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Still Life With June
A disaffected writer gets caught in the morass of complicated human relationships when he appropriates the life of a former patient and befriends his mentally challenged sister.
The people in gay bars on Christmas Day are so desperate for basic human contact that they'd go home with a Doc Marten shoe if it made a move, and maybe even if it didn't.
So begins the story of Cameron Dodds, a disenfranchised writer who visits gay bars on Christmas and works at a Salvation Army Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in order to steal the stories of the people he meets there. But when Cameron finds a patient hanged in the utilities closet, his infatuation with other people's stories becomes an obsession. Assuming the man's identity, Cameron seeks out and forges a relationship with the victim's mentally challenged sister, who lives in a home uptown. As Cameron becomes more involved in the woman's life, he begins to discover truths that will challenge him to the very core of his existence.
The people in gay bars on Christmas Day are so desperate for basic human contact that they'd go home with a Doc Marten shoe if it made a move, and maybe even if it didn't.
So begins the story of Cameron Dodds, a disenfranchised writer who visits gay bars on Christmas and works at a Salvation Army Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in order to steal the stories of the people he meets there. But when Cameron finds a patient hanged in the utilities closet, his infatuation with other people's stories becomes an obsession. Assuming the man's identity, Cameron seeks out and forges a relationship with the victim's mentally challenged sister, who lives in a home uptown. As Cameron becomes more involved in the woman's life, he begins to discover truths that will challenge him to the very core of his existence.
336 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1998
3 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Darren Greer
9 books26 followersDarren Greer is the author of five novels and a book of essays. His novel Still Life With June was the winner of the 2004 Relit Award in Canada, a top three finalist for the Ferro-Grumley award in Manhattan, and was nominated for the Pearson Canada Readers’ Choice Award.
His novel, Just Beneath My Skin, was short-listed for the Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award, the 2015 ReLit award, and won the 2015 Thomas H Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award. His novel Advocate was short-listed for the 2017 Thomas H. Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, the 2017 Ferro-Grumley Award and won the Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award. His latest novel Outcast was released October 1st, 2018.
His novel, Just Beneath My Skin, was short-listed for the Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award, the 2015 ReLit award, and won the 2015 Thomas H Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award. His novel Advocate was short-listed for the 2017 Thomas H. Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, the 2017 Ferro-Grumley Award and won the Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award. His latest novel Outcast was released October 1st, 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 19, 2009
This is an engrossing read, revolving around themes of identity, sexuality, and betrayal. The narrator, a short-story writer who spends christmas eve in gay bars seeking maudlin stories, is a self-identified loser. His bitter tone creates the novel's charm. While the shifts in character and identity might be likened to a shakespearean farce, this work is gritty and streetwise. The sometimes caustic narrative tone hides a sweet candor and unlikely nostalgia.
September 13, 2014
Some writers are great storytellers but mediocre writers, and others develop masterful characters who flounder through plotless stories. It's unusual to find a writer who gets all of these things - character, plot and writing - right. This book was an absolute pleasure to read.
August 8, 2008
Just finished, I still need to process it a little...
December 26, 2019
Takes 2/3 in to really get into the story. Keep reading, it is a great book!
September 17, 2011
Overall, it's an enjoyable read. The narrator's voice is modern, cynical, and full of unexpected opinions and observations. Chapters come short, jagged, and often with sharp transitions. It's a very strong style that you might either fully appreciate and devour, or view with utter disgust. As narrators go, this is an odd one. He insists that all writers are liars, and goes to lengths to explain why writers, himself included, are miserable and unadmirable creatures. His choice of spare time activities seem equally unusual- befriending ex-felons at the Salvation Army, sorting through his neighbor's garbage contents, and bonding with a dead man's sister, June, who has Downs Syndrome.
However much Cameron might appear on the surface to be just as much of a loser as he bills himself, he's far from unlikable. The care with which he treats June, although spotted with moments of intense frustration, shows a much kinder heart than he'd give himself credit for. And, amongst the gritty, hyper-real setting (which ultimately borders surreal, interestingly enough), there are plenty of heart warming moments when June's around.
