1992
Jesus' Son
Denis Johnson · 1949–2017 · United States
Why it matters
A nameless addict drifts through overdoses, crime, and small unearned miracles in linked, hallucinatory stories. Ruin narrated with a clarity and grace that shouldn't belong together, and somehow do.
At a glance
short story collection
Difficulty 6/10fast pace160 pagesHallucinatory, non-linear vignettes narrated by an unreliable addict.
Where to go next
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Varlam Shalamov · 1966Kolyma TalesLvl 5Medium pace