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Jim B edited the books like this book of Ironweed Sunday, April 25, 2010.
- Added Postcards Here is another story of a young man, in this case one whose life has barely begun, who damns himself to a life of wandering and living along society's bottom edges after a tragic accident. As with Proulx's other novels, there is an all-pervading sense of bleak loneliness throughout the book. Sometimes a tough read, but a good one.
- marked the description of Postcards as not a spoiler
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Jim B edited the books like this book of Ironweed Sunday, April 25, 2010.
- Added THE LOST WEEKEND If alcohol plays a central role in Ironweed, it is *the* central factor in The Lost Weekend. The social class of the protagonists are vastly different, but if you want to read a book about one long weekend in the life of an alcoholic on his way to the bottom, then this is it. There is no redemption in this book, and the flaws (selfishness, self-pity, etc.) of the alcoholic are on unflinching display. If you've known an alcoholic, have been an alcoholic, or are an alcoholic, you should read this book.
- marked the description of THE LOST WEEKEND as not a spoiler
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Jim B edited the books like this book of Ironweed Sunday, April 25, 2010.
- Added Suttree As per the ridiculously simplified synopsis, this too is essentially a bum's life. Ironweed was fantastic, but I'd rate Suttree as one of the greatest novels that I've ever read. As is usual with McCarthy, it is a dark book and the theme of redemption that develops in Ironweed is far less clear in Suttree, if it is present at all. McCarthy's language is marvelously lush with some of the truest southern dialogue that you'll ever read -- and in a great number of places you'll find yourself laughing out loud. It's a terribly funny and touching book. In both of these novels, the hard-scrabble and near hopeless difficulty of life at the bottom, as well as the tremendous generosity and compassion that can be found amongst those who reside there are beautifully displayed.
- marked the description of Suttree as not a spoiler
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