Really incredible post, Bucky. So much of this is relatable. I was also in my late teens / early 20s when I ingested the entire Bukowski novel catalog, River’s Edge and of course Naked Lunch, having grown up in the town of Burroughs’ residence. Blood Meridian is in my “read next” stack. I’m not a good enough writer to share my own experiences, and so I eagerly anticipate reading about yours.
Blood Meridian…give it a chance when you don’t have a lot of distractions, when you can really savor the density of the prose. It’s not an easy book. But there’s nothing else like it. As a writer, I don’t think I’ll ever get where he got with that, and I’m okay with that.
I agree, I just finished Blood Meridian. I had to go a few pages at a time in some spots it was so rough, both the content and stylistically. You could just feel the evil seep off the page every time Judge Holden entered the scene. And not one single bit of gratuitous violence at all (which can seep into lesser works like this from time to time). All was coherent in the final analysis (to me anyways).
I went into it a bit skeptical, like, what's the big deal? I've read other McCarthy stuff, some of which is much different. Now I understand though.
This is a heavy and cool post. Would you put Alexander Trocchi’s Cain’s Book on a list like this? Maybe an honorable mention? Maybe Brian Evenson’s mutilation tale Last Days too.
Feast of Snakes absolutely blew my mind when I read it. There’s a book of articles he wrote called Blood and Grits that is very underrated. Things he wrote for esquire I think mostly
Great essay! I grew up about an hour from Knockemstiff and discovered the book a few years ago. Undoubtedly tough, but very glad I read it. Also ran through The Devil All The TIme this year. If you haven't read Denis Johnson, pick up Jesus' Son. It's like a Knockemstiff companion piece.
As soon as you started in on transgressive fiction I immediately thought of Feast of Snakes, one of the most shocking books I’ve come across (and still managed to enjoy thoroughly). Crash by JG Ballard also belongs on this list — forget the weak-ass movie; the novel is warped and fantastic.
Hi! I made a short list of the rural setting ones. I love Ballard! Concrete Island was my favorite--a tribe of people form on a highway median. the plot doesn't work in a cell phone era, but of course, that wasn't a problem when he wrote it
Sorry about the slip — just came in from taking out the trash and as a bonus — slip and falling. I did not read up on transgressive because your explanation is quite clear — but I would like to ask you a question. I write as well, and often hope that my stories will inform someone about pain. I’ve had my experiences as well, although not as harrowing as you describe. Now — here is my question: you are closer to this form than I am. Do you have any sense that your stories at as “cautionary tales”? Is there any possibility that they might encourage similar behavior in other youth? I am not implying that you have any responsibility.
Implying that you should take responsibility for other people’s use of your material, I’m just curious about what you think about this question. Thank you.
it's a big question. I hope in writing that I excise the demons, so to speak. That's the main thing. It's also easy to write emotional quicksand, in which you get deeper in and feel worse.
As far as the reader goes, if I don't write this with the right temperance and ability, it can come off the opposite way as intended. Am I glamorizing or fetishizing the treatment I'm writing about? there's a way that I can write about my youth minister "dating" one of the teenagers that enlightens the reader as to what happened, and another way where it's criminal erotica.
Does this make it more clear or less? Did I answer your question?
I write my truth.
I'm also respectful of others because the work is displayed.
I need to do both, or it's not art to me. Not all writers feel this way. I do.
Thank you for a studied and thoughtful answer. It always makes me happy to know that there are creators out there who see the potential power of their words and use them carefully.
Wise words! My previous novel Black Hole was an excision of many bad things I lived through in my heavy drug addiction years. I basically set free every horrible memory I had. Definitely better for that. Attempting to do the same with my teen years now. Your point is 100% dead on. I know many writers who rather than freeing themselves from a cage , dug a deeper hole for themselves. I knew a true crime writer who I feel died from writing her book.
Really incredible post, Bucky. So much of this is relatable. I was also in my late teens / early 20s when I ingested the entire Bukowski novel catalog, River’s Edge and of course Naked Lunch, having grown up in the town of Burroughs’ residence. Blood Meridian is in my “read next” stack. I’m not a good enough writer to share my own experiences, and so I eagerly anticipate reading about yours.
Blood Meridian…give it a chance when you don’t have a lot of distractions, when you can really savor the density of the prose. It’s not an easy book. But there’s nothing else like it. As a writer, I don’t think I’ll ever get where he got with that, and I’m okay with that.
