The Red Truck

by Rudy Wilson

Presents the author's colorful and eerie first novel.

Genres: Fiction

178 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 1987

Reviews

[Julian Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

man, what a book. so deeply strange. some of the best depictions of like heady ‘spiritual interiority’ shit as well as romantic intimacy that i’ve ever read. real tears at that ending. the last third or so is just unreal

[Caulen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the strangest novel I've read in a long time. It barely makes sense to me after one reading... it's like a drugged dream told by someone who sees the world through such a detached/lost lens... and constantly searching (for Jesus?). I've read that this book was really edited down by Gordon Lish - I'm almost afraid to know what else was in it. The only thing I can compare this to is a Thomas Ligotti story (though this isn't horror): the lonely separation from the world/surroundings; very little description -- though Rudy Wilson writes in a more poetic/experimental manner than Ligotti.

I guess I also would compare it to Pedro Paramo in that the presence of a spirit - in this case the brother of the main narrator who died in a childhood accident - plays a major role in the book. Billy-Billy Jump (the main narrator/character) creates a character (Tedianne) in his head and they grow apart, occasionally via narration shifts.

Definitely need to read this again... it's one of those rare books that will always stay with me though. Deeply disturbing in a subtle way.

[Eamon Loingsigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a time when so many authors concern themselves with respectability, Wilson opens his soul and tells you how he really feels. Of course too many people see this as weakness which, for me, underscores a bigger problem in the industry. If honesty and clarity of feeling is not appreciated now, the Gods will certainly look on him as a writer to be considered for many generations, unlike so many short-sighted authors vying for university appointments to lighten their financial and emotional burdens.

Eamon Loingsigh

[PaperBird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did a review of this book here: https://youtu.be/UKSVa8VO-g8

[Nicholas Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's all very simple. Rudy Wilson is a genius. The Red Truck is a masterpiece.

[Ryan Diederich · Rating 5 out of 5]

RIYL Gummo

As much as I appreciate getting to hold a book so special, it’s a shame that C4G has issues with their typesetting. Random tabs spoil a lot of the words, there’s spaces missing after periods, there’s missing quotation marks. For some reason the song Corina Corina is misspelled Gorina. Similar issues were present in David Ryan’s Alligator (the best story in the collection had exponent 1s in place of apostrophes?). What a spell — they’ve released two of my favorite books this year and spoiled it. Oh well, all the more attention to the reading.

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at about halfway through. What the heck!?! This book is totally bizarre. I couldn't take any more.

[Bobby Vanecko]

I knew we were all in the same sea

[Jim Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without question a masterpiece, but probably the most unsettling novel I have ever read.

[Jack Bullion · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last 20-30 pages of this are some of the most ecstatic writing I've ever come across.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As disturbing, and as brilliant, as anything by Cormac McCarthy or Steinbeck. Like all literary geniuses, Rudy Wilson won't be properly appreciated until long after he's left this life. Then his work will be required reading.

[in8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://5cense.com/delish_trop_goth.htm

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

this can be a difficult read, but worth it. the moments that tug at your guts latch on for much longer than the time it takes to finish the book. i could go on, but maybe you should just read it.

[Rachel d. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so strange.. i had to read, and keep going. i have no justification.

[Davis Stamford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. I liked it a lot. Full of powerful emotions and no googoo trickery.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best.