What do you think?
Rate this book
Orange Rain
From the illicit pharmaceutical underworld of San Francisco's Tenderloin to the cocaine-dusted film set of amputee porn in booming Las Vegas; from the urban-industrial hideout of militant black revolutionaries to a botched backyard lynching by Texas frat boys . . . Orange Rain hurtles from one stunning scene to the next, swaying between the hilarious and the hideous. Its humor is darker than the Marlboro Man's coffee (and his lung cancer). A wildly twisted and shocking novel, but also one with undeniable courage and compassion. It is an ode to humans' ability to endure in the face of horrific cruelty and suffering. A celebration of feminine strength and spirit. You've likely never read anything quite like it. "Orange Rain is not a politically correct novel—which is why it is so appealing . . . [the main] character has a clear revenge mission he never wavers from. Revenge is exacted on more than one oppressor, including two different rapists . . . [It's] the type of book that could never be published by a mainstream publisher, as they would be too afraid to touch the taboo subjects it contains. Jan Smitowicz's first novel . . . is fast-moving, fun to read, and isn't the same old tired thing we see coming from traditional publishers." -Kimberly Steele, author of Forever Fifteen and other novels "The eco-warriors next door embark on a lightning round of vigilante justice. Orange Rain is what happens when the Monkey Wrench Gang goes Death Wish and moves from the scrubland to the streets. Literature that incites." -Peter Young, former ALF prisoner, chief editor at Animal Liberation Frontline “A compelling, fast-paced adventure through some of society’s most intriguing subcultures . . . filled with incisive political commentary. This timely and important novel is a must read for anyone concerned about the state of the planet, or simply looking for a good read.” -Camille Marino, former political prisoner, founder of Negotiation is Over and Eleventh Hour for Animals “An exciting new author with a new voice to bring to the world of fiction. The literary world is in desperate need of more writers like him.” -Veronica Rosas, playwright Cover artwork by Teague Younger Vernell Published by Trébol Press
274 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2014
1 person is currently reading
254 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 15, 2013
This was different than the novels I usually read, and I really enjoyed the change of pace.
August 7, 2014
This will definitely have you feeling like you're on that rollercoaster of emotion. Chapters begin calm and continue to build until reaching an amazing climax of intensity that your heart races and, in my case, you tense up and read faster and then its all over and you're left with the emotional aftermath of these brutal scenes. I found myself occasionally having to stop and digest what exactly had just happened.
The blossoming relationship between Mai and Max is a welcoming bright spot throughout the book, that help you to root for them even more as you and the characters learn about their pasts at the same time.
I started reading this with honestly very little prior knowledge on the Vietnam war or Agent Orange (I wasn't even aware Monsanto, a company most people associate with GMOs these days, had anything to do with the production of it) but even just half way through I started to become interested in finding out more and doing my own research.
It's an intriguing, eye-opening look into not only the world of the 80's and those that suffered at the hands of Monsanto and Agent Orange, but also the lingering affects in the world of today. It may also teach you a thing or two about women's and animal's rights while its at it.
The blossoming relationship between Mai and Max is a welcoming bright spot throughout the book, that help you to root for them even more as you and the characters learn about their pasts at the same time.
I started reading this with honestly very little prior knowledge on the Vietnam war or Agent Orange (I wasn't even aware Monsanto, a company most people associate with GMOs these days, had anything to do with the production of it) but even just half way through I started to become interested in finding out more and doing my own research.
It's an intriguing, eye-opening look into not only the world of the 80's and those that suffered at the hands of Monsanto and Agent Orange, but also the lingering affects in the world of today. It may also teach you a thing or two about women's and animal's rights while its at it.
January 8, 2014
Some say ‘the best things in life are free’, others run with ‘you get what you pay for’. I picked up free ebook ‘Orange Rain’ by Jan Smitowicz that managed to land in both camps.
The Amazon description:
Max Wright is homicidally enraged with the people who wrecked his life—people he has never met or even seen. The Vietnam War left him poisoned and cancer-ridden from the spraying of Agent Orange, legless, and addicted to heroin, forced to sell drugs to support his habit and suppress his pain. Now he’s kicked heroin, and burns for revenge on the loathsome corporation that manufactured Agent Orange.
With his Vietnamese ex-prostitute girlfriend, Mai Linh, Max hitchhikes across mid-1980s America. Destination: Florida, where a university medical clinic is performing cutting-edge prosthetic leg implants. Only when he is able-bodied, Max reasons, can he attempt an attack on the corporation that ravaged his body, and decimated Mai Linh’s family and life. Hot on Max and Mai’s trail is Victor Lim, the “Oriental Massage Parlor” owner whose money they stole and penis they snapped in half following a rape attempt.
From the illicit pharmaceutical underworld of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district to the cocaine-dusted film set of amputee porn in booming Las Vegas, from the urban-industrial hideout of militant black revolutionaries to a botched backyard lynching by Texas frat boys, Orange Rain hurtles from one stunning scene to the next. It sways between hilarity and horror, and explores the dark places in America where the two intersect. It is an ode to humans’ ability to endure in the face of horrific cruelty and suffering. A celebration of feminine strength and spirit.