Cameron's multiple references to writers being liars are perhaps a warning. As several plot twists intertwine, unwind, and start to parallel one another, you slowly become aware of the meaning of "unreliable narrator." Yet it never seems to be from ill intent, and it's hard to say how much is conscious deception. Also, it's important to note that despite the seeming complexity, it never feels heavy or bogged down by plot lines. It's something you could get through fairly quickly - though if you want to see the ending coming from closer than a million miles away, I wouldn't recommend it.
Really, there are many virtues to Still Life with June. The style, the original plot, the twists, the psychology, the strange, captivating, and flawed characters. So why only three stars?
Personal preference, mainly. I enjoyed all of the qualities just listed, but the near-constantly bitter and detached narrator began to wear on me. Sometimes the characters seemed almost too out of the ordinary to all populate one novel, and it wasn't clear if the surreality that began to encroach at those times was intentional or not. And really, it was too much a novel of personal discovery and very little action, which isn't my typical cup of tea.
My biggest problem with it is that I did find myself unsatisfied with the number of questions left unanswered by the end. This might not be a problem for some people, I know several who enjoy some freedom in imagining later resolutions themselves. But an awful lot of revelations were made, quite rapidly, and as exciting as those were, they occurred very near to the end. Little time was left to explore their full potential, and to some extent, I still find myself tripping over the logistics. Which, once again, is a bit personal. I like things to be a bit more linear, less distorted.
Still worth the read though, as it definitely gave me food for thought, and a few lines and scenes that will stick in my head a while.
However much Cameron might appear on the surface to be just as much of a loser as he bills himself, he's far from unlikable. The care with which he treats June, although spotted with moments of intense frustration, shows a much kinder heart than he'd give himself credit for. And, amongst the gritty, hyper-real setting (which ultimately borders surreal, interestingly enough), there are plenty of heart warming moments when June's around.
Cameron's multiple references to writers being liars are perhaps a warning. As several plot twists intertwine, unwind, and start to parallel one another, you slowly become aware of the meaning of "unreliable narrator." Yet it never seems to be from ill intent, and it's hard to say how much is conscious deception. Also, it's important to note that despite the seeming complexity, it never feels heavy or bogged down by plot lines. It's something you could get through fairly quickly - though if you want to see the ending coming from closer than a million miles away, I wouldn't recommend it.
Really, there are many virtues to Still Life with June. The style, the original plot, the twists, the psychology, the strange, captivating, and flawed characters. So why only three stars?
Personal preference, mainly. I enjoyed all of the qualities just listed, but the near-constantly bitter and detached narrator began to wear on me. Sometimes the characters seemed almost too out of the ordinary to all populate one novel, and it wasn't clear if the surreality that began to encroach at those times was intentional or not. And really, it was too much a novel of personal discovery and very little action, which isn't my typical cup of tea.
My biggest problem with it is that I did find myself unsatisfied with the number of questions left unanswered by the end. This might not be a problem for some people, I know several who enjoy some freedom in imagining later resolutions themselves. But an awful lot of revelations were made, quite rapidly, and as exciting as those were, they occurred very near to the end. Little time was left to explore their full potential, and to some extent, I still find myself tripping over the logistics. Which, once again, is a bit personal. I like things to be a bit more linear, less distorted.
Still worth the read though, as it definitely gave me food for thought, and a few lines and scenes that will stick in my head a while.
May 21, 2024
I can't wholly explain why this book worked so well for me. Complicated and unreliable narrator, complicated subject matter, morally questionable actions, all wrapped in intensely compelling writing that expressed enough of Cameron's inner dialogue without truly letting us in until the last 20 pages. I had just such a compelling read with this book! I found Cameron and I being in agreement about his loser status. He was high and mighty while having no sense of confidence or motivation for life outside of dissecting his past. I don't even know how to recommend this book, but I totally enjoyed this writer.
December 31, 2014
I love this book.
I usually don't expect much out of Canadian fiction - the novels I've read have pretty much taken place in the same area, with the same kind of plot, yadda-yadda - so it was a pleasant surprise to read this gem. The fact that I'm taking the time to write this review is enough, I think.
Cameron is a quirky, multi-layered character, one that is rarely seen in books these days. He's immoral, and yet he's caring. He can be a jerk, but he can also be a sweetheart. He's loyal, and yet he's self-serving. And yet, every single one of his actions is at least somewhat understandable.
