Author Spotlight
Books I was assigned during my MFA that I actually still like: Donald Antrim
At Bennington, one of the many excellent books that Amy Hempel put on my list for which I am now thankful was Donald Antrim’s ‘Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World.’ At the time, I’d already read Antrim’s two other novels, the amazing ‘The Hundred Brothers’ (literally about one hundred brothers at a reunion) and ‘The Verificationist’ (an amazing piece of work, all of which is narrated by a man having an out of body experience at a pancake restaurant), but for some reason I’d skipped the first one. Amy made me go back and read it: it was still her favorite.
Among other things, Antrim’s first novel is a bit more raw around the edges, more wild and fucked and no-world made than the other two (which are both also pretty fucked). For all that there is to admire about the novel, the two things that still stand out most in my mind are among two of the most unusually narratively rendered scenes in contemporary fiction of the past 10 or so years. Antrim has a pretty amazing ability to tell stories that others would write off as ‘bonkers,’ and make them seem not only plausible, but plausible in a way that makes people who hate entirely plausible stories still down and like ‘I’m in.’
More after the jump.
Take this excerpt, from a scene early on in the book where a bunch of men in a neighborhood get together and essentially lynch a neighbor, tying him to their cars to draw and quarter him while the neighborhood looks on. Sounds ridiculous, but the way Antrim handles it, in a vein akin to Saunders, Shepard, or the like, but slightly odder, in an odd way, works so well I can still remember the scene inside a brain that forgets scene almost right after I read them:
But back to the Kunkel business. I can’t get it out of my mind. I keep seeing Jim’s face, lit red by taillights, in the long moments before the lines snapped taut, while Bill Nixon tried and retried to start his fume-spewing, out-of-tune Celica. It was all so profoundly uncomfortable; there was nothing to do but toe the grass and stare up at the stars in the sky, and listen to that revving and choking, and, of course, to Jim Kunkel, trussed, bound, spread out and spread-eagle on his belly, weeping. Heavy nylon test, the kind sport fishermen around here use to haul in tarpon, radiated from Jim’s wrists and ankles, ran across grass and Jim’s beautiful Japanese rock garden to the back bumpers of cars poised to travel different directions. I wanted to tell Jim it would be over quickly, that it wouldn’t hurt. In fact I suspected otherwise. I was particularly concerned over the use of fishing line for a heavy-stress operation like this. Leaders might hold, or snap, in any of a wide range of infuriating combinations. Success depended on a clean, even pull, with no lurching–just like hauling aboard a big fish.
After a while it became clear that Nixon’s engine was flooding; and, as well, the battery was at risk, grinding down, so Jerry Henderson wisely suggested, “Bill, give it a rest.” The other guys turned off their motors too. It was agreed to wait five minutes, then try again. By the shrubs, in the driveway, at road’s edge, men huddled: Jerry and Bill, Dick Morton, Abraham de Leon, Tom Thompson, Terry Heinemann, Robert Isaac. Did they hear Jim’s sobbing? It occurred to me to go to Jim and rest my hand on his shoulder, to hold him or wipe his forehead, possibly scratch an itch if he felt one. That seemed right. Yes. And to apologize: for the sentence, for the delay in carrying it out, for whatever.
The scene goes on from there, and leads into the other scene I vividly recall from this novel, a sex scene between the narrator and his wife in the backyard while she is gardening, which involves, among other small oddities, sex delivered in layered snippets of small dialogue like:
“Ah.”
“Ah.”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah.”
“Hmn?”
“Yeah.”
“How?”
“Slow.”
“Mn.”
“Ah.”
It continues in such fashion, building in its own way, and peppered with more Antrim things. Gotta see it to make sense, but it’s a refreshing rendering in a place where most nearly middle-aged white men would try to turn on the goose and sweat themselves in a boner that does not quite transfer through the page. Gross.
Anyhow, this is to say that if you haven’t checked out Antrim’s three novels, they are all three worth it, and unique in their own Antrim-ing.
Amy was also really into Antrim’s memoir ‘The Afterlife,’ about his mother’s death, which I just couldn’t quite feel as much, despite it having one of my favorite memoir chapters of all time, in which Antrim goes looking for the perfect mattress. It’s just something you have to read.
Not sure what’s up with Antrim now, it’s been a while since the memoir, though I imagine he has enough stories to put out a collection, at least? He’s one I always anticipate the next thing from, as it promises to be both a new stroke in the book of books, but also a shift in the fun of Antrim’s own sensibilities: a challenge-to-self for constant innovation while maintaining identity, which is certainly something to admire, if not strive for.
Looking back, I can say for sure that reading Antrim when I did made a huge impression on me, and certainly I think if not influenced me, at least came at a time (MFA-life) when I think I really needed to be reminded of ways of saying things new. Donald Antrim at the very least helped me figure out some of what fiction could do, and what I could do with it, all while being hilarious and fun and inspiring on its own time, and that in itself is a big ass gift.
Tags: amy hempel, donald antrim
I literally just finished this book a few days ago.
I wasn’t all that into it at first, but it really builds steam and has the sickest (in both senses of the word) ending ever.
I literally just finished this book a few days ago.
I wasn’t all that into it at first, but it really builds steam and has the sickest (in both senses of the word) ending ever.
the beginning is odd, yeah. i don’t know, i think i like the beginning more after i finished the book. but that draw and quarter scene, that shit kills me. funny that you just read, nice. have you read the other 2? i think i like them both even more
the beginning is odd, yeah. i don’t know, i think i like the beginning more after i finished the book. but that draw and quarter scene, that shit kills me. funny that you just read, nice. have you read the other 2? i think i like them both even more
Yes. Man. More. AHH.
Yes. Man. More. AHH.
No I actually haven’t read them, although I will now. The Hundred Brothers sounds like a great premise. This one had just been brought up in response to something I’d written, describing the scene where they attempt to blow up the mines by hurling encyclopedias from the library.
likely uninteresting side note: I met Donald Antrim once and found out we both had attended the same middle school.
No I actually haven’t read them, although I will now. The Hundred Brothers sounds like a great premise. This one had just been brought up in response to something I’d written, describing the scene where they attempt to blow up the mines by hurling encyclopedias from the library.
likely uninteresting side note: I met Donald Antrim once and found out we both had attended the same middle school.
If what you look for in litereature is “fuckedness”, have you read Raymond Roussel? I’m pretty sure his is king of said adjective.
does everyone but me have an mfa?
does everyone but me have an mfa?
Phillip Lopate on why one might want to get an MFA, “For two years, you get to feel like you’re not a jackass.”
Phillip Lopate on why one might want to get an MFA, “For two years, you get to feel like you’re not a jackass.”
Where is Antrim now? He taught at Columbia last semester and also gave a one-night lecture about his memoir, which I loved. Then he showed up at the Writing department’s winter party and was basically ambushed by a few fiction students who wanted to chat about whateverthehell or be seen chatting about whateverthehell with Donald Antrim. I don’t know how he found out about the party, but whoever told him to go probably left out the fact that no faculty members ever go to the winter party. I think he left pretty quickly for fear that he looked like a creep or something. I think he’s working on another novel now.
Where is Antrim now? He taught at Columbia last semester and also gave a one-night lecture about his memoir, which I loved. Then he showed up at the Writing department’s winter party and was basically ambushed by a few fiction students who wanted to chat about whateverthehell or be seen chatting about whateverthehell with Donald Antrim. I don’t know how he found out about the party, but whoever told him to go probably left out the fact that no faculty members ever go to the winter party. I think he left pretty quickly for fear that he looked like a creep or something. I think he’s working on another novel now.
matthew: yeah. so how bout you go play in the street? peon.
matthew: yeah. so how bout you go play in the street? peon.
no mfa
no mfa
peon
thats pretty funny. glad to hear he’s working on something. thanks catherine
peon
thats pretty funny. glad to hear he’s working on something. thanks catherine
I quite liked The Verificationist, and I’d say you did a fair job of describing Antrim’s unique ability to be both twisted, strange and heady, while at the same time completely readable and accessible. It’s an interesting combination, especially for those of us who are on the fence about what sort of literature to pursue ourselves. His work makes it seem like the dichotomy most people envision between literary modes is a false one. I wonder what other authors defy this dichotomy with such ease. It’s a list I hadn’t thought to make until now. I’d say, maybe for starters, Joy Williams. All this talk of late about Barry Hannah–he too I’d put on the list of someone who’s work frequently tucks great literary experimentalism into seemingly accessible prose.
I quite liked The Verificationist, and I’d say you did a fair job of describing Antrim’s unique ability to be both twisted, strange and heady, while at the same time completely readable and accessible. It’s an interesting combination, especially for those of us who are on the fence about what sort of literature to pursue ourselves. His work makes it seem like the dichotomy most people envision between literary modes is a false one. I wonder what other authors defy this dichotomy with such ease. It’s a list I hadn’t thought to make until now. I’d say, maybe for starters, Joy Williams. All this talk of late about Barry Hannah–he too I’d put on the list of someone who’s work frequently tucks great literary experimentalism into seemingly accessible prose.
thanks shya. i’d definitely put hannah there. williams too. maybe hempel too?
jim shepard does that for me.
sometimes ricky moody, tho he often tends a little more to the experimental seeming side.
steve erickson? david gates, jose saramago
thanks shya. i’d definitely put hannah there. williams too. maybe hempel too?
jim shepard does that for me.
sometimes ricky moody, tho he often tends a little more to the experimental seeming side.
steve erickson? david gates, jose saramago
I think these types are my favorite types. Barry Hannah is someone I thought of when I read your post. George Saunders I think would qualify at times. I find Barthelme to be quite readable and accessible most of the time, but that might be a stretch. hmm…
I think these types are my favorite types. Barry Hannah is someone I thought of when I read your post. George Saunders I think would qualify at times. I find Barthelme to be quite readable and accessible most of the time, but that might be a stretch. hmm…
I’m glad this was posted. I think Antrim is one of the most underrated authors in America. When recognition comes — and it will, I’m positive — it’ll come full-barreled. The Hundred Brothers is a masterpiece.
Being a huge fan of his, I came across this post from the American Academy of Berlin, where he’s currently a fellow. It gives an excerpt of the start of his new novel-in-progress, _Must I Now Read All of Wittgenstein?_
http://www.americanacademy.de/home/program/past/blog/2009/03/24/must_i_now_read_all_of_wittgenstein/399/detail/
I’m glad this was posted. I think Antrim is one of the most underrated authors in America. When recognition comes — and it will, I’m positive — it’ll come full-barreled. The Hundred Brothers is a masterpiece.
Being a huge fan of his, I came across this post from the American Academy of Berlin, where he’s currently a fellow. It gives an excerpt of the start of his new novel-in-progress, _Must I Now Read All of Wittgenstein?_
http://www.americanacademy.de/home/program/past/blog/2009/03/24/must_i_now_read_all_of_wittgenstein/399/detail/
By the way — if it makes anyone feel better — Antrim doesn’t hold an MFA, either.
By the way — if it makes anyone feel better — Antrim doesn’t hold an MFA, either.
I dig that title.
I dig that title.
nice. thanks red
nice. thanks red
Antrim sounds interesting, gonna check him out. And Jim Shepard is stellar.
Antrim sounds interesting, gonna check him out. And Jim Shepard is stellar.
Antrim is a hell of a writer. One of my favorite New Yorker stories in the last few years was one of his. “Pond, with Mud.”
Another good New Yorker/Antrim link is this:
Antrim reading Donald Barthelme’s “I Bought a Little City.”
My girlfriend has been trying to find a new mattress, and gets annoyed when I bring up that first chapter of The Afterlife. “This is not like that at all!”
Antrim is a hell of a writer. One of my favorite New Yorker stories in the last few years was one of his. “Pond, with Mud.”
Another good New Yorker/Antrim link is this:
Antrim reading Donald Barthelme’s “I Bought a Little City.”
My girlfriend has been trying to find a new mattress, and gets annoyed when I bring up that first chapter of The Afterlife. “This is not like that at all!”
does anyone else not have an undergrad degree in something relevant like literature or english or journalism?
does anyone else not have an undergrad degree in something relevant like literature or english or journalism?
Yo.
Yo.
My undergrad was in pyschology and I used to work at halfway houses for the mentally ill. I also did lots of “behavioral” stuff with rats even though all I wanted to do was read RD Laing and say “crazy people are sane in an insane world!”
Not a writer, but I have no MFA, nor anything close to an English type degree. I received a BS in Statistics. Just who you want helping decide who gets published, right?
Not a writer, but I have no MFA, nor anything close to an English type degree. I received a BS in Statistics. Just who you want helping decide who gets published, right?
fantastic. I took a few stat courses for my psych degree- it was required. Math is beautiful.
peon
peon
philosophy w/ a minor in ecology & evolutionary biology. ie: i will mow your lawn for whatever $ you can spare.
philosophy w/ a minor in ecology & evolutionary biology. ie: i will mow your lawn for whatever $ you can spare.
my minor was in anthropology/evolutionary theory.
I tended bar for 7 years.
I love Antrim. I send him messages on Facebook (to which he never responds) and it doesn’t change my attitude about him one bit. Great guy. Great writer.
I love Antrim. I send him messages on Facebook (to which he never responds) and it doesn’t change my attitude about him one bit. Great guy. Great writer.
your post inspired me to get a book of his at the library when i went to take a nap listening to adrienne rich.
it is the first book i have read more than 30 pages of. thank you! i feel like today is linked to yesterday and tomorrow will be linked to today. it’s been a while…
books i have started and picked up/put down in the last week and a half:
the golden notebook
the book of other people
the book of dead philosophers
sabbath by heschel
dust tracks on a road
the book of j
theory of literature
2 new yorker issues including the lizza article on obama’s budget man
book i have not put down:
the verificationist
your post inspired me to get a book of his at the library when i went to take a nap listening to adrienne rich.
it is the first book i have read more than 30 pages of. thank you! i feel like today is linked to yesterday and tomorrow will be linked to today. it’s been a while…
books i have started and picked up/put down in the last week and a half:
the golden notebook
the book of other people
the book of dead philosophers
sabbath by heschel
dust tracks on a road
the book of j
theory of literature
2 new yorker issues including the lizza article on obama’s budget man
book i have not put down:
the verificationist
if you like reading about mattresses check out a chapter somewhere in the middle of The Twelve Chairs by Ilf and Petrov. GENIUS.
if you like reading about mattresses check out a chapter somewhere in the middle of The Twelve Chairs by Ilf and Petrov. GENIUS.
i am glad of this sam
i am glad of this sam