Orange Rain is rife with humor darker than the Marlboro Man’s coffee (and his lung cancer). It is like no other book you’ve ever read.
It certainly sounds an exciting and intriguing story. In reality it feels more like the script of a Hollywood blockbuster that has been loosely converted into a novel, now this isn’t necessarily a bad concept, to pull it off though it’s all in the execution. Unfortunately a lot of the book reads like you’re watching a movie along with the audio descriptions. There’s several sex scenes in the book, and while I’m no prude, it’s hard to see what most are adding other than a bit of random sensationalism, like the amputee porn film. It’s clear what the author is trying to do, and I can’t fault them for trying, but this book needed the treatment of a harsh editor, unless of course the idea was to create the book of an over exaggerated ridiculous but brilliant cult student film, if that’s the case, this novel is a raging success.
However I’m not sure of the author’s writing credentials, the writing itself contains disapproved writing behaviours. He uses ‘This character thinks this’, ‘that character is unsure of that’, rather than showing how those characters feel. In general it’s not good writing and painful to read in places. The story is entertaining, though it feels like a teenager’s idea of a revenge plot based on watching too many films and the writing highlights this.
The main dish is a homemade corn polenta with black and kidney bean chili, filled with green onions, red bell peppers, jalepeños, and cilantro, perfectly spiced. Who knew that nothing but plant foods could be so satisfying!
It should be noted that the author is vegan, so there’s a couple of comments like this crop up, it comes across as being cringe worthy. I have vegetarian and vegan friends and not one of them would ever describe their foodstuffs in such a manner. Given my diet is 90-95% vegetarian, I wouldn't describe food in that way. There are also odd moments where we get unnecessary previews of what’s happening next in the book. Nothing is gained by revealing this, it feels detrimental to the story to do so.
“I jus think maybe you start to like Florda. Maybe we go there and good thing happen!” Sadly, she couldn’t be more wrong. Soon a woman picks them up, fittingly enough, in a pickup.
"I don’t want to know now what is going to be happening when they get to Florida, I want to see what happens when they get there, I want to read about anything eventful happening on the way there."
The flip side of the author’s writing style is that there are several unintentionally hilarious moments and it was these that kept me reading.
"She moans twenty Ms of pleasure."
Twenty? Do we really need to count them?
"How perfect, Mai thinks in Vietnamese, heart thumping almost painfully in her chest."
We don’t need to know what language Mai is thinking in, it makes no difference.
These next few excerpts I can only assume to be attempts at the described dark humour, but I think I’m finding it humorous in a way the author didn’t intend. Judge for yourself.
Dozens of people crowd together on the fenced-off patio, eating seafood. The smell of death and salt and pussy fills Max’s nostrils; he wants to vomit.
Oh, shit. She really does expect him to stay and help take care of her bastard rape-baby. Her Raby.
If you didn’t know the situation, you might think Mai finds the carpet fascinating, the way she stares at it. She says nothing.
When you have trouble peeing, it’s easy to remedy. Just think of cold water flowing down your throat, burbling mountain springs, Niagara Falls. When your rectum is constipated, it’s a lot harder to overcome. What can you imagine to help evacuate your bowels? Constipation of the voice box is harder still.
The final one…
“But I have lots a’venture.” She stares at him for a long moment. She tilts her head to the side a little, smiling. “An I fall in love wih mos’ amazing man in the world. That worth a thousan rape!”
I’m not sure anything is worth a single rape let alone a thousand.
This ebook is no longer being given away free and can be bought from Amazon UK £3.18 or Amazon US $5.09
The Amazon description:
Max Wright is homicidally enraged with the people who wrecked his life—people he has never met or even seen. The Vietnam War left him poisoned and cancer-ridden from the spraying of Agent Orange, legless, and addicted to heroin, forced to sell drugs to support his habit and suppress his pain. Now he’s kicked heroin, and burns for revenge on the loathsome corporation that manufactured Agent Orange.
With his Vietnamese ex-prostitute girlfriend, Mai Linh, Max hitchhikes across mid-1980s America. Destination: Florida, where a university medical clinic is performing cutting-edge prosthetic leg implants. Only when he is able-bodied, Max reasons, can he attempt an attack on the corporation that ravaged his body, and decimated Mai Linh’s family and life. Hot on Max and Mai’s trail is Victor Lim, the “Oriental Massage Parlor” owner whose money they stole and penis they snapped in half following a rape attempt.
From the illicit pharmaceutical underworld of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district to the cocaine-dusted film set of amputee porn in booming Las Vegas, from the urban-industrial hideout of militant black revolutionaries to a botched backyard lynching by Texas frat boys, Orange Rain hurtles from one stunning scene to the next. It sways between hilarity and horror, and explores the dark places in America where the two intersect. It is an ode to humans’ ability to endure in the face of horrific cruelty and suffering. A celebration of feminine strength and spirit.
Orange Rain is rife with humor darker than the Marlboro Man’s coffee (and his lung cancer). It is like no other book you’ve ever read.
