Last Exit to Brooklyn, Hubert Selby Jr, Grove Press, 1964, 304 pp
I hardly know what to say about this book. I read the first chapter and it was so raw and brutal. Not being in a state of mind strong enough at that time to deal with it, I set it aside. A few days later I noticed it was Banned Books Week.
An attempt to ban Last Exit to Brooklyn was made in Great Britain in 1966 when a Conservative Member of Parliament brought it to trial under the Obscene Publications Act. Copies were seized, the verdict was guilty. Then an appeal in 1968 reversed the decision. I did not have another banned book handy so I picked it up again.
Hubert Selby Jr lived in Brooklyn, working as a copywriter and general laborer. He wrote these connected stories about the people he lived and worked among in a straight forward style paying little attention to the rules of grammar. He highlighted the dope addicts, small time hoodlums, prostitutes and factory workers. There is a moving chapter about a labor strike. The New York Times Book Review called it "a vision of hell."
It is! Here's the thing though. These hellish aspects of life in American cities still exist. Selby's characters want the same things any of us want but the way the world is set up, only some of us have a path to getting them.
Selby does create a bit of relief or balance to all this gritty reality by drawing characters so sensitively that you see their innate humanity and childhood innocence turned to rage and desperate actions by the hopelessness of their environment and the powerlessness of their position. Most of these people started out looking for love, purpose and respect.
I can't recommend the book to just anyone. The stuff that happens to children and women, the prevalence of extreme violence is offensive. It beats the reader up emotionally. The failures of civilization are on intimate and visceral display. Still it is probably important to be reminded from time to time about the way things really are.
There was a movie in 1990. I have not seen that but I bet it put Rebel Without a Cause to shame.
I saw the movie around the time when it came out. I remember it being violent and over the top but in some ways brilliant. I think that I would have liked the book more when I was younger and more receptive to these things. Still, it seems like it is worth the read.
ReplyDeleteYour description of the movie fits the book.
DeleteWow, thanks for the heads up. I'm not gonna touch this book. Sometimes I'm already shocked by things that Karin Slaughter writes so I'll draw the line there :)
ReplyDeleteReader's Rights!!
DeleteI hate the very idea of books being banned. Let the people themselves choose if they want to read something or not. Like for me, this book isn't a good match. I couldn't handle it. But my grandfather loved it. He's the one who tried to get me to read it. But that doesn't mean it should be taken away so no one can read.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story in itself about your grandfather and you. Banning books is almost more disturbing than that book itself!
DeleteNope. Not for me, I think. I do seem to remember that movie back in the day, although I don't recall that I actually saw it.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you. Though I kind of feel like I get bragging rights for facing down the horrid nature of its contents.
DeleteProbably too much gritty violent reality for me. Not sure I'd appreciate or handle it .... but I like the title
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot to handle.
DeleteI am glad you read it for me, so I do not have to. I know just from your short review that it would not be something I could handle at this point in my life.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! It did not leave any lasting harm but I understand.
DeleteThe cover really spoke to me but, gritty isn't what I need right now - sometimes it's okay though so I need to keep it on my list.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, we went to see The Joker, gritty and violent - Gotham setting. We both loved the movie, but wow -- just wow.
Oh yes, I have lists like that...for someday. Thanks for your comment on The Joker. I need to check that out.
DeleteYikes! I would have sworn that title suggested sometime more palatable. Kudos to you for reading it and reporting back so we avoid it. :-)
ReplyDeleteHa! Palatable would not describe this book. You are welcome.
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