Snakes: A Novel

by Al Young

From the first "This is the story of young, black, and his head full of music. Orphaned at an early age, he lives with his hardworking grandmother, Claude, who plays the numbers with the same passion that he plays his electric guitar. . .This novel is written with the rhythms and nuances of a delicate musical score." From University "SNAKES really isn't a it is verbal butterfly-collecting, a transcript, it is a musical score. . .the words leap from the page and beg to be lived. . .speech is allowed to be what it must have been in a way of loving."

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Shibron SL]

I think this is a beautiful book i can k now so much about it

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Al Young text I've read and I bought it on a whim cause the cover looked and the price was low. Known mostly for his poetry and being the Poet Laureate of California (We have one of these and how is it not Gary Soto) Young's first novel follows a high school age black kid from Detroit in the late 1950s. The kid is a guitar slinger who along with some fellow students manages to have a local hit, lose his virginity, and do a bunch of drugs. The book reads like a young adult novel (pun intended) though his celebration of experiencing jazz while stoned makes it clear this book is not for kids. Instead it's a bit of a nostalgic look at how music can you feel invincible, especially the first time around. I can appreciate it, but I can't get behind characters who wander in and out of the story without function and our hero's brief and aimless encounter with a hooker. Definitely glad I read it, let me know if you want to buy it.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about venomous animals. I learned about amphibians and reptiles. The book cover did appeal to me because it had a picture of a spitting cobra. I recommend this book to fact lovers, reptile, and specifically snake lovers.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all good souls, and all Detroiters...a good read.

[Ants · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books like this, "Snakes", encourage (us) readers to keep looking for books, pick them, and read them. The pleasant surprises will not cease.