It certainly sounds an exciting and intriguing story. In reality it feels more like the script of a Hollywood blockbuster that has been loosely converted into a novel, now this isn’t necessarily a bad concept, to pull it off though it’s all in the execution. Unfortunately a lot of the book reads like you’re watching a movie along with the audio descriptions. There’s several sex scenes in the book, and while I’m no prude, it’s hard to see what most are adding other than a bit of random sensationalism, like the amputee porn film. It’s clear what the author is trying to do, and I can’t fault them for trying, but this book needed the treatment of a harsh editor, unless of course the idea was to create the book of an over exaggerated ridiculous but brilliant cult student film, if that’s the case, this novel is a raging success.
However I’m not sure of the author’s writing credentials, the writing itself contains disapproved writing behaviours. He uses ‘This character thinks this’, ‘that character is unsure of that’, rather than showing how those characters feel. In general it’s not good writing and painful to read in places. The story is entertaining, though it feels like a teenager’s idea of a revenge plot based on watching too many films and the writing highlights this.
The main dish is a homemade corn polenta with black and kidney bean chili, filled with green onions, red bell peppers, jalepeños, and cilantro, perfectly spiced. Who knew that nothing but plant foods could be so satisfying!
It should be noted that the author is vegan, so there’s a couple of comments like this crop up, it comes across as being cringe worthy. I have vegetarian and vegan friends and not one of them would ever describe their foodstuffs in such a manner. Given my diet is 90-95% vegetarian, I wouldn't describe food in that way. There are also odd moments where we get unnecessary previews of what’s happening next in the book. Nothing is gained by revealing this, it feels detrimental to the story to do so.
“I jus think maybe you start to like Florda. Maybe we go there and good thing happen!” Sadly, she couldn’t be more wrong. Soon a woman picks them up, fittingly enough, in a pickup.
"I don’t want to know now what is going to be happening when they get to Florida, I want to see what happens when they get there, I want to read about anything eventful happening on the way there."
The flip side of the author’s writing style is that there are several unintentionally hilarious moments and it was these that kept me reading.
"She moans twenty Ms of pleasure."
Twenty? Do we really need to count them?
"How perfect, Mai thinks in Vietnamese, heart thumping almost painfully in her chest."
We don’t need to know what language Mai is thinking in, it makes no difference.
These next few excerpts I can only assume to be attempts at the described dark humour, but I think I’m finding it humorous in a way the author didn’t intend. Judge for yourself.
Dozens of people crowd together on the fenced-off patio, eating seafood. The smell of death and salt and pussy fills Max’s nostrils; he wants to vomit.
Oh, shit. She really does expect him to stay and help take care of her bastard rape-baby. Her Raby.
If you didn’t know the situation, you might think Mai finds the carpet fascinating, the way she stares at it. She says nothing.
When you have trouble peeing, it’s easy to remedy. Just think of cold water flowing down your throat, burbling mountain springs, Niagara Falls. When your rectum is constipated, it’s a lot harder to overcome. What can you imagine to help evacuate your bowels? Constipation of the voice box is harder still.
The final one…
“But I have lots a’venture.” She stares at him for a long moment. She tilts her head to the side a little, smiling. “An I fall in love wih mos’ amazing man in the world. That worth a thousan rape!”
I’m not sure anything is worth a single rape let alone a thousand.
This ebook is no longer being given away free and can be bought from Amazon UK £3.18 or Amazon US $5.09
November 4, 2015
Sergeant Max Wright is our legless and wheelchair bound protagonist who is sandwiched between two covers filled with 293 pages of Mr. Jan (POSSIBLY pronounced “John”, “Zhon”, or “J’on”) Smitowicz’s “Orange Rain”.
Max is an angry and fed up Vietnam veteran who is dealing with day-to-day life which involves Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), painkillers, liquor, drug use, profanity-laced dialogue, anger towards a heartless government, a Vietnamese masseuse, violence, and absurd sexual escapades. Max’s feelings are up for debate and translation in the realm of justifiable reasoning for why he feels the things that he feels.
This story has the air and feel of Tom Cruise’s “Born on the 4th of July”: a disgruntled military man who served his government and country only to be treated poorly by the very same government and country.
In this scenario, our mobility challenge sergeant is paired with his Vietnamese ex masseuse turned girlfriend as they make their way across the country to Florida so he can receive a pair of $10,000 legs so that he again may walk and exact his revenge on those who crippled him.
Think Lieutenant Dan from “Forrest Gump.” Yeah: you’ve got the image and idea.
As strange as this situation sounds, it is not too far off the beaten path of taking a road trip in the name of obtaining something of great value that may very well tip the balance of life into your favor. Also, as with any traveling adventure, you learn a little or a lot more about yourself as you are placed in a multitude of situations.
Max Wright’s demeanor and attitude is certainly one who feels jilted and hosed by the United States bureaucracy; reliant on a monthly stipend in the form of a disability check that is gone due to his poor decisions that results in receiving a “happy ending”, panhandling on the streets, liquor store trips, and pill popping and pill sales. Max cannot grasp the concept of putting that money towards things that will make his life a little easier to manage. Granted, he has his apartment (or something of that nature) and pays for whatever he needs, yet Max chooses to squander what little funding he has left on absurdities. I did neglect to mention that he does have morphine for the pain he endures in his back, PTSD, and leukemia as lovely parting gifts due to the loss of his legs and the peppering of Agent Orange in Vietnam.
