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henrygravesprince's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book feels like a meeting of Suddenly Last Summer and Lost Souls, and I don’t mean in a positive way, I’m afraid. I’m sure that’s someone’s cup of tea, out there, but that person is not me. There are a few very lucid and interesting quotes, but most of the book is kind of incoherent and dark in a way that feels satirical. Like, to me, this entire book feels like when Tommy Wiseau’s character kills himself at the end of The Room distilled into literature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Murder, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism, Ableism, Incest, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Gore, Homophobia, Excrement, and Gun violence
69goose69's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ggttrrxx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
waltercoleslaw's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe it was trying to be a satire of southern gothic literature or pulpy homoerotic fiction, but in either case it wasn't very compelling and felt like third-rate Tennessee Williams, sucked of all lyricism.
sunnybopeep's review
4.25
Narrow Rooms uses a lot of dialogue intermixed with the third-person narration to tell a complex, character-driven story that is deeply psychological and emotionally charged. However, James Purdy has such a unique voice that mixes eloquence with raw, gritty American soil. His writing evokes feelings of manual labor and a hard life. The characters have a regional accent, and there is a small town West Virginia vibe. Narrow Rooms might be the quintessential example of transgressive fiction, and it really embodies the rebellious spirit of American literature.
I feel like it’s normal for writers to hide behind their characters. But James Purdy gives me the sense that he is baring his naked heart to the world through his books. The characters in Narrow Rooms are all extensions of his own blood and guts. Within the confines of this relatively short novel, the reader can feel how sensitive, savage, and passionate they are.
I guess what I’m trying to say that the plot of Narrow Rooms is wild, but there’s a lot more under the surface of this book to be savored.
rpmirabella's review
5.0
DEAR GOD!!! How to even talk about this novel!? It might be my favorite James Purdy. Just when you think it couldn't get crazier, it tops what came before. I'll talk about it later. I need a glass of water.
2nd reading:
Even MORE transgressive than I remember, and EVEN MORE SO NOW, somehow. Purdy was not concerned with respectability, was not interested in being a good queer, writing positive gay representation. He was interested in mining the depths of the obsessive souls of desperate people, caught up in their little desires and petty grievances, that in his world are EVERYTHING.
2nd reading:
Even MORE transgressive than I remember, and EVEN MORE SO NOW, somehow. Purdy was not concerned with respectability, was not interested in being a good queer, writing positive gay representation. He was interested in mining the depths of the obsessive souls of desperate people, caught up in their little desires and petty grievances, that in his world are EVERYTHING.
kingkong's review against another edition
4.0
Its just a combination of his two other books. But its still good