Bump: A Novel

by Diana Wagman

“Set in L.A., Diana Wagman’s Bump begins (appropriately enough, in that car-carpeted town) with a fender bender. Gradually, the story metamorphoses (more appropriately still, in that city of dreams become film) into a fairy tale. This remarkable journey from a commuter’s daily life to a zone of romantic enchantment is marked by keen sociological observations and flashing moments of humor.” —Brad Leithauser, author of A Few Corrections: A Novel

From an award-winning writer, this is a darkly funny, cinematic page-turner that explores the line between obsession and love. Bump is the story of a trio of motorists and one policeman linked together by a tangled, life-altering web of coincidence in the immediate aftermath of a three-car pileup in Los Angeles. Dorothy is to be married in less than 24 hours but can’t shake the memory of her ex-boyfriend. Madelyn is a married mother of two who falls in love with a double-amputee she met through a suicide hotline. Leo is a golden-eyed Latino who speaks no Spanish and has come to L.A. to reclaim his girlfriend. Ray is a suicide-obsessed Beverly Hills cop whose wife has just left him. Diana Wagman’s fast-paced and vividly cinematic narrative presents an engrossing tableau of synchronicity steered by obsession and alienation. Beautifully written and deeply affecting, Bump is hard to put down, and hard to forget. “Diana Wagman is wicked fun, and…Bump shows off her talents to a T. Witty, perceptive and compulsively readable.” —Janet Fitch, author of White Oleander

“Wagman’s crisp and lively prose makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read: the pages flew by.” —Aimee Bender, author of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and The Color Master: Stories

“Darkly funny and compelling…Bump belts the reader in for a trippy Carveresque adventure.” —East Bay Express

“[Diana Wagman's] minidramas recall Ann Beattie’s or Lorrie Moore’s clarity.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“…[D]espite the relentlessly dark subject matter, Wagman’s writing has a hypnotic, rhythmic quality that keeps the reader interested till the end.” —Kathleen Hughes, Booklist

Genres: Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1997

About the author

Diana Wagman is the author of five novels. Her second, Spontaneous, won the 2001 PEN West Award for Fiction. Her latest is Life #6 from Ig Publishing. She is an occasional contributor to the Los Angeles Times and has been published in many literary journals, most recently Black Clock and the n+1 anthology, MFA vs NYC.

Reviews

[Mollysusie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh... What says the most about how I feel about this book is that I lost it sometime during the middle of reading it, and it took me awhile to try to find it again. The story never really clicked with me, perhaps because my reading it was spread out over several months. There was too much of people just kinda running around, looking for other people, finding them, leaving them, then running around looking for them again. All with suicidal tendiencies. I found it anxiety-inducing and depressing, which would be fine if the story was better.

It was alright. I liked Jenny the best.

[Robin Malcomson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Think Pulp Fiction. Quentin Tarantino. Independent film. Odd and Dark.

This book wasn't quite my thing....but I can see why a lot of people might like it. It reads like a movie. It is the story of three people who's cars collide in an accident, plus the policeman on the scene. It is not about their relationship....it is about their individual lives over the next 36 hours. Weird, Dark, Raw.

[Audrie Bouwmeester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkably detailed story! Nothing is missing - all the pieces are there. Wagman captures your imagination, forces you to believe that suicide might be an option then firmly rejects it in its end. The skill of this writer makes this novel a must read. I found myself reading almost in physical discomfort with the subject matter, but I praise the talent of this writer - she writes with control.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

After an automobile accident the author follows the lives of the people involved (spoiler alert) until a 2nd automobile accident changes everything. This was quite acharacter study, however I really didn't like any of the people except the Suicide Cop.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dark book. Not sure how I learned about it. It was a little hard to get into. I finished it, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. It all starts with an automobile accident and follows the lives of those involved. Not to give too much away, but in the end they all converge.

[James Sie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Diana Wagman novel, and the one where I fell in love with her dark dark humor and sensibility. It's Los Angeles, but a City of No Angels. Strange, haunting characters, desperate situations we can all relate to, and much much more. Love it.

[Rossana Snee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was generally pretty good. It kept me reading. It also made me think about how much our lives are interconnected and how one event can affect so many people in different ways. The ending felt a little rushed, but overall the book was good.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting cast of characters and how their lives unravel and come together after a car accident in L.A.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, solid writing. I look forward to reading more Wagman.

[Annetraeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Says so much about human nature and fate. It is a MUST READ!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in several days - couldn't put it down. You get so into the characters' lives that you want to know what will happen with them next.

[michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little dark... actually extremely dark... but totally worth reading.

[Emily Rosenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

TIght, intelligent prose

[Marianne McKiernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange, likable in the way one likes Quentin Tarantino and Cohen Brothers movies. Interesting. Odd. A little creepy. Parts will stay with me for a long time.

[Robanne Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read and subject matter. I liked how all the characters were connected but felt it ended without good resolutions.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do authors come up with their themes. This one was definitely not a happy one. Yet strangely a good read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dark humourous novel about four people connected to a car accident. The policeman collects suicide notes; no comment required on this! This book became the movie 'Crash' which I did not find funny.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book - the twists and turns were great.

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read, but too dark for me.