It was mere coincidence that saw me reading Denis Johnson’s short story collection “Jesus’ Son” immediately after Kevin Barry’s “That Old Country Music” – but it was a coincidence which served to throw the two into sharp contrast.
Where Barry’s stories are softer, somewhat gentle, filled with ‘Irishness’, Johnson’s are raw, hard, uncompromising, and paint a picture of American low-life. Which is interesting in that there are some overlapping themes here…
Johnson’s characters are hard to like, primarily outcasts of one sort or another, more often than not on the wrong side of the law, struggling with drink, drug addiction, mental health issues. (I struggled to find the humour supposedly in the book.) In a way, Johnson’s brutal style – and the largely urban settings for the tales – fit their subject really well. As much as Barry’s did.
“Jesus’ Son” is worth a read. But having said that, there’s a fair chance you may not like it; I’m not sure I do. Still, I think it’s worth the effort to hear Johnson’s ‘voice’. I can imagine him – probably wrongly, based on this photograph! – whiskey in one hand, roll-up in the other, mesmerising you as he reads. You dare not get up and walk away…
Ian Gouge - Writer 