The Alphabet Man [Hardcover]

Richard Grossman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1993

A poet/murderer's ruthless search for carnal love and spiritual redepmtion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The lettered narrator of the title is a man fascinated by language and by murder in this amusing, yet ultimately grim, first novel by poet Grossman ( The Animals ). Clyde Wayne Franklin is the country's best-known poet. He is also an ex-convict. A chance encounter with a pastor who is also a former assassin for the U.S. Army makes clear the depths of Franklin's obsession. It turns out that he killed his own father and possibly others along the way. The exploration of this tormented and complex man forms the basis for Grossman's work. From the beginning, there are hints of abuse by Franklin's father. These become clearer as the book progresses, skipping back and forth through time and space. In the present, Franklin searches for his girlfriend, a prostitute in Washington, D.C. In his memory, he relives and attempts to come to grips with his childhood. All of this is not, however, unrelentingly morbid. Dark humor enlivens what is essentially an absurdist, postmodern fairy tale probing the psyche of a serial killer. In Grossman's confident hands, Franklin is like the hero of a Poe story, who talks to prove to the listener that he is sane and only succeeds in proving the reverse.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Meet Clyde Wayne Franklin: world-renowned poet, walking alphabetic tatoo gallery, alcoholic, paranoid schizophrenic, multiple murderer, a real Norman Mailer kind of hero. After being sexually and emotionally abused by his parents, he becomes a self-hating "nazijew" who brutally kills his father and perhaps his mother, too. After his release from prison he is set up as an assassin, but by whom: the mob, rival politicians, the Pentagon? Is his "girlfriend" betraying him or is he being double-crossed? Grossman ( The Animals , Graywolf, 1990) alternates chapters, with numbered ones by Franklin advancing the plot and lettered ones by his grimly clownish alter ego serving up chaos from the past/present of his delusions. This is a very grisly account, but it is far deeper and more literary than a Bret Easton Ellis or Kathy Acker roll in the sleaze, precipitously plunging the reader into utter madness. Strongly recommended, especially if you have a strong stomach.
- Jim Dwyer, California State Univ. at Chico
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 443 pages
• Publisher: Fc2/Black Ice Books; 1st edition (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932511767
• ISBN-13: 978-0932511768
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,441,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant experimental fiction, September 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Alphabet Man (Paperback)

Those who believe Foster Wallace and Vollman are the only authors carrying forward the experimental mantle in American letters are well advised to obtain this novel from Richard Grossman. A manic portrait of psychosis, it is also a fascinating examination of the soul and a tour de force critique of American conciousness. It is complex and intellectual without being ostentatious. It is also so cutting edge that its diction and style precede the sword's razor in the air. Combined, The Alphabet Man is an extremely good read, along the lines of the best Wallace, Vollman, Gass, or Gaddis could offer. And that's just about the highest praise I could possibly offer.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great writer, April 25, 2004

By 

alexander laurence (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alphabet Man (Hardcover)

An ambitious book about a serial killer is as unwelcome as it is target market sensitive. No, it's not another American Psycho, although that is good in its own way. This serial killer happens to be a poet as well, who also channel surfs through the pages of America as a traveling salesmen. The Alphabet Man is first of all an experimental novel which combines concrete poetry, humor, and a convincing main character called Clyde Wayne Franklin. He is convincing as her is despicable. The narrative goes wild as Franklin finally loses his mind entrely and commits suicide in prison. What happens in between is an exciting, offensive verbal journey that goes straight into the darkness of blood and sexuality. 100% evil.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A completely different kind of thriller, June 14, 2001

By 

J. N. Mohlman (Barrington, RI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Alphabet Man (Paperback)

"The Alphabet Man" is an excellent thriller set in the backstreets and political underworld of Washington D.C. Lot's of novels are though; what sets "The Alphabet Man" apart, however, is its unique style, brilliant language and disturbing exploration of the psyche. The novel presents itself as a manuscript written by the delusional protagonist. As he slips deeper and deeper into madness the voice changes to reflect his multiple personalities, and the layout and fonts become more and more bizarre. Thus, Grossman accomplished the feat of telling the story not only with words, but with images as well.

In fact, in many ways this novel looks and reads like a precursor to the incredible "House of Leaves" by Danielewski. Although not as good as that remarkable novel, it certainly belongs on the same shelf.

Ultimately, "The Alphabet Man" is a superb exploration of madness, and of perception versus reality. While some readers may find the unusual format tedious, a careful reading reveals a gripping, thoughtful story.