Naked Pueblo

by Mark Jude Poirier

Sad, funny and perverse - the characters in these short stories are as diverse as the face of modern America. Set in Arizona, the trailer-park dwellers, crystal-reading gurus and disaffected teenagers show that Arizonians have their own way of coping with the emotional connections that shape lives.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 1999

About the author

American novelist and short-story writer.

Reviews

[🐴 🍖]

"barry hannah meets south park," per blurb on the back cover, which the chimpanzee bday party & the eyeball knocked loose in a south-of-the-border donkey show & the carnival ride foot amputation & the rock climbers munching purina monkey chow certainly attest to; but there's also an ecological bent (both garden variety & human ecology) that's not quite captured. pay attention to the importance of air conditioning, the constraints that puts on our cast of chars: how "far" is the next xeriscaped cul-de-sac over, truly, if it's 110 in the shade? featured most of what i look for in a story collection besides emotional heft, which is increasingly a nice-to-have

[Derek Finnigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book of twelve short stories in my local library, and was mesmerised by the brilliance of the writing, the characterisation, and the poignancy of the stories and settings. I found this to be an energising book, restoring my faith following a period where I've been reading some pretty pallid 'literature', in the power that writing has to make us see the world afresh, and to give us insight and different/changed perspective into the lives of others. I'll be making sure I read everything else this author has produced.

[✶ ☽asia☾ ✺ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought a second hand copy of this book on a whim - the cowboy hats on the cover of course got to me, the blurb on the back detailing ‘trailer-park dwellers, barflies, crystal-reading gurus, pig farmers, disaffected teenagers and dispirited retirees’ sold me all the way for the humble price of $3. Sad to see that Poirier is a lesser known author as I found his writing to be outstanding and will certainly be looking out for more of his work. This collection of short stories was like looking through the looking-glass and peering into the fucked up, perverse fever dreams of small town Midwest America. To me it read like a better Palo Alto (short stories by James Franco). With characters that almost certainly could’ve been plucked from a David Lynch set, this books does so well to express the absurdity we have learned to accept. Loved it! New fav for sure❤️❤️

[S Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

gritty stuff, not so flattering to Tucson

[Stuart Shiffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting collection of short stories. I selected it because the stories are set in Tucson, a city and community I visit yearly. The stories were entertaining although most of the characters were not of my social milieu. But I am glad I read the collection.

[Ziv Belfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt really jealous reading the stories cause you would think that everyone from Tucson has a funny nickname like "Beezer" "Chigger" "Jackpot" "Monkey Lady" etc, but we don't. It's all just make-believe...

[Chris Grieves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, although it was a little frustrating. Beautifully written and a very quick read, but it felt like I was reading snippets of a novel, especially in cases where the same characters showed up in different stories. It was as though I got chapters 1, 3 and 15 of one book, 2, 6 and 8 of another and a few unrelated stories that may have fit either book, but without the connecting chapters, you couldn't tell.

That being said, I will definitely read more Mark Poirier in the future.

[Jamie Rochford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great set of stories about "modern cowboys" in the south west of America, those living on the outskirts of society making a go of their lives. These include Rock climbers, Bikers and the like, working, loving and finding their thrills where they can. The author has a real passion for building characters and their dialogue, painting an involving landscape of their lives. Definitely would recommend.

[Tôpher Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild tales from the underbelly of Tucson, Arizona, full of grime, wastrels, dead beat sex and whacked out humour. These stories are not for the faint hearted, they traipse through disenchanted scenarios with a wicked charm, an addictive drive and, freakishly enough, even love. A disturbingly brilliant collection that’s like waking up to find an obscene tattoo you can’t remember getting!

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poirier is an excellent writer, his observations of life in Arizona superb. The only reason he didn't get 5 stars was that I have read similar stories (in fact I write similar teenager-in-peril stories)before and will do again. Don't let that put you off this is one great writer.

[Emmet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The short stories are each carefully crafted and really interesting. The characters were full and funny with shrewd observations on life. The 4 stars are because althouh enjoyable the book didn't totally blow me away as a 5star review would imply

[Patricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not about the real Pueblo. It is about Tucson, Arizona. It's guy-lit, complete with porta-potty scenes and barfing and kegs and other endless, pointless grade school level writing.

Food: none.

[Sps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd: I went from Tick (Empire Falls) to Chigger (this book). Also strongly and distinctly a setting book; you can't get the Southwest out of these stories.

[Johnfx750 · Rating 3 out of 5]

absolutely hilarious!

[Larry Briggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best picture of Tucson. Had to force myself to continue reading.