Bookshots: 'The Sarah Book' by Scott McClanahan
Bookshots: Pumping new life into the corpse of the book review
Title:
The Sarah Book
Who wrote it?
Scott McClanahan is the author of Stories, Stories II (Six Gallery Press), Stories V! (Holler Presents), The Complete Stories of Scott McLanahan Vol. 1 (Lazy Fascist Press) and Crapalachia: A Biography of a Place (Two Dollar Radio). He lives in West Virginia, where he is co-founder of Holler Presents, and he would love to eat chicken wings with you.
Plot in a box:
A fictional memoir in which Scott falls in love with Sarah, marries Sarah, and then gets divorced by Sarah.
Invent a new title for this book:
Cold November Rain in West Virgina
Read this if you like(d):
Norman Mailer, Mary Karr, Sam Pink, and meta-Bret Easton Ellis
Meet the lead(s):
Sarah
Scott McClanahan
Said lead(s) would be portrayed in a movie by:
Sarah: Parker Posey
Scott McClanahan: Seth MacFarlane (this could work with a great director)
Setting: Would you want to live there?
Beckley, Virginia. It sounds like the Claremont, NH of the South. Sure, it probably has better weather than Claremont.
Favorite line:
I thought about the million dicks in my mind.
The Verdict:
Wow. It’s a rare thing to get to use the world "excellent" in a review, but this novel was excellent. McClanahan has already established himself as an exciting new writer, but with this book he takes a step towards being one of the great writers of this decade. It’s not a plot-driven book in the traditional sense, but it’s a page-turner because I need to know what "the character" will say next. I need to know more about him and Sarah. McClanahan breaks down expectations of what a novel should be, in creating a work that will be as memorable as the love and heartbreak he felt for Sarah.
Review by Christoph Paul
Christoph Paul is the Managing Editor and owner of CLASH Books, who have published over 60 books and have been covered by NPR, Poets & Writers, Rolling Stone, Believer Magazine, Oprah Magazine, The Observer, Fangoria, and Publisher's Weekly. The press has had books translated into Spanish, French, and Italian. He has been editing books in almost every genre for over a decade. As an author, he won a humor award and had viral cult success under a pen name. He is the lead singer and bass player of the rock band The Dionysus Effect, who have received positive reviews in Loudwire, EARMILK, and Red Rock Magazine. He sometimes writes songs about the books he publishes because even artists are inspired by their day jobs. Follow him on Twitter @christophpaul_ @clashbooks @dionysuseffect.
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"The Sarah Book" by Scott McClanahan is a raw and emotionally charged bookshot, encapsulating the complex dynamics of love, loss, and the chaos of everyday life. This short yet powerful novel takes readers on a journey through the tumultuous relationship between the author and his ex-wife, Sarah. Much like download Spotify songs on cellular data offers instant access to a world of music, "The Sarah Book" provides readers with a concise, intense narrative that leaves a lasting impact, delving deep into the human experience and the haunting memories that shape our lives. McClanahan's candid and unfiltered storytelling is a literary equivalent of a musical playlist, invoking a range of emotions and leaving a profound impression on its audience.
In "The Sarah Book" by Scott McClanahan, the spacebarcounter reaches new heights of literary engagement as readers are drawn into a raw and emotionally charged narrative. McClanahan's distinctive storytelling style, punctuated by moments of intense introspection, takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the tumultuous life of the book's protagonist, Sarah. As you delve into this powerful narrative, you'll find yourself hitting the spacebarcounter at a frenetic pace, devouring each sentence as you become immersed in Sarah's world of heartbreak, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of self-discovery. McClanahan's ability to craft a compelling story in such a way that the spacebarcounter 15 seconds barely registers the passing of time is a testament to his storytelling prowess, making "The Sarah Book" a must-read for those seeking a deeply affecting literary experience.