If anything, PTSD is a heavy condition with which almost every soldier deals and is a serious conversation piece where more of our veterans and active duty soldiers are enduring PTSD’s crippling effect. It affects more people than you know and may realize. If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, seek help immediately.
Citing those items that I have mentioned in the story indicates that Mr. Smitowicz did his homework thoroughly. Historical and cultural figures/references are mentioned as well as the mega corporation Monsanto: the company responsible for Agent Orange and other items which are actually made for households. This company is mentioned a lot, and bears a significant amount of weight as far as the story’s progression.
The story includes flashbacks of a younger Max who was trying to find his place in the San Francisco area as he pushes himself and his pills while shooting up heroin all while attempting to “stick it to The Man” or “The Man” sticks it to him in the form of suicide. Also, Mr. Smitowicz sprinkles some future vision into the story; almost as if he is preparing us to meet certain characters later down the line (or not).
Not only does Mr. Smitowicz write these items, he makes his presence known by going into tangents that legitimately “Break the 4th Wall“. Is breaking the 4th wall beneficial to the story and its progression? It is all a matter of perspective.
Think of a freeze frame during a television show or a movie. The scene pauses, then the narrator or actor looks into the camera and delivers dialogue to the audience; acknowledging their presence and existence.
I believe this adds to the reading experience; giving the author’s perspective and views on certain elements to which the audience can relate. Some may not like this notion, yet for me it is intriguing.
I WILL say that several turns of events within this story has put a smile on my face and a chuckle into my chest.
There is bonus material at the end of the book, including an interview of the author and discussion points for the readers.
There was one spelling error found during the Texas fair event while describing the foods that were being served:
“Dozens of scattered food carts sell ice cream drumsticks, popsicles, churros, hotdogs and burgers, cotton candy, and things so fatty and demented and hedonistic that perhaps only a Southerner could dream them up: deep-fried Twinkies, donuts, Ding-dongs, dongs, Oreo stacks, and sticks of butter. That’s right: DEEP-FRIEND sticks of butter.”
The word “and” is thrown a lot: several pieces of dialogue start with that word. As I have said before, “and” should be sprinkled like toppings on an ice cream cone to enhance it’s flavor, not drowned to mask the main ingredient. Someone could make an argument that citing how it is relative to a person speech when placed inside of quotation marks, “and” beginning a sentence IS passable. I still oppose this view, yet in SOME STRANGE WAY I understand their point.
Aside from the overuse of the word “and” as well as the one spelling error, “Orange Rain” is a very engaging and compelling read for those who are looking for a good post Vietnam War story.
“Orange Rain” is a funny, quirky, and deep book about how life in America could have (and most likely is) during that time frame. I highly suggest and recommend that “Orange Rain” is added to your shelf: it WILL be added to mine!
Max is an angry and fed up Vietnam veteran who is dealing with day-to-day life which involves Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), painkillers, liquor, drug use, profanity-laced dialogue, anger towards a heartless government, a Vietnamese masseuse, violence, and absurd sexual escapades. Max’s feelings are up for debate and translation in the realm of justifiable reasoning for why he feels the things that he feels.
This story has the air and feel of Tom Cruise’s “Born on the 4th of July”: a disgruntled military man who served his government and country only to be treated poorly by the very same government and country.
In this scenario, our mobility challenge sergeant is paired with his Vietnamese ex masseuse turned girlfriend as they make their way across the country to Florida so he can receive a pair of $10,000 legs so that he again may walk and exact his revenge on those who crippled him.
Think Lieutenant Dan from “Forrest Gump.” Yeah: you’ve got the image and idea.
As strange as this situation sounds, it is not too far off the beaten path of taking a road trip in the name of obtaining something of great value that may very well tip the balance of life into your favor. Also, as with any traveling adventure, you learn a little or a lot more about yourself as you are placed in a multitude of situations.
Max Wright’s demeanor and attitude is certainly one who feels jilted and hosed by the United States bureaucracy; reliant on a monthly stipend in the form of a disability check that is gone due to his poor decisions that results in receiving a “happy ending”, panhandling on the streets, liquor store trips, and pill popping and pill sales. Max cannot grasp the concept of putting that money towards things that will make his life a little easier to manage. Granted, he has his apartment (or something of that nature) and pays for whatever he needs, yet Max chooses to squander what little funding he has left on absurdities. I did neglect to mention that he does have morphine for the pain he endures in his back, PTSD, and leukemia as lovely parting gifts due to the loss of his legs and the peppering of Agent Orange in Vietnam.
If anything, PTSD is a heavy condition with which almost every soldier deals and is a serious conversation piece where more of our veterans and active duty soldiers are enduring PTSD’s crippling effect. It affects more people than you know and may realize. If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, seek help immediately.
Citing those items that I have mentioned in the story indicates that Mr. Smitowicz did his homework thoroughly. Historical and cultural figures/references are mentioned as well as the mega corporation Monsanto: the company responsible for Agent Orange and other items which are actually made for households. This company is mentioned a lot, and bears a significant amount of weight as far as the story’s progression.
