Bunkie Spills

by Bradley K. Rosen

Bunkie Spills is a novel about two momentous days in the life of a tribe of suburban LA teenagers set in 1976. Bunkie, whose view of the world is as charming and skewed as the malapropisms that come out of his seventeen-year-old mouth, begins the tale with a girl and a rock concert. Things start to fall apart for him and his high school sweetheart, Evelyn, when Bunkie realizes there's something more than friendship going on between her and Big Pete, the oldest member of their tribe. Then the entire tribe does heroin for the first time, thus beginning Bunkie's quest to listen to his broken heart over the long night that unfolds. Bunkie maintains his essential honesty and innocence through two days filled with illicit drugs, sex and violence, and celebrates his dawning understanding of the failings of youth, the fight of good over evil, peace on earth, and the clashes that exist between humans and nature.

274 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Dianah (onourpath) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bunkie Spills begins as a drug-fueled romp: Bunkie, Wayne, Angelina, Big Pete and Evelyn -- the tribe -- are in search of... well, something. After an alcohol and drug infused day, Bunkie, Wayne and Angelina steal Big Pete's VW van, and are off for an adventure. They find it: a party, a lemon grove, a policeman -- or two, -- and a fight -- or two. Chaos reigns.

But somewhere along the line, Bunkie blooms into more than an alcohol and drug hazed caricature. Digging deeply, Bunkie begins to realize what really matters to him. Facing that crucial point when his young life is about to change drastically, Bunkie has much to say that is both insightful and devastating, but hopeful and resolute, as well. Enjoy getting to know Bunkie; you'll be hard pressed to find another such quirky character.

[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

The malapropisms get a little forced - hell start a little forced - but it's a good enough dazed and confused style coming-of-age-in-the-70s style book. Kids get drunk and high and treat each other like shit and there's not a single decent human being in the lot, because everyone's a dumb-as-rocks teenager from California's central valley, where the Worst People are born.

If more of these are what we're in for as Gen X starts to get old and wonder what happened to the kids they were, could be a lot worse. Never seen one where they act like they were each and every one a special little Jesus for getting drunk, high, fucking, going to college, listening to mainstream pop music dabbling in racial justice after King and the Freedom riders had done all the dying, and throwing a collective tantrum about maybe having to go fight in a war that the poor kids had already been dying in for a decade, i.e. the whole insufferable boomer-youth-industrial complex.

[Adam Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradley K. Rosen's first novel, Bunkie Spills, is so funny, you might not get at first just how sly of a novelist Mr. Rosen is. Because what Brad is able to do is make us laugh, because there is so much funny in here, in the way he says certain words wrong, how certain ideas just jump out at you as you read this, but one thing you might not see coming is how he takes in the whole essence of being young and being alive. The reason why people do what they do. It's a difficult, messed up world, and in a way it's always been that way. But Brad moves beyond young hedonists doing hedonism, and at the end of this one night of a novel, we feel as changed as Bunkie, aka, Emmit, the narrator feels. It's the most essential book about growing up and making mistakes I have ever read.

[Streator Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Disclaimer, the author is an acquaintance of mine] I REALLY enjoyed this first effort by Bradley. Sort of a boy coming of age book, but not really. The confusion exhibited by the narrating character is endearing, the drug use massive and the relationships rather tortured. However, it all works. Nicely, actually and its FUNNY. At least to my somewhat unique sense of humor. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for sort of a Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas with teenagers set about 20 years or so ago.

[Stacey Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried... I love this book! Bradley K Rosen has a unique voice that you will love. I think most anyone can relate to the struggles that Bunkie goes through on one level or another, even if you did not grow up in the 70's. When I was done reading this adventure of Bunkie, I wanted more Bunkie adventures and I know I am not the only one! I am hoping Bradley K Rosen has more Bunkie adventures coming soon!!

[Glenn A. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was loaned to me by a friend since the author is in the band we both play in. The storyline is very engaging, and I found myself enjoying it quite a bit. It does contain graphic scenes and coarse language, so be prepared for that. The narrator uses an interesting technique of using colloquial language throughout, which took me a little bit of time to get used to. The characters in a lot seemed very realistic, and certainly kept me reading on to see what happened next.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very creative writing and a fantastic artful use of language. The ending of the book really tied the whole story together, leaving me thinking about my own coming of age, and my first love. A fun read, was great for summer, but the writing had its own soul that reached out and wrapped its arms around me. I hope to see more from this wonderful author. Great job Brad!

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bunkie is one of those characters who wedges himself deep in your heart—a character so raw, so true, feeling his way through a haze of drugs, violence, and—most confusing of all—love. Followers of Kesey's Merry Pranksters, and fans of the unfiltered, spontaneous prose of Kerouac, you'll appreciate this book.

[Quinn Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The language was much different than what I’m used and it helped to broaden my perspective in terms of books I like. The characters and fun, funny, and very real. Overall it was a good, quick moving story.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun little read.

[Gini Chin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild ride! I couldn't put this book down. The protagonist's voice is spot-on — hilarious and touching at the same time. Highly recommend it.