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Title: Last Exit to Brooklyn by Hubert Selby ISBN: 0-8021-3137-9 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: September, 1988 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.17 (42 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A skanky urban nightmare
Comment: Feel the disease, to paraphrase Depeche Mode. This is a compelling read if only for a peek at pre-Stonewall gay life in Brooklyn. I, like one of the other reviewers, felt that the drag queens were a little to "out" for the early 1960's, even if it was Brooklyn. I had trouble identifying with any of the characters, they were all such a mess. I don't know a lot about recreational drug use, but in the story "Queens", the titular queens were popping "bennies" like M&M's...is that possible, or wouldn't you OD on them.
I really wasn't sure what to make of Harry in "Strike", Selby alternated between making you feel sorry for this poor closeted schmo and then made you hate him for various acts of brutality and/or cowardice. The violent ending didn't make sense in the context of Harry's character, it also reflected the homophobic myth that gays are also child molesters. This was probably function of the times in which it was written.
Those who have seen the movie, the book is quite different. Not so much a story as a pastiche of different scenes, none of which are really contected.
The best of the bunch is the last story which follows a slew of housing project denizens through their various dreary lives. Some of the passages are funny, some are heartbreaking, and all are engrossing. I liked the rhythm of the narrative and the way Selby portrayed each character from his or her own point-of-view.
Rating: 4
Summary: Fantastic writing, strange storyline
Comment: I'm a big fan of Darren Aronofsky, which is what turned me on to this book. After seeing Requiem for a Dream, I read that Aronofsky started reading Selby with this book, so I figured I should start reading him with this book as well.
I was surprised to find out what it was about, if that's even possible to determine. It was fantastically written, which is the only thing that kept me turning the pages at first. As for the subject matter, I couldn't really connect with what was being said... for the first 2/3 of the book, it was mostly about drag-queens, homosexuallity, things of that sort. With Requiem, I connected with the characters on a level because of my personal experience with drugs, but with Last Exit, I connected with the characters because of Selby's amazing writing techniques.
I have to admit, though, that as much as I liked this book, I found it hard to follow with his use of the same names in different stories... and the last 1/3 of the book seemed too scatter-brained for my taste, and seemed way off the rocker with the rest of the book... I'm not complaining, just something I wasn't prepared for I guess.
All-in-all, though, this guy is an amazing author.
Rating: 2
Summary: this is not the best thing i/ve ever read i can/t understand
Comment: That was my attempt at writing like Hubert Selby, Jr. I don't understand how anyone can write like that. There are NO periods. There are NO commas. There are NO quotation marks. My English teacher Mr. McKee once told me that the reader has to be given clear, accurate instructions about the plot and whatever. The author has to metaphorically hold the reader's hand throughout the whole story. I feel that Mr. Selby kidnapped me in his car and dropped me off in the middle of a rather large, rather confusing, city. I had to reread the first story thing in order to really grasp what the hell was going on and to understand this absolutely confusing writing style. Maybe every single English teacher should force his or her class to read this book so that kids might start appreciating punctuation. I know I love it. I love punctuation more than I love my (insert important thing here).
And as far as being the most disturbing thing ever: No, it simply wasn't. Homosexuals and transvestites really don't scare the living hell out of me. The whole book is about transvestites! EVERYONE IS A SHEMALE! That's probably the best part about the book. The shemales. But there were FAR TOO MANY of them to make it special. This book simply didn't shock, disturb or frighten me. And personally, I don't care about Harry's job at the factory. Who cares about his stupid strike? I know I don't. If you want to read a disturbing book, read American Psycho. It beats the pants off of this. It's funnier, easier to read, more disturbing, and a HELL of a lot more interesting.
I did like the first story about the sailor and the one about that girl who had so much sex it killed her. I did feel sympathy towards her... just a little, though. And I thought it was funny. That's why it received two stars.
That is all.
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Title: Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr., Hubert, Jr. Selby, Hubert, Jr. Shelby ISBN: 1560252480 Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press Pub. Date: 15 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Demon by Hubert, Jr. Selby ISBN: 0714525995 Publisher: Marion Boyars Publishers, Ltd. Pub. Date: August, 1994 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Room by Hubert Selby ISBN: 0714530387 Publisher: Marion Boyars Publishers, Ltd. Pub. Date: 01 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Song of the Silent Snow by Hubert Selby, Hubert, Jr. Selby ISBN: 0714530506 Publisher: Marion Boyars Publishers, Ltd. Pub. Date: 01 September, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Willow Tree by Hubert Selby ISBN: 1582340285 Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Pub. Date: 19 June, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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