The writing itself is quite good - most is in narrative form, but there are a few segments in and around Cameron's own writing that are beautifully scripted; there isn't too much that it takes away from the novel itself, but enough that you can tell Mr. Greer has talent.
There were parts (and will probably be as I continue this book) that are tear-jerkers, in a way that makes the reader angry at the world rather than despondent and depressed. But again, they add to the story, and made me love it even more.
As a writer, I was pleased that there were several tidbits of information that perhaps shine a harsh light on what it's like to write well and to get published after you feel that whatever you've churned out is something good. Some are rather hilariously delivered, I must say.
This review is obviously not the most coherent of reviews, but I think it conveys the gist of what's happening in my head. I don't come across novels like this one very often, and I'm so glad that my plane was late so that I'd have the time to pick this stunner off the shelves.
I usually don't expect much out of Canadian fiction - the novels I've read have pretty much taken place in the same area, with the same kind of plot, yadda-yadda - so it was a pleasant surprise to read this gem. The fact that I'm taking the time to write this review is enough, I think.
Cameron is a quirky, multi-layered character, one that is rarely seen in books these days. He's immoral, and yet he's caring. He can be a jerk, but he can also be a sweetheart. He's loyal, and yet he's self-serving. And yet, every single one of his actions is at least somewhat understandable.
The writing itself is quite good - most is in narrative form, but there are a few segments in and around Cameron's own writing that are beautifully scripted; there isn't too much that it takes away from the novel itself, but enough that you can tell Mr. Greer has talent.
There were parts (and will probably be as I continue this book) that are tear-jerkers, in a way that makes the reader angry at the world rather than despondent and depressed. But again, they add to the story, and made me love it even more.
As a writer, I was pleased that there were several tidbits of information that perhaps shine a harsh light on what it's like to write well and to get published after you feel that whatever you've churned out is something good. Some are rather hilariously delivered, I must say.
This review is obviously not the most coherent of reviews, but I think it conveys the gist of what's happening in my head. I don't come across novels like this one very often, and I'm so glad that my plane was late so that I'd have the time to pick this stunner off the shelves.
June 9, 2011
I think the general read of this book was okay. Simply, okay. It's one of those books that I probably could have gone without but since I read it, it's not a big deal; in fact, its a bonus. Since the beginning, before I cracked the spine I figured it to be a rather interesting idea. I writer, named Cameron, loves writing so much he takes people's stories and makes them his own. He gets so attached and addicted that he takes on the identity of a dead guy to get the story from his retarded sister.
You'd read that right!? Exactly.
While I was reading, one of the most common themes I came across was the main character's obsession it seemed like with who he called "losers." He told us that there were two types of losers. "Losers who know they are losers are slightly less of a loser than those who don't know it. There's noting worse than a loser who doesn't know he's a loser."
I'm not sure why he keeps bringing this idea up but he mentions it often in regards to other people who are usually the losers who don't know they are losers. Sometimes he refers to himself to but of course, he's slightly less loser because he knows it."Like Dawes and June Greene, Julie and I knew we were losers. There's nobility in that somewhere."
I think that the author was indirectly maybe trying to describe those type of characters to the readers as losers in his eyes. Or that he was simply conforming to who other people think are losers. But in the end, the book lost anyway so it doesn't matter who sucks or not. The End.
You'd read that right!? Exactly.
While I was reading, one of the most common themes I came across was the main character's obsession it seemed like with who he called "losers." He told us that there were two types of losers. "Losers who know they are losers are slightly less of a loser than those who don't know it. There's noting worse than a loser who doesn't know he's a loser."
I'm not sure why he keeps bringing this idea up but he mentions it often in regards to other people who are usually the losers who don't know they are losers. Sometimes he refers to himself to but of course, he's slightly less loser because he knows it."Like Dawes and June Greene, Julie and I knew we were losers. There's nobility in that somewhere."
I think that the author was indirectly maybe trying to describe those type of characters to the readers as losers in his eyes. Or that he was simply conforming to who other people think are losers. But in the end, the book lost anyway so it doesn't matter who sucks or not. The End.
