In the event the author's Oprah fiasco is still disturbing to you, please do get over it and read this fantastic book. The first time 'round, I put it down after a few pages and proceeded to consume several other titles, before picking it up again. Second time 'round, I was hooked. You see, it's his extraordinarily unique style that takes a little getting used to. It's analogous to putting the unpunctuated thoughts of one's mind to paper, for all to read. I often write in fragments, but then chicken out and properly edit. Not so, James Frey. He is a confident man, in his assumption that his audience will read, comprehend and linger. "Linger?" you ask. Yes. While the City of Angels is the main character, those in his four underlying narratives come alive... in my case, to the point of wanting to keep them around. More, please?!
The human and historical epic is comprised of both fact and fiction. But hey, isn't all fiction based on fact? Characters intertwine under the spell of a personified Los Angeles. Funny, but during frequent pauses to consider what I'd read, my brain would kick into an old Elvis tune, "Follow That Dream"... this by no means suggesting frivolity to the story. The American Dream. Human Nature. Here's an excerpt, as written and somewhat punctuated by Mr. Frey:
"And so they come. To live with Angels and chase their dreams. It ain't all bright lights and billboards. Some dream of a roof, some dream of a bed, some dream of a job, some dream of enough money to eat, some dream the dream of forgetting, leaving, hiding, transforming, becoming, some dream the simple dream of getting through a day without worrying about dying, some dream of families here or there or wherever they left them dream of bring them and starting over and actually having a f'ing chance, some dream of being allowed to live, speak, believe and dress as they please. Some dream of bright lights and billboards but they are few too many who dream of a place that will accept them, nourish them, allow them to grow into whatever flower or whatever poison they want to become, allow them to scream yell decry pray beg discuss deal buy sell steal give take become or not whatever the f' they want because it's possible, it's possible here."
"And so they come. To live with Angels and chase their dreams. It ain't all bright lights and billboards. Some dream of a roof, some dream of a bed, some dream of a job, some dream of enough money to eat, some dream the dream of forgetting, leaving, hiding, transforming, becoming, some dream the simple dream of getting through a day without worrying about dying, some dream of families here or there or wherever they left them dream of bring them and starting over and actually having a f'ing chance, some dream of being allowed to live, speak, believe and dress as they please. Some dream of bright lights and billboards but they are few too many who dream of a place that will accept them, nourish them, allow them to grow into whatever flower or whatever poison they want to become, allow them to scream yell decry pray beg discuss deal buy sell steal give take become or not whatever the f' they want because it's possible, it's possible here."
Thanks to Karin for such an excellent recommendation. Now, I pass it along, twofold.
