Old Joy

by Jonathan Raymond, Justine Kurland

In this meditation on cosmic themes of purification and desire, writer Jonathan Raymond describes a hike by two old friends to remote hot springs in the foothills of the Cascade mountain range. As the hours progress, and the landscape evolves, and Kurt and Mark enact a pilgrimage of consciousness replete with mystical insights, wonderment, and intimations of subtle spiritual battle. Which path is the truly enlightened? What perception is the truly devout? How does one live in a fallen world? Coupled with recent work by Justine Kurland--sumptuous color photographs of burned forests, bearded men and naked visionaries in wilderness tableaux-- Old Joy 's story of sacrificial transcendence spirals toward an inevitable, violent consummation.

Genres: Photography, Short Stories

72 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2004

Reviews

[Austin Bunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quiet and perceptive short-story, accompanied with photos of pale Oregonians without their clothes on. Some very long penises in there. The film did the story justice, maybe even more so. Raymond's story ends on a suspension that the film resolves, usefully. Never been to Portland. Made we want to go!

[Michael Guillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little over a month ago, I watched Kelly Reichardt's movie of the same name that was based on Raymond's short story. Apparently she called him looking for text, and then they co-wrote the screenplay together.

The movie sat oddly with me, and I didn't really know how to take it. I definitely felt things, but they didn't immediately feel good.

Reading this origin story helped to contextualize the experience. You get to hear more of what one character is feeling and thinking, and it confirms what's left to interpretation on screen. Raymond delicately and gracefully explores how fucking weird and sad and disjointed straight(?) male relationships can be. Why are men like this? Why are men?

Already being familiar with the story from the movie, which is more or less identical, the book was a more comforting experience. It felt like taking a Sunday walk through nature, full of deep breaths and quiet and getting lost in fading and old thoughts. The old joy = sorrow connection was devastating and beautiful and real. The hot springs tub moment is sickly and violently interesting and heartbreaking.

The photographs are also wonderful.

I would love to read more Raymond. I think I liked Kelly's film more than I originally thought. Sometimes people like to be like, hur dur men big dumb men, but this shows that there's lots of pain and thoughts and reservations and more swirling right underneath the surface.

A perfect read for the Sunday scaries.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the movie a lot too.

[Liam Dwyer]

A really excellent short story strengthened by the inclusion of Kurland’s primal photography. The emotional tone of Kelly Reichardt’s movie adaptation is mellower, having it in writing allows for some stronger highs and lows.