The story includes flashbacks of a younger Max who was trying to find his place in the San Francisco area as he pushes himself and his pills while shooting up heroin all while attempting to “stick it to The Man” or “The Man” sticks it to him in the form of suicide. Also, Mr. Smitowicz sprinkles some future vision into the story; almost as if he is preparing us to meet certain characters later down the line (or not).
Not only does Mr. Smitowicz write these items, he makes his presence known by going into tangents that legitimately “Break the 4th Wall“. Is breaking the 4th wall beneficial to the story and its progression? It is all a matter of perspective.
Think of a freeze frame during a television show or a movie. The scene pauses, then the narrator or actor looks into the camera and delivers dialogue to the audience; acknowledging their presence and existence.
I believe this adds to the reading experience; giving the author’s perspective and views on certain elements to which the audience can relate. Some may not like this notion, yet for me it is intriguing.
I WILL say that several turns of events within this story has put a smile on my face and a chuckle into my chest.
There is bonus material at the end of the book, including an interview of the author and discussion points for the readers.
There was one spelling error found during the Texas fair event while describing the foods that were being served:
“Dozens of scattered food carts sell ice cream drumsticks, popsicles, churros, hotdogs and burgers, cotton candy, and things so fatty and demented and hedonistic that perhaps only a Southerner could dream them up: deep-fried Twinkies, donuts, Ding-dongs, dongs, Oreo stacks, and sticks of butter. That’s right: DEEP-FRIEND sticks of butter.”
The word “and” is thrown a lot: several pieces of dialogue start with that word. As I have said before, “and” should be sprinkled like toppings on an ice cream cone to enhance it’s flavor, not drowned to mask the main ingredient. Someone could make an argument that citing how it is relative to a person speech when placed inside of quotation marks, “and” beginning a sentence IS passable. I still oppose this view, yet in SOME STRANGE WAY I understand their point.
Aside from the overuse of the word “and” as well as the one spelling error, “Orange Rain” is a very engaging and compelling read for those who are looking for a good post Vietnam War story.
“Orange Rain” is a funny, quirky, and deep book about how life in America could have (and most likely is) during that time frame. I highly suggest and recommend that “Orange Rain” is added to your shelf: it WILL be added to mine!
August 27, 2018
This book is stylishly written and features characters that are surprisingly realistic even though you wonder if you’d ever meet one in real life. The scenes are vividly portrayed and the encounters and situations the characters find themselves in are described colorfully and memorably. I enjoyed the book greatly especially the side notes regarding the main character’s stance on eating fellow creatures and propagating within a world already overly populated. Pick up this book for a fun read and a unique voice with viewpoints you don’t normally encounter in the mainstream. But, it’s about time these kinds of books do find themselves in the mainstream. Because the ideas expressed inside of them allow the reader to dig deep and question his own sense of values and ethics…yet in a fun and entertaining way.
January 17, 2022
Have you ever been really, really REALLY fucked over?
In a way that can't be fixed, like being shot, raped, losing a child to medical malpractice, or being sterilized by the capitalist chemical demondusties? Oh, like, say MONSANTO?
I'm talking about being a victim of something that can never truly be healed; so you are stuck figuring out for the rest of your life how to cope with overwhelming feelings and gaping inner wounds.
This book might be for you, depending upon how bad your PTSD is, and how easily triggered you might be by some graphic sexual violence depictions, because it is the tale of two very different American war on Vietnam-era victims of Agent Orange on a cross-country sojourn to wreak revenge on Monsanto.
If you expect a journey of monkeywrenching sprees across the expanses of Turtle Island, you might be disappointed. You'll find it mostly a journey of drug deals and sexcapades: some gone right, some turned bad.
It's mostly a journey of the feelings of one of the oddest couples in literature: an American veteran who lost both legs and got leukemia from Agent Orange–then became a heroin addict and drug dealer, and his longtime Vietnamese prostitute-turned-girlfriend who has horror stories of her own from the genocidal, herbicidal-spraying of rural villages in South Vietnam.
Should you allow yourself to even consider waging a campaign of revenge against the monsters of your life? What would you do if you could do anything to your rapist and get away with it, and even supported for your choice?
I met the author a few years ago and bought his book at the Humboldt County anarchists fair. He has a few other published stories to tell, and I'll be checking them out.
Oh! And I'll give the book a bonus (virtual) sixth star for starting out in a whorehouse not far from where I grew up in Van Nuys, CA! As a teenager, I never stumbled across such an establishment as the Asian massage parlor where the revenge on Monsanto tour is cooked up, and, abruptly gets launched!
In a way that can't be fixed, like being shot, raped, losing a child to medical malpractice, or being sterilized by the capitalist chemical demondusties? Oh, like, say MONSANTO?
I'm talking about being a victim of something that can never truly be healed; so you are stuck figuring out for the rest of your life how to cope with overwhelming feelings and gaping inner wounds.
This book might be for you, depending upon how bad your PTSD is, and how easily triggered you might be by some graphic sexual violence depictions, because it is the tale of two very different American war on Vietnam-era victims of Agent Orange on a cross-country sojourn to wreak revenge on Monsanto.
