Flagrant, Self-Destructive Gestures: A Biography of Denis Johnson

by Ted Geltner

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Max Mcgrath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Denis Johnson dies at the age of 67 from liver cancer at the end of this biography. He comes across as a prickly, private man, a bit of a fool, very lucky and very talented. You would probably have about the same understanding of him if you’d gone ahead and read his books.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and University Of Iowa Press for an advance copy of this biography about the life and very busy times of an American writer who captured the feeling of hopelessness, the failed dreams of empire, and the inherent craziness in the world in both fiction, journalism and his first love poetry.

I always approach a biography with a bit of trepidation. I have met my heroes and in many ways have found them lacking. Walking out of book signing wondering why any adult would act like that. Finding out a creative person whose work I enjoyed, is really not what they appear. Learning of the wake of destruction left behind by people focused on their vision, stops being appealing after awhile. Especially in authors who probe that darkness, make hay from bad experiences, and seem to go looking for more. I was late to the party on Denis Johnson. Maybe I read some journalism, but while knowing the works, I knew nothing about them. In fact I think I read the books that critics never got behind, before reading the one that made them talk about him as a literary legend. I had read some things in the past that made me nervous, but in the hands of a skilled biographer, one who seems to specialize in unique and difficult writers, I felt that I was in safe hands. And while there is much to go, umm about, the image of a very talented man, with a lot of personal demons becomes clear. Flagrant, Self-Destructive Gestures: A Biography of Denis Johnson by Ted Geltner is a story of a life in full, taken to early in many ways, but leaving a rich legacy of work, and a few broken people that were swept along.

Denis Johnson was born in Munich, Germany, while his father was serving in the United States bureaucracy. The Johnsons spent time in Europe, the Philippines, Japan, and finally settled in the Virginia area of the United States. Johnson had always been a reader, and wanted to be a writer, something that seemed strange to many, but was supported by his parents. The University of Iowa became his home and training ground, especially the Iowa Writer's Workshop where he honed his craft, got married, developed his politics, and found many of the addictions that he would write about later. Iowa taught him how to write, the people around him taught him who to write about. Tramps, thieves, addicts, car accident victims, people at the margins and people who fought the law, though the law always won. Johnson kept track of all this for his future writings, starting with poems, and moving to fiction, as he needed money. Addictions came and went as did wives, but his reputation began to grow, winning prizes, great reviews, even movie deals, with a collection of stories Jesus' Son being the work that announced him to youth of the 90's.

I really enjoyed this book. This is the second that I have read by Ted Geltner, the previous being a biography on Harry Crews, another writer of tough prose, and damaged people. Geltner is a very good researcher finding people to share stories of Johnson, tracking down the truth when lies filled in so much, and really presenting the man inside of the writer. Geltner writes of the adventures in journalism, the despair of addiction getting ripped off on minor deals. Teaching in prison, an episode he used in his books. Geltner is really good at tying things together, of not believing the hype, and calling out his subject when he has to. This is a very complete book, one gets a real feeling of who Johnson was, and why he was such a talent.

A book for people who love biographies. Geltner has a real skill at capturing people who tried to keep so much of themselves hidden away. Geltner does not look away, nor allow his subject to be a jerk. And really captures the ability that Johnson had. Definitely for fans of Johnson, I don't think this will change minds, what one sees in the fiction or the poetry is pretty much what one gets. Also for people who like biographies about complicated people, told by very good chroniclers. I look forward to what Ted Geltner is planning to write about next.

[Phil reading_fastandslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the kind of person who likes to look up the entire life story of an artist who resonates with me. Whenever I find a new favorite band, it’s off to Wikipedia and YouTube. As I’ve become more of a reader these past few years, that same curiosity has applied to authors. Some of my favorites are well documented (Steinbeck), some have done heinous things that make it more complex to enjoy their art (Cormac), some are so secretive that it’s part of the fun (Pynchon). Denis Johnson was in a funny middle ground where he wasn’t exactly a recluse, but the information was fairly inaccessible. Some of it was only available online through the Wayback Machine. The little that was out there about his life sounded fascinating (his world travels as a child and adult to sometimes war torn countries, his journey from junkie fuckup to sober zen master of sorts) enough to warrant a deep dive that came up nil.

So I was extremely excited to A. find out this well researched bio had been written and B. to have graciously been sent an ARC copy. My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer - I would've loved to know a little more about the writing process for each book. But this is a great deep dive into DJ's fascinating life. Absolutely worth a read - support small publishers!