
You sold me on the book! I ordered it! I'm also curious to see if my butt and my brain are of one mind.
Javier wrote: "You sold me on the book! I ordered it! I'm also curious to see if my butt and my brain are of one mind."Oh, fantastic. Hope the book lives up to expectations. And I hope the ratings are opposing ones. :D
Wow, Robin, gotta detox and get clean after this walk on the wild side! The first thing to pop in my head once I finished the book were these lines from Lou Reed's great song "Coney Island Baby":Ah, but remember that the city is a funny place
Something like a circus or a sewer
And just remember, different people have peculiar tastes
I especially loved the story "Beverly Home". "Coney Island Baby" ends optimistically with a blooming faith that "The glory of love, might see you through". Similarly, "Beverly Home" (after taking us through a myriad of deformities that make "God look like a senseless maniac"), ends with our Devine and troubled protagonist sensing that hope is becoming palpable and nearing his grasp.
Thanks for the recommendation, Robin. I really enjoyed the book. There might be reciprocal feelings, but my mind thinks that as far as rating books is concerned, my butt is full of...
Javier, I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it! (2 stars higher than the butt rating!) You make me want to dust off my copy and re-visit those stories (alas, almost ALL my books are still in boxes... life is upside down for me right now).It's the juxtaposition of the divine with the depravity that I found truly fascinating. Denis Johnson is quite a wonderful writer. If you ever want to read him again, I recommend his last collection (published after his death), The Largesse of the Sea Maiden. The style is decidedly different - not nearly as compact as in Jesus' Son, but just as powerful.
I would appreciate any recommendations you have for me (I have The Sportswriter on my list already). I might be slow to get to them, but once they're on my TBR....
Robin, if my assumption is correct that your books are in boxes and that your life is upside down because of your recent relocation to Vancouver, my envy won't allow for any sympathy, sorry.Thanks for the recommendation of The Largesse and the Sea Maiden though! I'll add it to my mental TBR list because I don't have a physical one. My reading selections are mostly guided by the whims of the winds.
As to my book suggestions, The Third Policeman is the godfather of Infinite Jest (which is my desert island book only because it's much longer and I have a lot of time to kill when I get deserted on an island). The footnotes in both books are hilarious. Some of my other favorites are:
-The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
-Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov
-The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann
- The Good Soldier Svejk by Jaroslav Hasek
- The Family of Pascual Duarte by Camilo Jose Cela
-One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
-The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
-Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
P.S. I'm listening to the Presidential debates while writing this. Pierre Trudeau has my vote!
Excellent review of a masterful work. Denis Johnson was a magician. All his books are fantastic. Fiskadoro, Tree of Smoke, The Laughing Monsters, Train Dreams. All great. His death at only 67 was a major tragedy for American literature.
Javier wrote: "Robin, if my assumption is correct that your books are in boxes and that your life is upside down because of your recent relocation to Vancouver, my envy won't allow for any sympathy, sorry.Thanks for the recommendation of The Largesse and the Sea Maiden though! I'll add it to my mental TBR list because I don't have a physical one. My reading selections are mostly guided by the whims of the winds."
No sympathy, not even when all my beloved books are completely out of reach? Darn. Oh well, I'll just look out my window here, and gaze at the ocean. Then turn my head, and feast my eyes at the mountains. Now I feel a little better. Actually, I'll just go online and order a bunch of new books. THAT makes me feel better! :D
"Whims of the winds" - great description and that is how I make my reading selections also.
Thanks so much for your recommendations - I haven't read any of them although I have the Junot Diaz book, have had it for ages and should pick it up soon! I have only read one Murakami, and have been meaning to give him a second try.
PS - careful, those debates could send one into a major clinical depression!
Mike wrote: "Excellent review of a masterful work. Denis Johnson was a magician. All his books are fantastic. Fiskadoro, Tree of Smoke, The Laughing Monsters, Train Dreams. All great. His death at only 67 was a major tragedy for American literature."Thank you, Mike. I agree, Denis Johnson worked literary magic. I was truly saddened at his death - I only read him for the first time just after he died (I know, I live under a big, big rock). But I plan to read more of him and it makes me happy when I see other ŷ friends appreciating his work.
Robin, now that your shoe has slapped me in the face, attached itself to my foot, and I'm walking with your shoe on, I'd like to apologize for my utter lack of sympathy for the horror that is now present on both our feet. Just the other day, the unit with the best view in my building (a view Vancouverites would sneer at, but pretty magnificent for us Florida swamp dwellers) became available and I'm now too in the process of moving. Like a deluxe model Hoover vacuum cleaner, moving has major suction! To hell with the views! Give me a settled place where I can read! BTW I was able to get a copy of The Largesse of the Sea Maiden. Hopefully I can settle down to read it soon. Thanks again for the recommendation.
Javier, I have all the understanding in the world for the horrors you're dealing with. Everything in boxes. Or everything not in boxes. Looking at all the ridiculous "stuff" we accumulate. Books out of reach.Bah... but, you've got a good view to look forward to, so that's fantastic. I wish you luck with everything. Denis Johnson will be there on the other side!
When you've drifted deep into the heart of darkness, it's hard to believe there is another side. Your words to me glimmer like a distant beacon. They offer a shimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, there might be a way out of this. Robin, you've given me the courage to stay adrift. I thank you.
If this helps: I just finished unpacking another important box - my son's books. They are now on his shelf. Duplicate books or ones that are too young for him are in the "donation" pile. One more thing off the list. See? There IS another side... even if it feels like there's miles to go before you sleep.
Robin wrote: "If this helps: I just finished unpacking another important box - my son's books. They are now on his shelf. Duplicate books or ones that are too young for him are in the "donation" pile. One more t..."Are you going to run that pile of "to be donated" books by your son first?!? I always get a little panicky whenever my Mom starts going through the piles and starts marking the ones to go.....especially when they're mine or I haven't read then yet!!
How do you determine when a book is too young for you?!?
I found the fountain of youth in Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham. It's still one of my all-time favorite books and it's kept me forever young!
