Oct. 28th, 2021
Craig Clevenger "The Contortionist’s Handbook" (Harper Pernenial)

The Contortionist's Handbook introduces us to Daniel Fletcher who has just been admitted to the hospital after an overdose. As Daniel begins to tell his story to a hospital psychologist we discover that he is not who he is claiming to be.
This is the dark story of a man committed to a marginalized and isolated life on the edges of American society where illusion and reality mix and unravel with alarming ease. His story of survival is set against the backdrop of 1980s LA and paints a very real and harsh picture of the city's drug culture and life on the borderline of criminal society.
The main character is an escape artist, or as he calls himself a contortionist but not in the regular meaning. Instead, he escapes into other identities, chameleon-like, with unmatched skill. His story unfolds during a psychiatric evaluation following a drug overdose. It reminds me strongly of the movie "The Usual Suspects." If you're familiar with that movie and enjoyed it, I believe you'll enjoy this book.

The Contortionist's Handbook introduces us to Daniel Fletcher who has just been admitted to the hospital after an overdose. As Daniel begins to tell his story to a hospital psychologist we discover that he is not who he is claiming to be.
This is the dark story of a man committed to a marginalized and isolated life on the edges of American society where illusion and reality mix and unravel with alarming ease. His story of survival is set against the backdrop of 1980s LA and paints a very real and harsh picture of the city's drug culture and life on the borderline of criminal society.
The main character is an escape artist, or as he calls himself a contortionist but not in the regular meaning. Instead, he escapes into other identities, chameleon-like, with unmatched skill. His story unfolds during a psychiatric evaluation following a drug overdose. It reminds me strongly of the movie "The Usual Suspects." If you're familiar with that movie and enjoyed it, I believe you'll enjoy this book.
Craig Clevenger "The Contortionist’s Handbook" (Harper Pernenial)

The Contortionist's Handbook introduces us to Daniel Fletcher who has just been admitted to the hospital after an overdose. As Daniel begins to tell his story to a hospital psychologist we discover that he is not who he is claiming to be.
This is the dark story of a man committed to a marginalized and isolated life on the edges of American society where illusion and reality mix and unravel with alarming ease. His story of survival is set against the backdrop of 1980s LA and paints a very real and harsh picture of the city's drug culture and life on the borderline of criminal society.
The main character is an escape artist, or as he calls himself a contortionist but not in the regular meaning. Instead, he escapes into other identities, chameleon-like, with unmatched skill. His story unfolds during a psychiatric evaluation following a drug overdose. It reminds me strongly of the movie "The Usual Suspects." If you're familiar with that movie and enjoyed it, I believe you'll enjoy this book.

The Contortionist's Handbook introduces us to Daniel Fletcher who has just been admitted to the hospital after an overdose. As Daniel begins to tell his story to a hospital psychologist we discover that he is not who he is claiming to be.
This is the dark story of a man committed to a marginalized and isolated life on the edges of American society where illusion and reality mix and unravel with alarming ease. His story of survival is set against the backdrop of 1980s LA and paints a very real and harsh picture of the city's drug culture and life on the borderline of criminal society.
The main character is an escape artist, or as he calls himself a contortionist but not in the regular meaning. Instead, he escapes into other identities, chameleon-like, with unmatched skill. His story unfolds during a psychiatric evaluation following a drug overdose. It reminds me strongly of the movie "The Usual Suspects." If you're familiar with that movie and enjoyed it, I believe you'll enjoy this book.
More Grooves and Curios
Oct. 28th, 2021 08:44 pmAnother selection of grooves and curios -
Clifford Brown and Max Roach - Lands End
A Study in Brown is one of those great bebop jazz albums of the fifties. Dig it, man!
The Craftys - L.O.V.E
he Craftys - L-O-V-E / Heartbreaking World Doing a bit of research (so you don't have to) The Craftys was better known as The Halos and at one time included JR Bailey in their ranks who went on to release some mighty fine Soul 45s and one killer album in the 70s.
Al Bowlly - Close Your Eyes
Charlie Drake - You Never Know
Bizarre 7" by the diminutive comedian which features the talents of Peter Gabriel, Robert Fripp, Phil Collins, and Sandy Denny among others!
The King's Singers - Some Enchanted Wavelengths
This slightly better (upper class) harmony group recorded this tune to advise listeners how to change their BBC radio dials in 1978. It is a fun record that is a bit scratchy, sorry.
ENJOY
Clifford Brown and Max Roach - Lands End
A Study in Brown is one of those great bebop jazz albums of the fifties. Dig it, man!
The Craftys - L.O.V.E
he Craftys - L-O-V-E / Heartbreaking World Doing a bit of research (so you don't have to) The Craftys was better known as The Halos and at one time included JR Bailey in their ranks who went on to release some mighty fine Soul 45s and one killer album in the 70s.
Al Bowlly - Close Your Eyes
Charlie Drake - You Never Know
Bizarre 7" by the diminutive comedian which features the talents of Peter Gabriel, Robert Fripp, Phil Collins, and Sandy Denny among others!
The King's Singers - Some Enchanted Wavelengths
This slightly better (upper class) harmony group recorded this tune to advise listeners how to change their BBC radio dials in 1978. It is a fun record that is a bit scratchy, sorry.
ENJOY