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A Cage for the Wind
Jerry is a writer, a box-truck driver, a desk-jockey, sometimes a murderer, but more often than not, he's a liar, and no one in his circle of associates, acquaintances, or lovers can ever be sure when, and more importantly, if he's telling the truth. But over the course of the next few days (or weeks, or months, or years, who can really be sure?) he will go on a journey, maybe, of self-discovery riddled with mind-transporting drugs, childhood-rooted romances, and ancestral malarkey. Or, maybe he's returning home from a journey he can't remember anything of. The only thing he can be sure of, is that he's not sure if he's leaving to or returning from, or if he's even gone away in the first place.
In this story, Jerry's life is told from three points of view of gradually-intensifying insanity. His melodramatic world is seen through his own eyes, narrated in the nameless voice of another, and finally, through anecdotal poems which serve as thoughts, musings, reflections, and more.
So come along, hop on board, join Jerry in his quest for... whatever. Maybe you can make sense of the mess, if, of course, there is any sense to be found at all.
In this story, Jerry's life is told from three points of view of gradually-intensifying insanity. His melodramatic world is seen through his own eyes, narrated in the nameless voice of another, and finally, through anecdotal poems which serve as thoughts, musings, reflections, and more.
So come along, hop on board, join Jerry in his quest for... whatever. Maybe you can make sense of the mess, if, of course, there is any sense to be found at all.
152 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2021
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 20, 2021
To be fair, the reader has been warned that they will be "helplessly lost in an abyss of muddied and bitter confusion". Jerry is one of the brave ones. He is brave for letting the reader see into his messy mind. He is brave for not attempting to hide the darkness inside him. He is brave for being exactly who he is, weird and disturbed as he may be. Perhaps the world would be a better place if everyone let others see them in their full glory.
Jerry has worn many hats and many masks. He has been the charming diner. He has been the office worker who does not conform or fit in. He has been the ‘jilted’ lover. He has been the unassuming courier enjoying the company of jazz on the lonely road. He has been the man who creates a marriage then goes home to a cat at the end of the day. Through his many faces, he has always been a writer and a murderer. This is the story of Jerry and all his different selves. It is the story of a man who has been through a lot, done a lot, and most of all, gotten away with a lot. Is it his upbringing? Is it his inborn nature?
When a book starts off with an oedipal confession then you know it is going to be a treat. In that moment, you know that Jerry is not going to be an ordinary person. Rarely do people come back from watching the mounds of their mother’s breasts peek out of the bathwater as she cries about something she never talks about.
Even when he does or says something particularly disturbing, Jerry is almost likable. Maybe it is because of the pity he inspires. He has a way of manipulating the reader into rooting for him despite his actions and character. He does nothing to be liked but somehow, he is. The writer does not describe him but a reader will know him. Jerry is the alter ego we all hide from the world and only allow him out in dark empty rooms. The crass narration of events is funny and abhorrent in equal measure.
The book ends just like it begins; in confusion. The writer often misspells the name 'Agnes'. While it does not happen often, it causes a measure of distraction on the pages it does happen. Considering the type of writing in this book, any other errors will go unnoticed as Jerry keeps the reader gripped and their eyes stuck on the pages.
Ever gone by a gruesome accident with brain matter sprawled on the ground and limbs bent unnaturally as screams of agony fill the air? Ever found yourself staring, almost savoring the smell of hot blood and listening to the lull of fading pulses? That is what this book is. It is a hot but intriguing mess. A Cage for the Wind is daring. It is messy. It is the book you whisper about to everyone. Dave Matthes has executed a beautiful literary tangled web.
Jerry has worn many hats and many masks. He has been the charming diner. He has been the office worker who does not conform or fit in. He has been the ‘jilted’ lover. He has been the unassuming courier enjoying the company of jazz on the lonely road. He has been the man who creates a marriage then goes home to a cat at the end of the day. Through his many faces, he has always been a writer and a murderer. This is the story of Jerry and all his different selves. It is the story of a man who has been through a lot, done a lot, and most of all, gotten away with a lot. Is it his upbringing? Is it his inborn nature?
When a book starts off with an oedipal confession then you know it is going to be a treat. In that moment, you know that Jerry is not going to be an ordinary person. Rarely do people come back from watching the mounds of their mother’s breasts peek out of the bathwater as she cries about something she never talks about.