I agree, I just finished Blood Meridian. I had to go a few pages at a time in some spots it was so rough, both the content and stylistically. You could just feel the evil seep off the page every time Judge Holden entered the scene. And not one single bit of gratuitous violence at all (which can seep into lesser works like this from time to time). All was coherent in the final analysis (to me anyways).
I went into it a bit skeptical, like, what's the big deal? I've read other McCarthy stuff, some of which is much different. Now I understand though.
Hey there Bucky. Enjoying your Substack epistles. On the subject, did you ever read RIVETHEAD by Ben Hamper?
Great book!
Also glad to see you in this medium!!
This is a heavy and cool post. Would you put Alexander Trocchi’s Cain’s Book on a list like this? Maybe an honorable mention? Maybe Brian Evenson’s mutilation tale Last Days too.
I don't know these! Good to see you here on Substack.
There are a number of great recommendations on these replies
Crews is great!
Feast of Snakes absolutely blew my mind when I read it. There’s a book of articles he wrote called Blood and Grits that is very underrated. Things he wrote for esquire I think mostly
Will have to check Blood & Grits out! Sounds like my childhood hahaha
Great essay! I grew up about an hour from Knockemstiff and discovered the book a few years ago. Undoubtedly tough, but very glad I read it. Also ran through The Devil All The TIme this year. If you haven't read Denis Johnson, pick up Jesus' Son. It's like a Knockemstiff companion piece.
Loved Jesus’ Son
Frank Stanford!
Don't know him! I've gotten a few great recs from this post. Thanks
Beyond his poetry, some of the wildest prose ever.
https://www.npr.org/2012/08/08/158438476/strange-fruit-and-stranger-dreams-in-the-deep-south
No, fuck that, everyone go read Knockemstiff right the goddamn now.
i’m new to this substack, so sorry if i missed anything. but what are your thoughts on barry hannah?
I just looked him up. I’ve completely missed this guy and he sounds right in my wheelhouse—there’s always another writer to find.
What do you recommend as the starter book? (not necessarily the best, but the best one to start with?) Is there a standout collection of stories?
Airships, absolutely. All the trigger warnings, etc., but the writing in Airships is like nothing else
cool, it’s on the TBR list
Thank you for the tips!
Breece D'J Pancake
As soon as you started in on transgressive fiction I immediately thought of Feast of Snakes, one of the most shocking books I’ve come across (and still managed to enjoy thoroughly). Crash by JG Ballard also belongs on this list — forget the weak-ass movie; the novel is warped and fantastic.
Hi! I made a short list of the rural setting ones. I love Ballard! Concrete Island was my favorite--a tribe of people form on a highway median. the plot doesn't work in a cell phone era, but of course, that wasn't a problem when he wrote it
Hi! I just read your column on transgressive literature. I did not look up the definition
Sorry about the slip — just came in from taking out the trash and as a bonus — slip and falling. I did not read up on transgressive because your explanation is quite clear — but I would like to ask you a question. I write as well, and often hope that my stories will inform someone about pain. I’ve had my experiences as well, although not as harrowing as you describe. Now — here is my question: you are closer to this form than I am. Do you have any sense that your stories at as “cautionary tales”? Is there any possibility that they might encourage similar behavior in other youth? I am not implying that you have any responsibility.
Implying that you should take responsibility for other people’s use of your material, I’m just curious about what you think about this question. Thank you.
it's a big question. I hope in writing that I excise the demons, so to speak. That's the main thing. It's also easy to write emotional quicksand, in which you get deeper in and feel worse.
As far as the reader goes, if I don't write this with the right temperance and ability, it can come off the opposite way as intended. Am I glamorizing or fetishizing the treatment I'm writing about? there's a way that I can write about my youth minister "dating" one of the teenagers that enlightens the reader as to what happened, and another way where it's criminal erotica.
Does this make it more clear or less? Did I answer your question?
I write my truth.
I'm also respectful of others because the work is displayed.
I need to do both, or it's not art to me. Not all writers feel this way. I do.
Thank you for a studied and thoughtful answer. It always makes me happy to know that there are creators out there who see the potential power of their words and use them carefully.
Wise words! My previous novel Black Hole was an excision of many bad things I lived through in my heavy drug addiction years. I basically set free every horrible memory I had. Definitely better for that. Attempting to do the same with my teen years now. Your point is 100% dead on. I know many writers who rather than freeing themselves from a cage , dug a deeper hole for themselves. I knew a true crime writer who I feel died from writing her book.