If you expect a journey of monkeywrenching sprees across the expanses of Turtle Island, you might be disappointed. You'll find it mostly a journey of drug deals and sexcapades: some gone right, some turned bad.
It's mostly a journey of the feelings of one of the oddest couples in literature: an American veteran who lost both legs and got leukemia from Agent Orange–then became a heroin addict and drug dealer, and his longtime Vietnamese prostitute-turned-girlfriend who has horror stories of her own from the genocidal, herbicidal-spraying of rural villages in South Vietnam.
Should you allow yourself to even consider waging a campaign of revenge against the monsters of your life? What would you do if you could do anything to your rapist and get away with it, and even supported for your choice?
I met the author a few years ago and bought his book at the Humboldt County anarchists fair. He has a few other published stories to tell, and I'll be checking them out.
Oh! And I'll give the book a bonus (virtual) sixth star for starting out in a whorehouse not far from where I grew up in Van Nuys, CA! As a teenager, I never stumbled across such an establishment as the Asian massage parlor where the revenge on Monsanto tour is cooked up, and, abruptly gets launched!
October 31, 2015
Disclaimer: My review will contain slight spoilers.
“Orange Rain” is, without a doubt, a story that is hard to judge. Time and time again, the story left me at a proverbial cross roads, and none too many times, literally speechless. While the blurb claims that “Orange Rain” is rife with dark humor, I can’t say that I picked up on it. In my humble opinion the entire story was dismal, dark and all out depressing at time. So, perhaps I was slow to catch onto the quoted humor.
My review today will be short (or as short as I can make it) and to the point. First, I’ll start off with the premise.
“Orange Rain” revolves around Max, his love interest Mia and his best friend, Andre. Max is a Vietnam veteran with a terrible case of PTSD. Max lost his legs in the war and from it he garners a personal vendetta against the Military/Government. Max traverse the United States like contemporary vigilantes and his companions serve as both his support and voice of reason. Although, in many occasions the “reason” they provided was not so “reasonable”, if you will. A large portion of the story is also about the voyage to get Max prosthetic legs, which he calls “robot legs”, this is also the backbone that drives the story.
The story takes place over several years and demonstrates infinite mental-emotional repercussions as a result of war. The three characters find themselves, many times over, in very rough spots—from theft, and gun handling, to rape and drugs—and have to see themselves through the quandaries. This, in the end, forms an unbreakable bond between them.
Now on to my thoughts of “Orange Rain” in the form of bullets.
Not for everyone!
Indubitably, “Orange Rain” is not a book that anyone can read. The content can be downright offensive at times. Particularly, to those whom may be sensitive to graphic pseudo-erotica, socio-political aggression, quasi-violent undertones, and explicit language. Said readers, will unquestionably cringe with contempt at much of the story, and probably spit on it too.
Dark humor gone askew.
While the blurb claims that the story is full of dark humor I didn’t laugh once. This is saying something because I’m a person that has a great sense of humor, and know when things are meant to be funny and when they are not.
The writing style; not a fan.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand time, I’m not a fan of present tense writing. It innately has too many blunders. Yet, setting that aside, there were many things I did not like about the writing style of this book.
(1) It was very staccato and not in a good way. Too many times over, the sentences felt incomplete and/or nonuniform. It was like one was being narrated to by an illiterate person with little to no swagger. The abundance of typos and syntax errors were ridiculous as well. The story is drained in vast amounts of incomplete sentences, punctuations errors and the like. Truthfully, it wasn’t the worst I’ve even seen in that regard, but it could definitely have been better. Particularly, with a book such as this.
(2) It was hard to tell the difference between recollections and current events. There were many flashbacks, as well as some increments of foretellings, which washed together with the prevailing progression and made for a very confusing sequence.
(3) Most of the story is told in Third Person Omniscient, then at the very end, suddenly changes to First Person Omniscient, being told via the perspective of Andre. Which left me confused because I couldn’t tell how or why that happened.
A non-ending.
I was furious at the ending! Irate, I tell you.
While the story ended with a “happily every after” undertone, there were many questions that remained unanswered. Yet, Andre endeavors to tell the reader that he’s not going to answer them “because he’s an a-hole“. His words, not mine.
Truth is, I went into “Orange Rain” objectively, hoping that it would be something worth gushing over. It wasn’t. I do give props on this; if I gained anything from the story, it was a bit of insight into the times and lives of veterans after Vietnam, as well as those affected by said war. I also learned what Agent Orange was.
With all of that being said, I bestow “Orange Rain” 2 Stars, and THAT'S the best I can do.
Inherently, “Orange Rain” is a book that is difficult to place, let alone like. Yet, even with that, I really desired for it to be a bit more than what it was. While it had some things in it’s favor, the majority of the story was simply hard to enjoy.
“Orange Rain” is, without a doubt, a story that is hard to judge. Time and time again, the story left me at a proverbial cross roads, and none too many times, literally speechless. While the blurb claims that “Orange Rain” is rife with dark humor, I can’t say that I picked up on it. In my humble opinion the entire story was dismal, dark and all out depressing at time. So, perhaps I was slow to catch onto the quoted humor.
My review today will be short (or as short as I can make it) and to the point. First, I’ll start off with the premise.
