Hustle

by Jason Skipper

In this powerful debut novel, an alcoholic ex-con man grandfather, his restless, philandering seafood salesman son, and his hopeful musician grandson struggle to make up for their past and somehow set course for the future. In the past, the grandfather has hustled for money; now he's hustling for redemption. The son has hustled for women; now he's hustling for love of a different sort. His son, Chris, is hustling to be a famous musician with enough money to solve his family's unsolvable problems. Chris's coming-of-age story explores the ways people struggle to fulfill their wants and desires-and what they are willing to sacrifice to feel free.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2011

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was moving and incredibly honest. The writing felt effortless, so much so that I found myself reading page after page without realizing how quickly I moved through the story. By the end I felt very connected to the characters, especially Chris. The ending, to me, wrapped up the story nicely, but it was also open. Like there is much more ahead, and this is my favorite kind of ending. Overall, this was great.

[Rachel Sandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel so much. Chris's story is written in such a raw and honest way, making each stage of his coming-of-age story feel heart-breakingly natural. I highly, highly recommend this book, as it taught me all over again what it feels like to hate and love a character (or, multiple characters) at the same time.

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rated R for strong language, sexuality, sensuality, violence, and mature thematic material. Actually, I think that it should be NC-17 or whatever the highest level is. DEFINITELY not college-textbook material!

I had to read this for a fiction writing class. The writing itself is phenomenal, but the story is so terribly depressing and realistic. Besides which, the profanity is terrible and there is explicit content that is not necessary in any book. It made me feel degraded as a woman and as a human in general, and made me feel that marriage is merely animalistic and crude--not holy and beautiful in any way.

The dysfunctional family never actually heals; it just shatters beyond any hope of repair. For me, that is unbelievably depressing. If I am told about so many problems, I would like to see some evidence of a solution, not further breakage of family and society.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fine coming-of-age novel about a young man who has to be the adult in his family throughout his childhood and teenage years because both his parents are alcoholics. It's funny, sad, triumphant, yet devoid of the sort of cliches you might expect from a first-time novelist. And it feels like a real memoir. It put me in mind of This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff. It's hard to believe this is Jason Skipper's first novel. I look forward to his next one.
P.S. The story's setting is North Texas in the 1980s. Dallasites will recognize many of the landmarks, including Trees, a club in Deep Ellum.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Skipper may be a first-time author, but readers wouldn't have any idea of that from this book. He writes with a well-honed voice and a realism that most authors spend their entire careers hoping to find. Simply put, this book is about a typical fractured American family trying to cope with the monotony of everyday life. Amazingly, Skipper has created characters that are typical--the deadbeat father, the coming-of-age son--yet intensely unique in their feelings, expressions, and behaviors. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what Skipper comes up with next!

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fine piece of fiction that had me making parallels to Black Swan Green in terms of how it captured boyhood into adolescence. Only as opposed to David Mitchell's novel of Thatcherite Britain, Skipper's work emerges out of the deep South of the United States, rock and roll music, and a shrimp van on the side of the highway. Some scenes are unforgettably presented by the author. I would give it 4.5 if I could.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovingly detailed portrait of a young man who cannot let go of his damaged family. Beautifully constructed and gracefully written.

[Tracy Georges · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING BOOK. Read it. :)