Customer Reviews

Slackjaw

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm one of those people who love "true medical/Emergency Room/crime/forensic pathology" kinds of stories and am especially fond of sick humor. I read this book during downtime at work and had to stop reading because I kept laughing so hard I was almost crying. When co-workers asked what was so funny, they looked at me strangely when I tried to explain that it was the memoirs of an alcoholic, sometimes-employed man who was facing impending blindness. Go figure!! I recommended it to my equally twisted brother who liked it, as well.

Although I rarely read Knipfel's columns in the New York Press, I read this book in one sitting. As an oft-suicidal drunk I certainly related to much of what Knipfel wrote in this blackly comic memoir. He certainly does seem to be a bad-luck magnet. And I personally don't care if his stories are embellished--what writer doesn't, after all? (To Knipfel's neighbor: he makes it quite clear that he is not entirely blind and often does not use the cane. And he is extremely detailed, both about the retinitis pigmentosa and the brain lesions...WHY would he make that stuff up??) The writing is that of a smart, under-employed dude who prefers living on the dark side. We all know lots of folks like that. My only cavil is that Knipfel would probably feel a lot less depressed if he addressed his alcoholism frontally, but at this point it seems too interwoven into his world view and self-characterization for him to attempt that. (Believe me, I've been there.) Perhaps when he's older and the body stops being able to tolerate it. In any event, I recommend this book highly.

Slackjaw By Jim Knipfel

This well-written memoir of career setbacks, divorce, brain tumors, encroaching blindness, and miscellaneous failure is -- well, believe it or not -- it's funny and even warm-hearted. Knipfel has a gift for appreciating the quirky, the smart, and the loveable, whenever they appear in his world of both metaphorical and literal darkness.

This is a tale of psychologicial survival told by a Bogart-like tough guy. Try walking into a lamp post if you want a deeper understanding of this book. Nice work brother Jim.

Knipfel is a legally blind, suicidal, alcoholic, philosophy major who knows how to look at the brighter (or at least the more humorous) side of life. Without taking the typical "Why me?" or "Poor me" route as many people would, he incorporates the "just deal with it" attitude. I wouldn't consider this a happy or feel-good about yourself book by any means. It's just the memoirs of a man who has been through a lot and can weave a good story out of the experiences. Some of the events have probably been exaggerated a bit to make them more compelling, but even so the underlying feeling is there.

A quick and easy read told by a good storyteller. I'm starting his next book "Quitting the Nairobi Tribe" now, and can't wait to see what happens next.

I like this book. I like Jim Knipfel's writing in general. He's quite good, and seems to be a naturally gifted author who's learned the ropes from his years as a columnist. In a strange sort of way, I consider him to be yet another link in the line of writers first described in the 1950s as the Beats. He measures up to many of those great truthsayers, and I always look forward to more work from Mr. Knipfel.

Long may he linger.

A very well written book of a man who stugglesthrough life with an eye disease(RP), but at thesame time does not have a limited view of theworld. His misanthropic and cynical viewpointsare offset by his sardonic wit as well as hisknack for crisp narrative detail. Slackjaw neverlooses the reader and takes them on an emotionalrollercoaster of sorrow and laughter. After all,it's Jim's World, we're just visiting!

I had read a lot of this book already when its pieces were originally published in the NY Press, but Knipfel ties it all together nicely with some new notes that really illuminate his truly interesting life experiences. I often wonder how much of his storytelling is true and how much is embellishment, but in the end I don't really care because his stories are intriguing and his sense of humor is a strong and important respite from the struggles with his various ailments (retinitis pigmentosa, a brain lesion that induces "rage seizures" if he misses his meds, etc.). I highly recommend this book, not as a story of "one man's struggle with blindness," I think that would insult the author. Look at it more as a compelling series of anecdotes from a man who's been through more than anyone really deserves.

Slackjaw is an entertaining memoir about the author's past. Jim writes with raw honesty and the book has a contagious personal quality that makes it hard to stop reading. Even though people may go through different hardships than the author, he writes in a way in which all people can relate. Through all the hard times, Jim takes the time to look at the ironic, hilarious details that make life, life.
This book is highly recommended...

This book was almost mind blowing. A very accurate and effective portrayal of depression and madness. I read it all in one night because I couldn't put it down, but it did drag through the last few chapters. Definately worth reading, however.