Chin Music

by James McManus

Raymond Zajak, star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, is in the hospital recovering from a head injury when missiles are launched that mark the nuclear destruction of the city and the beginning of World War III. As Chicago goes mad with panic, Zajak awakens from his coma and wanders into the streets on his way home, although home is only a vague concept in his muddled brain. Wandering into the Loop Area of Chicago, where panic has precipitated looting, murder, rape, and destruction, Zajak is guided by a personal Guardian Angel who sees him safely home to wife and son, who have themselves had to deal with crisis. Classic references are interspersed with 1980s pop culture and baseball lingo in a stream of consciousness novel that is true to its locale, but shows the city in less-than-perfect light.

Genres: Fiction

199 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

James "Jim" McManus is an American poker player, teacher and writer living in Kenilworth, Illinois.

Reviews

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

stream of consciousness style set in Chicago - emotionally impactful

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moments of brilliance, and an inspired premise. Unfortunately interspersed with some very dated and tiresome misogyny.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

HA! This author WAS my literature teacher at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.