March 13, 2011
Very pleased by how much I enjoyed this book. I read it because an online friend posted it as an entry in her "Canada Reads Indie" yearly contest. I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise and I'm sad it didn't get more press.
This book is told in short entries, from an unreliable narrator who lies copiously. As the book unfolds, he develops a strange friendship with a woman from his writing group, as well as a mentally challenged woman who lives in a centre. This book is not PC, the word "retarded" is used throughout, but it fits with the character who is not a PC or entirely likeable human.
There are several plot twists in this book. It's ultimately a story about lies and truth. I really liked it.
This book is told in short entries, from an unreliable narrator who lies copiously. As the book unfolds, he develops a strange friendship with a woman from his writing group, as well as a mentally challenged woman who lives in a centre. This book is not PC, the word "retarded" is used throughout, but it fits with the character who is not a PC or entirely likeable human.
There are several plot twists in this book. It's ultimately a story about lies and truth. I really liked it.
July 4, 2012
I had read Greer's first novel, Tyler's Cape, last month and enjoyed it. I enjoyed this one too. If I can use one word to describe it, it would be "bizarre".
It's funny, sad, sarcastic, ironic, sleazy, self-indulgent and more.
There are other lies and deceptions in addition to the one with Cameron pretending to be Darrel in order to steal his life to have writing material. BTW, how sleazy is that?!
I didn't see the ending coming ... it was quite a surprise. I can see why some reviewers have said they had to reread it to pick up what they missed.
I'd definitely recommend this book if you are looking for something different and not fluffy.
It's funny, sad, sarcastic, ironic, sleazy, self-indulgent and more.
There are other lies and deceptions in addition to the one with Cameron pretending to be Darrel in order to steal his life to have writing material. BTW, how sleazy is that?!
I didn't see the ending coming ... it was quite a surprise. I can see why some reviewers have said they had to reread it to pick up what they missed.
I'd definitely recommend this book if you are looking for something different and not fluffy.
September 19, 2007
I read this book pretty much in one night; I was staying at a the hotel, and I couldn't sleep, so I took this book to the lobby and read. It was really easy to get caught up in, and I actually didn't expect the story to twist at all. It would have been just as good of a read had it been a straight shooter, but it was really beautiful regardless. It was human. It was really screwed up and sweet and interesting.
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August 20, 2016This review was deleted following Amazon's purchase of GoodReads.
The review can still be viewed via LibraryThing, where my profile can be found here.
I'm also in the process of building a database at Booklikes, where I can be found here.
If you read/liked/clicked through to see this review here on GR, many thanks.
The review can still be viewed via LibraryThing, where my profile can be found here.
I'm also in the process of building a database at Booklikes, where I can be found here.
If you read/liked/clicked through to see this review here on GR, many thanks.
July 7, 2011
I enjoyed this book - it's different from what I usually read. It was a glimpse into a life that is foreign to me - drug rehab, writers, city, and gay life. However, it's also a novel of self discovery and what makes the book worthwhile is the ending. The ending is so good that as soon as I finished it, I wanted to reread it.
January 2, 2016
I was flipping through this at the library and read the passage "My cat, Juxtaposition, doesn't hate herself. If you hate yourself, you don't spend two hours each day grooming with no chance of ever getting laid." I laughed so hard that I just had to borrow it and read more. The rest of the novel did not disappoint. I laughed some more, I cried, I was horrified, and surprised. A great read.
January 11, 2008
There was a good dose of risk taking and edginess but I’m not entirely sure the author resolved things enough, delved deep enough, found enough honesty there, to counteract all the ways that the treatment of the characters (particularly the one with Downs Syndrome) didn’t always ring true.
December 6, 2007
Diary styled writing that does not suit the theme - egocentric central character meets ill-bred ideals producing the uninteresting ramblings of a banal protagonist.
July 29, 2009
Good until the ending got stupid.
July 23, 2010
Here was a great surprise -- great writing, tricky plot line, and lots of irony. I will use this book for my lesbian/gay literature class, especially since First Person Plural is out of print.
October 17, 2014
Good read with an interesting twist at the end.
January 14, 2009
An interesting read, although nothing astounding.
Want to read
January 3, 2011Reading for Canada Reads Independently 2011 at Pickle Me This
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews