Customer Reviews

JOINER (University of Arkansas Press Reprint Series)

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The narrator in "Joiner" is a former professional football player with a photographic memory and an obsession with history. Writing after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Joiner has already survived childhood tragedy, violence (others' and his own) betrayal, divorce and self-destructiveness, not to mention a decade or more "under the helmet." Joiner is also chaotically and unapologetically erudite, as likely to analogize a violent confrontation to lager forts as he is to a perfect block.

The book divides itself between moments in his childhood and adolescence, and telling (without explaining) how a self-confessed "neck" grew up and came out as a man who loved, and finally would fight, for his black neighbors. Much of this is free association as events in Joiner's history and the world's pass through his thoughts. Ultimately the book is about decency, often unsuspected, and ends with more acceptance and peace than you ever would! have hoped Joiner would know.

Highly recommended.