The Largesse of the Sea Maiden: Stories
Product ID: 98982802
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Twenty-five years after Jesus’ Son, a haunting new collection of short stories on mortality and transcendence, from National Book Award winner and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Denis Johnson NATIONAL BESTSELLER • ONE OF BARACK OBAMA’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR • ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Dwight Garner, The New York Times ; Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air ; Chicago Tribune ; Newsday ; New York ; AV Club ; Publishers Weekly “Ranks with the best fiction published by any American writer during this short century.”— New York “A posthumous masterpiece.”— Entertainment Weekly ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, NPR, The Boston Globe, New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, Bloomberg The Largesse of the Sea Maiden is the long-awaited new story collection from Denis Johnson. Written in the luminous prose that made him one of the most beloved and important writers of his generation, this collection finds Johnson in new territory, contemplating the ghosts of the past and the elusive and unexpected ways the mysteries of the universe assert themselves. Finished shortly before Johnson’s death, this collection is the last word from a writer whose work will live on for many years to come. Praise for The Largesse of the Sea Maiden “An instant classic.” — Newsday “Exceptional luminosity . . . hits a powerful vein.” — The New York Times Book Review “Grace and oblivion are inextricably yoked in these transcendent stories. . . . [Johnson’s] gift is to extract the beauty in all that brokenness.” — The Wall Street Journal “Nobody ever wrote like Denis Johnson. Nobody ever came close. . . . We’re just left with this miraculous book, these perfect stories, the last words from one of the world’s greatest writers.” —NPR Review: Horrors in the drawing room - Denis Johnson sets his stories in the most mundane and familiar settings. You're at a gathering of old friends in the living room and suddenly there is a guy telling you matter-of-factly how he lost his leg and challenging a woman to kiss the mangled stump. The rest of the stories are a similar mix of the mundane and the horrifying or embarrassingly painful. Each story crashes on to its inevitable smashup. In particular, I think men will find Johnson's writing appealing; it's brutal, shocking and yet absolutely clean and simple. No ornamentation. Just words and blood on each page. Review: Haunting final collection - Denis Johnson is one of my favorite short story writers of all time. Largesse of the Sea Maiden is the final book he worked on in his lifetime, and we are treated to five stories that are quite a bit longer than much of the prose we are used to. Each one explores existence and transcendence, moving from prison or the body to whatever comes next... which is likely nothing. Or finally, peace. Each piece is a self-aware capsule unlike much of his work that came before it. The pieces feel heavily grounded in fiction this time, even fantasy at times, and explore what freedom and relationships mean in their most elemental forms. With Johnson, there was a certain level of realism to his work. As he famously said when asked what the knife represented in ‘Emergency’ at a college book lecture, he replied, “when I was younger, I worked in an emergency room. One night, a man came in with a knife in his eye.” This collection is much different, however, and feels heavily grounded in a more metaphysical and reflective fiction rather than interpreted reality. Of course, the death of a narrator is directly self-referenced, providing a haunting final few paragraphs to one of the pieces. This collection felt like it shed the overarching drug-addled masculinity found in his other works to present a cohesive, reflective humanist reflection on the end of life and what comes next. I truly enjoyed these, and I was lucky enough to hear a preview of the works several months earlier at my MFA program as his editor read from the unreleased manuscript beside the campfire the weekend we learned of his death. It was a gorgeous night beneath the stars, something Johnson would have truly appreciated.
| Best Sellers Rank | #102,713 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #144 in Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction (Books) #799 in Short Stories (Books) #3,362 in Literary Fiction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 992 Reviews |
J**.
Horrors in the drawing room
Denis Johnson sets his stories in the most mundane and familiar settings. You're at a gathering of old friends in the living room and suddenly there is a guy telling you matter-of-factly how he lost his leg and challenging a woman to kiss the mangled stump. The rest of the stories are a similar mix of the mundane and the horrifying or embarrassingly painful. Each story crashes on to its inevitable smashup. In particular, I think men will find Johnson's writing appealing; it's brutal, shocking and yet absolutely clean and simple. No ornamentation. Just words and blood on each page.
G**R
Haunting final collection
Denis Johnson is one of my favorite short story writers of all time. Largesse of the Sea Maiden is the final book he worked on in his lifetime, and we are treated to five stories that are quite a bit longer than much of the prose we are used to. Each one explores existence and transcendence, moving from prison or the body to whatever comes next... which is likely nothing. Or finally, peace. Each piece is a self-aware capsule unlike much of his work that came before it. The pieces feel heavily grounded in fiction this time, even fantasy at times, and explore what freedom and relationships mean in their most elemental forms. With Johnson, there was a certain level of realism to his work. As he famously said when asked what the knife represented in ‘Emergency’ at a college book lecture, he replied, “when I was younger, I worked in an emergency room. One night, a man came in with a knife in his eye.” This collection is much different, however, and feels heavily grounded in a more metaphysical and reflective fiction rather than interpreted reality. Of course, the death of a narrator is directly self-referenced, providing a haunting final few paragraphs to one of the pieces. This collection felt like it shed the overarching drug-addled masculinity found in his other works to present a cohesive, reflective humanist reflection on the end of life and what comes next. I truly enjoyed these, and I was lucky enough to hear a preview of the works several months earlier at my MFA program as his editor read from the unreleased manuscript beside the campfire the weekend we learned of his death. It was a gorgeous night beneath the stars, something Johnson would have truly appreciated.
T**.
Last words from the Master
After reading Jesus' Son years ago, I'd wondered if Denis Johnson would ever put out another collection of stories. I've read his novels, but nothing has brought me more joy than his work in the short form. Then this book came out. Then Mr. Johnson passed away. These were the last words he left us. A collection of five long stories. The Largesse of the Sea Maiden obliterated all of my doubts as to whether he still had it in him. This collection recalls the best of what made Jesus' Son so unputdownable. I was shocked and thrilled to see Dundun brought back to the page. But I had to put this down, because I realized I was blowing through it, and would never get the pleasure of reading it for the first time again! It's that kind of a book, folks. Amplified by the fact that there will never be another Johnson release. The writing stops the breath in your throat. A stunning accomplishment. Here's a sentence from The Starlight on Idaho written in the vernacular of a recovering drug addict: "My oldest brother is somebody who the state of Texas won't let him possess scissors." I don't know why that sentence blew me away like it did. A master writing like the illiterate you run into at a gas station. That's why he's so great. He's lived both of those lives. He can bring us characters from the potholes and culverts of humanity and makes them dazzle with sordid brilliance. This collection is a revelation. I'm so sad we won't have another.
E**Y
Good, but spotty
The structure throws off the weight of this book - a lot of short stories that feel more like brief anecdotes to start make it seem slight and swift. But the middle section really takes off as the stories are akin to the brilliant Jesus' Son: Moments of beauty within stories of broken people trying to put themselves back together. The end is something of a novella more so than a short story that is off-kilter and enigmatic that leaves the reader wanting a lot more.
J**S
Denis Johnson Always Fascinates
I only discovered Johnson a few years ago. So glad I did because he became one of my favorites. I really can’t put my finger on it - what makes him stand apart for me. I think it’s because even when writing about mundane things, he sometimes really surprises me in ways most authors don’t. He’s good at showing some of the most tragic happenings can sadly be absolutely hilarious. I have not really reviewed this book but mostly written positive things about the author. I will say I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for something unique and fascinating.
B**7
These stories read like autobiography, with the namez and nonessential character particulars ...
One of 20th century American literature's giants among men, Denis Johnson's swan song collection is poignant and truly touching. Though rather slim at 207 pages, this 5 story collection packs a considerable emotional gut punch. Through these "fictional" ruminations, Johnson unveils deeply personal observations, chronicled by narrators who are strikingly similar to the author himself. These stories read like autobiography, with the namez and nonessential character particulars changed. While immersing oneself in these ruminations on writing, teaching, living and gracefully departing this mortal coil, the reader will undoubtedly feel privileged to spend this last twilight hour with this master craftsman. Johnson says his long farewell while enduring his own terminal disease, and I for one have been awed, humbled, and touched by his powers of observation. It is a privilege to hear this poetic voice share his insights into this strange, beautiful life with a wretch like me.
M**L
Great read!
This is the book that made me fall back in love with reading, the short stories pull me in so easily and the “eloquence” of the writing is great. It may be rough—hard to digest topics of self trial and hardship but Denis has a way of putting it so direct but also light-hearted? Absolutely suggest reading!
P**F
Great sentences and scenes
As a writer, Denis is fantastic. His use of language in creating sentences and even scenes is marvelous. As a storyteller, he is good but not great. The stories require a conscious effort to finish the story, instead of being compelled to read the next page and the next.
J**N
Buy 2!
Denis Johnson is magnificent. Buy 2 copies so you can lend one out to friends
N**V
Exquisite
I have been sincerely irritated by life interfering with my reading of this. What a fun, marvellous writer. Except for the second story, which is my least favourite, I am in awe of his mastery of the craft. The stories are engaging all on their own but then you have the presentation, how they are interconnected and the little descriptions and twists that keep you on the page.
M**Y
Couldn’t finish more than two stories. Overhyped.
Disappointed
K**G
Brilliant prose
Terrific opening story, and much of this collection is just as brilliant as Jesus' Son.
R**D
From Jesus’ Son to Elvis’ Brother
If you liked him at all, you’ll like this. There were moments n Tree of Smoke, but nothing like the stories in Jesus. This rights that. Lovely book. RIP
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