Angels - by Denis Johnson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A terrifying book, a mixture of poetry and obscenity. . . [the characters] are people who can't be ignored. Mr. Johnson has written a dazzling and savage first novel."--Alice Hoffman, New York Times Book Review

The most critically acclaimed, and first, of Denis Johnson's novels, Angels puts Jamie Mays--a runaway wife toting along two kids--and Bill Houston--ex-Navy man, ex-husband, ex-con--on a Greyhound Bus for a dark, wild ride cross country. Driven by restless souls, bad booze, and desperate needs, Jamie and Bill bounce from bus stations to cheap hotels as they ply the strange, fascinating, and dangerous fringe of American life. Their tickets may say Phoenix, but their inescapable destination is a last stop marked by stunning violence and mind-shattering surprise.

Denis Johnson, known for his portraits of America's dispossessed, sets off literary pyrotechnics on this highway odyssey, lighting the trek with wit and a personal metaphysics that defiantly takes on the world.

From the Back Cover

The most critically acclaimed, and first, of Denis Johnson's novels, Angels puts Jamie Mays -- a runaway wife toting along two kids -- and Bill Houston -- ex-Navy man, ex-husband, ex-con -- on a Greyhound Bus for a dark, wild ride cross country. Driven by restless souls, bad booze, and desperate needs, Jamie and Bill bounce from bus stations to cheap hotels as they ply the strange, fascinating, and dangerous fringe of American life. Their tickets may say Phoenix, but their inescapable destination is a last stop marked by stunning violence and mind-shattering surprise.

Denis Johnson, known for his portraits of America's dispossessed, sets off literary pyrotechnics on this highway odyssey, lighting the trek with wit and a personal metaphysics that defiantly takes on the world.

Review Quotes

"[This] is the story of people who slip helplessly into their own worst nightmares. . . . 'Angels' is a terrifying book, a mixture of poetry and obscenity ... whether the characters are conversing with a dark angelor ordering a platter of french fries, they are people who can't be ignored.Mr. Johnson has written a dazzling and savage first novel." -- Alice Hoffman, New York Times Book Review

"Acute, muscular, and quite relentless, Johnson, who is already a recognized poet, is about to write a major novel.... In this book there is the metaphysical bite, the eye for terrible detail, the grasp of character." -- John Clute, Times Literary Supplement

"A beautiful book." -- Peter S. Prescott, Newsweek