Even when he does or says something particularly disturbing, Jerry is almost likable. Maybe it is because of the pity he inspires. He has a way of manipulating the reader into rooting for him despite his actions and character. He does nothing to be liked but somehow, he is. The writer does not describe him but a reader will know him. Jerry is the alter ego we all hide from the world and only allow him out in dark empty rooms. The crass narration of events is funny and abhorrent in equal measure.
The book ends just like it begins; in confusion. The writer often misspells the name 'Agnes'. While it does not happen often, it causes a measure of distraction on the pages it does happen. Considering the type of writing in this book, any other errors will go unnoticed as Jerry keeps the reader gripped and their eyes stuck on the pages.
Ever gone by a gruesome accident with brain matter sprawled on the ground and limbs bent unnaturally as screams of agony fill the air? Ever found yourself staring, almost savoring the smell of hot blood and listening to the lull of fading pulses? That is what this book is. It is a hot but intriguing mess. A Cage for the Wind is daring. It is messy. It is the book you whisper about to everyone. Dave Matthes has executed a beautiful literary tangled web.
October 23, 2021
I read this on my Kindle. This is an unsolicited review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a collection of poetry and story told in prose. It is unique and well-written. Jerry's decline into insanity is a ride which I will surely take again in the future. Sometimes it felt as if it was all a metaphor of the mind of a writer, the lengths one is willing to go and sometimes it assuredly was a madman, not a metaphor, we were reading about. Either way... wow. I loved this.
The length, for me, was perfect. I also liked how the author wrote in three styles (and three fonts!) It was so very well done, I found myself jealous that I had not written this book myself. Nothing felt extraneous or truncated. No. It was just about perfect. (Though I was sad even the cat left him at the end there... it was completely understandable and within reason.)
I can't really describe what exactly it was about the book as a whole that so appealed to me, and yet it did. I tore through it to the point I forced myself to set it down about 70% of the way through just so I could digest and come at the final bit with a clear mind, so swept away I was.
To date, everything I've read from Dave is excellent. Not that I've read a lot of his work, as he has quite a collection of books under his belt, but I've read enough to know he's a high-caliber writer who is able to put out entertaining, dark yet approachable work every time. My one and only gripe was there were a number of misspellings throughout the book. Not a ridiculous amount, but enough to warrant the loss of 1/4 star because of it. That said, I love the cover, the story, the presentation, the length, the uniqueness, the quality... and so this gets 4.75/5 stars from me.
Highly recommend to those who like uncategorized free form poetry/prose, those who like writing which will probably mention drinking whiskey alongside casual murder followed by overt sexual references all within a few lines (without being disgusting or crass), and readers who are willing to delve into experimental (with great results) writing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a collection of poetry and story told in prose. It is unique and well-written. Jerry's decline into insanity is a ride which I will surely take again in the future. Sometimes it felt as if it was all a metaphor of the mind of a writer, the lengths one is willing to go and sometimes it assuredly was a madman, not a metaphor, we were reading about. Either way... wow. I loved this.
The length, for me, was perfect. I also liked how the author wrote in three styles (and three fonts!) It was so very well done, I found myself jealous that I had not written this book myself. Nothing felt extraneous or truncated. No. It was just about perfect. (Though I was sad even the cat left him at the end there... it was completely understandable and within reason.)
I can't really describe what exactly it was about the book as a whole that so appealed to me, and yet it did. I tore through it to the point I forced myself to set it down about 70% of the way through just so I could digest and come at the final bit with a clear mind, so swept away I was.
To date, everything I've read from Dave is excellent. Not that I've read a lot of his work, as he has quite a collection of books under his belt, but I've read enough to know he's a high-caliber writer who is able to put out entertaining, dark yet approachable work every time. My one and only gripe was there were a number of misspellings throughout the book. Not a ridiculous amount, but enough to warrant the loss of 1/4 star because of it. That said, I love the cover, the story, the presentation, the length, the uniqueness, the quality... and so this gets 4.75/5 stars from me.
Highly recommend to those who like uncategorized free form poetry/prose, those who like writing which will probably mention drinking whiskey alongside casual murder followed by overt sexual references all within a few lines (without being disgusting or crass), and readers who are willing to delve into experimental (with great results) writing.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews