Exile

by Blake Nelson

A downtown Baudelaire of the ‘90 that’s what New York poet Mark West used to be. Now, at thirty-one, locked in a perpetual adolescence, he’s slipping. Even when he takes an artist-in-residence position at a small Oregon college, he finds himself still sleeping with strange women and seeking momentary oblivion in drugs. But when he returns to Manhattan with a new book idea and renewed energy, an emotional train wreck awaits him, and he discovers that he must take his first steps into his new life alone.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1997

About the author

Blake Nelson grew up in Portland, Oregon. He began his career writing short humor pieces for Details Magazine.

His first novel GIRL was originally serialized in SASSY magazine and was made into a film staring Selma Blaire and Portia De Rossi.

His novel PARANOID PARK won the prestigious International Grinzane Literary Award and was made into a film by Gus Van Sant.

His most recent Young Adult novel THE PRINCE OF VENICE BEACH has been shortlisted for the 2015 Edgar Award.

His 2011 novel RECOVERY ROAD has been adapted into a television drama for ABC FAMILY and will premier in January of 2016.

Reviews

[Paskell · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book is going absolutely nowhere and Mark is such an asshole, but maybe that’s the point

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good Holden Caufield-in-his-mid-thirties kind of thing. Aging bad-boy who is still coasting on his one published book gets a job teaching at a small college and continues trying to live like he's 20.

[Maria Bischel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm very repetitive but in a way you can’t help but hope the outcome will be different the next time (I’m referring in regards to the narrators actions) You can always guess what will happen you’ll hope he’s learned but then BAM. I don’t rly have much to say about this book except drugs sex n New York City

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember being disappointed that it wasn't a sequel to Girl (hello time machine) but otherwise enjoying the prose.

[Flora · Rating 2 out of 5]

The worst people are the luckiest

[Gene Wagendorf III · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake Nelson is standing one the line between good writer and good storyteller. His use of language is enough. Never over the top, never lacking, but at the same time, never spectacular. His strength lies in his ability to create believable and sympathetic characters (many times with utterly reprehensible qualities) and put them into engaging situations. The man is, for sure, a snotty little cynic, but it comes off with enough humor to work. Exile follows a struggling, drug abusing New York poet who attempts to revive his career after he is offered an artist-in-residence position at a small liberal arts school in bum-fuck Oregon. So yeah, fish out of water story, really really well done.

[Amy D.P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

He probably should have saved himself the time it took him to write this book. He's such an excellent writer that I don't feel this book really highlights his talent. However, if you are a Blake Nelson fan, it is worth reading.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love slipping into Blake Nelson's world. Short fast read. I've been reading his books for 20 years. It's always like going home with his books. His characters become my friends. bits an pieces of them will be with me for the rest of my life.

[Paul Anson · Rating 2 out of 5]

man, i wanted to like this. I wish i hadn't read any reviews while i was reading. made all the stinging problems so much more glaring. if you're going to write about portland: please don't change the names of our landmarks. i don't get it. Satyricon by any other name is half as seedy.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting take on what "success" means in poetry (or the artistic life in general). In the middle I really hated the main character... but it was interesting enough to keep on to the end. Hysterical scene near the end depicting a radio interview.

[Kacie]

I was actually a big fan of this book. The whole drug-abusing, tortured artist thing really appeals to me for whatever reason. There were times when I really didn't like Mark, but mostly I did. I would probably read it again.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exile was pretty different and a little wacky for me (at least at the moment). But I enjoy Blake Nelson's writing very much. I was put off by the main character at many points, but that was probably what Nelson was getting at. Glad to have read another one of his books. :)

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first read this book, I decided I didn't like it. But I've read it several more times and it's kinda grown on me.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about an aging hipster in Portland. Yawn.

[Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how dark this book is. Basically a slacker story of a guy who just can't get it together.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another story about a tortured artist who sort of comes to find meaning in his life while doing a lot of drugs and having a bit of sex.