Song of the Silent Snow [Paperback]

Hubert Selby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1987

Hubert Selby is probably one of the six best novelists writing in the English language.?Financial Times

Author of controversial cult classic, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Hubert Selby began as a writer of short fiction. He excels in this form, plunging the reader head-first into the densely realized worlds of his protagonists, in which the details of daily life rub shoulders with obsession and madness.

Although fundamentally concerned with morality, Selby's own sense of humility prevents him from preaching. He offers instead a passionate empathy with the ordinary dreams and aspirations of his characters, a brilliant ear for the urban vernacular and for the voices of conscience and self-deceit that torment his characters.

"A major American author of a stature with William Burroughs and Joseph Heller."?Los Angeles Times

"Selby's place is in the front rank of American novelists ... to understand his work is to understand the anguish of America."?The New York Times Book Review

Novels by Hubert Selby Jr available from Marion Boyars: Last Exit to Brooklyn, The Room, The Demon, Requiem for a Dream and The Willow Tree..

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These 15 stories from the author of Last Exit to Brooklyn range from clipped street vernacular to poetic description, but common to all the pieces in this slightly uneven collection is a compassionate vision. "The Coat" is essential Selby: an unsparing portrait of a homeless man whose relationship with his coathis lifelineis more humanly meaningful than the violent city around him. A girl on a subway becomes a man's fantasy object, a salesman finds courage and success through fortune cookies, a father smashes a TV to gain his son's attention, and in a twisted way he doesthe son tapes the incident: Selby's work is earthy, thoughtful, funny, and about a recognizably uncaring world. Peter Bricklebank, English Dept., City Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

We believe Selby's characters and will never forget them. Selby has written from the gut with great compassion The Nation Selby's place is in the front rank of American novelists ... to understand his work is to understand the anguish of America New York Times Book Review Selby brings a scorching light to a limited area of human existence, which most people know of but do not know Newsweek --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Grove Pr (October 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802130089
• ISBN-13: 978-0802130082
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,585,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my holy god, what a writer, November 7, 2002

By 

S. Bell (Tallahassee, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Song of the Silent Snow (Paperback)

I've read a couple of Selby's full length novels, and his writing always leaves me heavily affected for days afterward(for better or worse). This book, a collection of short stories, was at times funny and sad, bitter and naive, and essentially is a portrayal of the most mundane and ordinary things imaginable in an extremely beautiful and grandiose way. If I didn't know better(and I guess I don't, I'd swear Selby was a psychic, the way he knows people's minds' inner workings so well). The story 'Of Whales and Dreams' tore my heart out. Amazing. Selby will burn you alive with your own emotions.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It just can't get any better!, November 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Song of the Silent Snow (Paperback)

I feel the need to have this book with me at all times. If you are the kind of person who is up untill 3:00 in the morning thinking about all the people who waste your time [and rob you of your sleep] this is a book for you. Every aspect of humanity can be found in the pages of these short stories. You will be a better person for reading Hubert Selby Jr.'s masterpiece.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Genius!, June 14, 2002

By 

"sp_2900" (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Song of the Silent Snow (Paperback)

This is the first book of Hubert Selby Jr.'s that I have read and I must say, it definately will not be the last. Stories like "Of Whales and Dreams" are beyond captivating--riddled with intricate details and powerful messages. Put quite simply, this book is a must read for anyone who finds value in innovative and experimental forms of writing.