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Liked It “Knockemstiff is a knock out! It's a collection of short stories about how painful and depressing life can be. But it's not because these people are financially destitute and sometimes sleep in abandoned cars, it's the longing for connection with other people these character's lack and search for...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I absolutely hated it. It has been a very long time since I did not finish a book when I was past the half way mark. Deep, dark and pointless.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“I absolutely hated it. It has been a very long time since I did not finish a book when I was past the half way mark. Deep, dark and pointless.”
Lori D wrote this review Saturday, July 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Knockemstiff is a knock out! It's a collection of short stories about how painful and depressing life can be. But it's not because these people are financially destitute and sometimes sleep in abandoned cars, it's the longing for connection with other people these character's lack and search for desperately that saddens. An aunt coaxes her niece to go out driving so she pick up a brain fried man with yellowed teeth just to have someone to spend the night with. Another character muses how forgetting their lives will be the best any of them will be able to do. The book will haunt and stay with you for a long time. ”
Gourbs wrote this review Wednesday, July 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A raw look at the folks of Knockemstiff. Donald Ray Pollock is an exceptional writer.”
Nancy K wrote this review Thursday, April 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Well written stories about horrible disgusting ignorant hillbillies growing up in the town Knockemstiff. Very creepy but interesting. After reading this you will never smoke, drink beer, take speed or have sex. These people are disgusting.
Dana Ross wrote this review Friday, January 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The books is written in a style that inspires me - short vignettes from different points of view all centered around the same community of people. It's sort of a "Prairie Home Companion" for inbred hillbilly speedfreaks. It makes me want to write. ”
“An amazing and disturbing read. Pollock's style is spare and driven. Truly a fabulous book to read if you are a writer yourself. However, if you're looking for a heartwarming story with redeeming characters... walk away now! Be prepared to feel the need to bathe far too often while reading this one.”
eda wrote this review Monday, September 1 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is just the coolest book of stories about some reprehensible human beings. Which we totally care about.
jzine wrote this review Sunday, July 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I couldn't write this book. Neither could you. Fortunately for us, Mr. Pollock could and did.
This is a keeper.
J.”
“Bright writing about dark topics with not a word to spare.”
Nita wrote this review Monday, June 9 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I thought it was a very good book. I liked how some of the stories intertwined with each other. Its basically a book about different peoples everyday lives almost.. and if not every day the days portrayed were sad i thought. Everyone in this book seemed to have a very screwed up life. Even tho that was the big picture in the stories there were still jokes here and there and it was an entertaining read as far as I'm concerned.”
StealthNice wrote this review Tuesday, May 20 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“donald ray pollock is a total sweetheart in person, but you wouldn't know it by reading this!! gritty and darkly humorous this book will make you stop and think. i also love the way it is written. it is a series of interlocking vignettes that follows a town and it's families through several generations.”
Kate wrote this review Thursday, May 15 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An important new voice in American fiction. Pollock has a rich vein of inspiration in the desperation of poor, marginalized and clueless have-nots of southern Ohio. A powerful and sad collection.”
Chuck C wrote this review Saturday, April 12 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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