“Orange Rain” revolves around Max, his love interest Mia and his best friend, Andre. Max is a Vietnam veteran with a terrible case of PTSD. Max lost his legs in the war and from it he garners a personal vendetta against the Military/Government. Max traverse the United States like contemporary vigilantes and his companions serve as both his support and voice of reason. Although, in many occasions the “reason” they provided was not so “reasonable”, if you will. A large portion of the story is also about the voyage to get Max prosthetic legs, which he calls “robot legs”, this is also the backbone that drives the story.
The story takes place over several years and demonstrates infinite mental-emotional repercussions as a result of war. The three characters find themselves, many times over, in very rough spots—from theft, and gun handling, to rape and drugs—and have to see themselves through the quandaries. This, in the end, forms an unbreakable bond between them.
Now on to my thoughts of “Orange Rain” in the form of bullets.
Not for everyone!
Indubitably, “Orange Rain” is not a book that anyone can read. The content can be downright offensive at times. Particularly, to those whom may be sensitive to graphic pseudo-erotica, socio-political aggression, quasi-violent undertones, and explicit language. Said readers, will unquestionably cringe with contempt at much of the story, and probably spit on it too.
Dark humor gone askew.
While the blurb claims that the story is full of dark humor I didn’t laugh once. This is saying something because I’m a person that has a great sense of humor, and know when things are meant to be funny and when they are not.
The writing style; not a fan.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand time, I’m not a fan of present tense writing. It innately has too many blunders. Yet, setting that aside, there were many things I did not like about the writing style of this book.
(1) It was very staccato and not in a good way. Too many times over, the sentences felt incomplete and/or nonuniform. It was like one was being narrated to by an illiterate person with little to no swagger. The abundance of typos and syntax errors were ridiculous as well. The story is drained in vast amounts of incomplete sentences, punctuations errors and the like. Truthfully, it wasn’t the worst I’ve even seen in that regard, but it could definitely have been better. Particularly, with a book such as this.
(2) It was hard to tell the difference between recollections and current events. There were many flashbacks, as well as some increments of foretellings, which washed together with the prevailing progression and made for a very confusing sequence.
(3) Most of the story is told in Third Person Omniscient, then at the very end, suddenly changes to First Person Omniscient, being told via the perspective of Andre. Which left me confused because I couldn’t tell how or why that happened.
A non-ending.
I was furious at the ending! Irate, I tell you.
While the story ended with a “happily every after” undertone, there were many questions that remained unanswered. Yet, Andre endeavors to tell the reader that he’s not going to answer them “because he’s an a-hole“. His words, not mine.
Truth is, I went into “Orange Rain” objectively, hoping that it would be something worth gushing over. It wasn’t. I do give props on this; if I gained anything from the story, it was a bit of insight into the times and lives of veterans after Vietnam, as well as those affected by said war. I also learned what Agent Orange was.
With all of that being said, I bestow “Orange Rain” 2 Stars, and THAT'S the best I can do.
Inherently, “Orange Rain” is a book that is difficult to place, let alone like. Yet, even with that, I really desired for it to be a bit more than what it was. While it had some things in it’s favor, the majority of the story was simply hard to enjoy.
November 5, 2015
I have to say my feelings are mixed; it wasn’t a pleasant book but I suppose you shouldn’t expect nice when dealing with such topic. The author wanted to show how individual people suffered because a company had wanted to test their product or a government had wanted to have a war. It is never nice, being a lab rat of a kind and it might happen to anybody.
So we get Max Wright, a Vietnam war veteran, a dingy bearded cripple who is so twisted that in order to straighten him you would need a steamroller or a tank. He deals drugs, he smokes, he drinks heavily, he pops Valium and whatever downer pills he gets from a doctor as if they were sweets and he dreams of a pair of prosthetic leg implants which can be had for 10k dollars or so he is led to believe. Still how an unemployed vet, with as many bad habits as fleas on a stray dog, might earn so much? Illegally of course – stealing, dealing, lying through his teeth, even occasionally pimping his girlfriend prostitute, a Vietnamese woman called Mai Linh Trahn.
Still Max is not a completely bad man. He can be loyal – as far as his drug-addled brain allows him to be. He saves his friend from an ugly lynch. He seems to truly love and care for Mai. He hopes that his life might change for better which is kind of delusional and sweet, taking into account the fact that he also wants to fight against a big ugly corporation which produced Agent Orange, destroyed Vietnam, his health and the family of Mai.
If gross scenes, a present tense narration, gratuitous sex and violence and a completely ambiguous ending don’t discourage you read this one. After starting it I was toying with the idea of DNF for like 10-20 pages and I am surprised I actually finished it. However it must be admitted the author knows how to construct his fiction. The story pulled me inside and didn’t want to let go, its raw honesty being actually refreshing. I liked the fragments about the Warehouse and its inhabitants – all vegans and all fighting the system – the best. I liked Max and Mai a bit too but I wish their story wasn’t cut so abruptly short.
The present tense narration was also something I had to get used to but ultimately the story prevailed because I like flawed heroes and I like it when they try to change something against the odds. Even if you know it can’t end well. The action was there but the characterization could have been done much better in my very humble opinion.
Final verdict:
Not a bad book but also nothing easy to read. I was a bit put off by the fact that the author used his story to ‘proselytize’ a bit – if you care to read the interview at the back of the book you will know what I mean. I have nothing against vegans, I am a vegetarian myself but when I see somebody’s style of life pitched in their novel I feel uncomfortable. I also wish I was given a more solid ending. There have been several huge class action lawsuits against the evil Monstanto – Max and Mai testifying in the court along other victims would be such a nice way to show violence is often not the only way of avenging yourself.
So we get Max Wright, a Vietnam war veteran, a dingy bearded cripple who is so twisted that in order to straighten him you would need a steamroller or a tank. He deals drugs, he smokes, he drinks heavily, he pops Valium and whatever downer pills he gets from a doctor as if they were sweets and he dreams of a pair of prosthetic leg implants which can be had for 10k dollars or so he is led to believe. Still how an unemployed vet, with as many bad habits as fleas on a stray dog, might earn so much? Illegally of course – stealing, dealing, lying through his teeth, even occasionally pimping his girlfriend prostitute, a Vietnamese woman called Mai Linh Trahn.
Still Max is not a completely bad man. He can be loyal – as far as his drug-addled brain allows him to be. He saves his friend from an ugly lynch. He seems to truly love and care for Mai. He hopes that his life might change for better which is kind of delusional and sweet, taking into account the fact that he also wants to fight against a big ugly corporation which produced Agent Orange, destroyed Vietnam, his health and the family of Mai.
If gross scenes, a present tense narration, gratuitous sex and violence and a completely ambiguous ending don’t discourage you read this one. After starting it I was toying with the idea of DNF for like 10-20 pages and I am surprised I actually finished it. However it must be admitted the author knows how to construct his fiction. The story pulled me inside and didn’t want to let go, its raw honesty being actually refreshing. I liked the fragments about the Warehouse and its inhabitants – all vegans and all fighting the system – the best. I liked Max and Mai a bit too but I wish their story wasn’t cut so abruptly short.
The present tense narration was also something I had to get used to but ultimately the story prevailed because I like flawed heroes and I like it when they try to change something against the odds. Even if you know it can’t end well. The action was there but the characterization could have been done much better in my very humble opinion.
Final verdict:
Not a bad book but also nothing easy to read. I was a bit put off by the fact that the author used his story to ‘proselytize’ a bit – if you care to read the interview at the back of the book you will know what I mean. I have nothing against vegans, I am a vegetarian myself but when I see somebody’s style of life pitched in their novel I feel uncomfortable. I also wish I was given a more solid ending. There have been several huge class action lawsuits against the evil Monstanto – Max and Mai testifying in the court along other victims would be such a nice way to show violence is often not the only way of avenging yourself.
August 22, 2015
This book cures cancer.
Orange Rain--not your typical, lighthearted, feel-good, opiate-of-the-masses crowd-pleaser. This book is packed with purpose, holding a magnifying glass up to the iniquities within and blemishes on the face of modern industrial America. Smitowicz dares you to look through this magnifying glass and witness the true underground.
Orange Rain doesn't cure cancer immediately or directly, but in an extended, roundabout kind of way. Smitowicz exposes and inspires malice towards Monsanto, the chemical-manufacturing supergiant responsible for a range of chemical products, from RoundUp (the famed plant-killer) to Agent Orange (the infamed foliage destroyer and cancer/birth defect-inducer).
Thus this book cures cancer, in a round(up)about kind of way. Not an opiate of the masses, more like a chemotherapy of the masses.
However the scope of this book moves far past the simple goal of defaming the evil Monsanto. Smitowicz's elevated narration and noble ideals clash interestingly with the voices of the low-brow down-and-outs of the eclectic Cold War/post-Vietnam era American society. The protagonist, a wheel-chair bound Vietnam vet Mac, takes us on cross-country trip through America's shady underground, exposing corruption and the decline of moral America, one step (figuratively speaking) at a time.
Orange Rain--not your typical, lighthearted, feel-good, opiate-of-the-masses crowd-pleaser. This book is packed with purpose, holding a magnifying glass up to the iniquities within and blemishes on the face of modern industrial America. Smitowicz dares you to look through this magnifying glass and witness the true underground.
Orange Rain doesn't cure cancer immediately or directly, but in an extended, roundabout kind of way. Smitowicz exposes and inspires malice towards Monsanto, the chemical-manufacturing supergiant responsible for a range of chemical products, from RoundUp (the famed plant-killer) to Agent Orange (the infamed foliage destroyer and cancer/birth defect-inducer).
Thus this book cures cancer, in a round(up)about kind of way. Not an opiate of the masses, more like a chemotherapy of the masses.
However the scope of this book moves far past the simple goal of defaming the evil Monsanto. Smitowicz's elevated narration and noble ideals clash interestingly with the voices of the low-brow down-and-outs of the eclectic Cold War/post-Vietnam era American society. The protagonist, a wheel-chair bound Vietnam vet Mac, takes us on cross-country trip through America's shady underground, exposing corruption and the decline of moral America, one step (figuratively speaking) at a time.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews