Denis Johnson

One of the things I've noticed about Denis Johnson is that every time I read a new book I see he's moved to another desperate-sounding place. One of those places might have been Dead Man's Creek, Idaho, but in any case, they all conjure up that sort of picture. No hip New York or Montana writer there! Here is someone at the very edge of companionable society.

But the truth is, he went to Iowa's writing program, so he can't be that close to the edge. Also his stories are published in places like The New Yorker and The Paris Review -- he's not exactly literary fringe.

Another thing I like about Denis Johnson is that he refuses to write jacket blurbs for his writer friends. It's like a principle. Though I couldn't help but notice he got Rick Bass and Padgett Powell to write blurbs for him.

Anyway, I read Jesus' Son and I was converted. He can do anything he wants, even move to another godforsaken place and request jacket blurbs without giving any in return. I picture him in a very gray landscape wearing an army jacket he's had for about twelve years, a righteous and jittery and possibly detoxing St. Paul.

Update!

Denis Johnson still owes $5 to a former student of his who sold him a Rolling Stones album.

In addition, Alex Oropeza writes: "denis johnson, i have heard, is a very nice man ... you should know however that many of his sentences are incomplete."

First page of "Steady Hands at Seattle General"
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