Review by Smdearth -- A Second, Less Capable Head
-
Smdearth
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 02 Sep 2018, 09:48
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 3
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-smdearth.html
- Latest Review: A Second, Less Capable Head by James Hanna
Review by Smdearth -- A Second, Less Capable Head
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Second, Less Capable Head" by James Hanna.]
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Are two heads better than one? We’re not quite sure, but after reading James Hanna’s latest collected stories, we are certain the second head will, at bare minimum, lead to a sh*t ton of profanity.
A Second, Less Capable, Head is a collection of 19 stories that finds Hanna farming the bizarre and perverse, albeit in fun, guilty, and occasionally way too racist fashion. Think warped David Sedaris. (Hanna warns the book is not for the easily offended - an assessment most readers would find accurate.)
The first of his 19 stories immerses you in the life of Virgil, a vulgar, unsavory character who develops Second Headitis (deservingly so, in this reader’s opinion). Hanna somehow manages to garner sympathy for Virgil despite his transparent awfulness.
Virgil tends to be the rule rather than exception throughout the stories. You find your heartstrings pulled for uncommon characters that range from a dazzling six-inch tall, haughty alien to a mute intruder that enjoys toast in an ex-cop’s apartment. Hanna manages to create situations that seems normal until they’re not.
Each tale is like unwrapping a white elephant gift— you’re always surprised at what you discover and it’s often mildly disturbing. Underscoring his affinity for the shadowy and sardonic is Exposed, the third tale of the book.
Hanna starts the journey by elegantly describing his character as a tall sheepish gentleman with gentle eyes that considers himself a ‘street performer’. Immediately the reader is put at ease, it feels as though Hanna is describing your quirky grandfather that pretends a quarter has been stuck behind your ear for years. Describing his street performance, the gentleman muses:
“But it is nobler to touch a few profoundly than to court the vulgarities of the masses.”
Beautiful, eh? I actually stopped reading, grabbed a pen, jotted this sentence down and promptly had an existential crisis — until, that is, the magnificent twistedness of the next sentence.
“And with this charitable philosophy, the good man plied his trade, exposing himself to just one or two spectators before making a discreet exit.”
Read that sentence again. I, as the reader, was left stumped for a moment trying to comprehend what I had just read (NOT a spoiler, I swear).
Hanna lightly sprinkles such revelations throughout his tales like a perfectly seasoned stew, being careful not to get too salty with the bawdiness of it all. It’s a credit to author that the gratuitousness does not take away from the enjoyment of the read. Being such, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I look forward to reading more sh*t like this from Hanna in the future.
******
A Second, Less Capable Head
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Smdearth's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Are two heads better than one? We’re not quite sure, but after reading James Hanna’s latest collected stories, we are certain the second head will, at bare minimum, lead to a sh*t ton of profanity.
A Second, Less Capable, Head is a collection of 19 stories that finds Hanna farming the bizarre and perverse, albeit in fun, guilty, and occasionally way too racist fashion. Think warped David Sedaris. (Hanna warns the book is not for the easily offended - an assessment most readers would find accurate.)
The first of his 19 stories immerses you in the life of Virgil, a vulgar, unsavory character who develops Second Headitis (deservingly so, in this reader’s opinion). Hanna somehow manages to garner sympathy for Virgil despite his transparent awfulness.
Virgil tends to be the rule rather than exception throughout the stories. You find your heartstrings pulled for uncommon characters that range from a dazzling six-inch tall, haughty alien to a mute intruder that enjoys toast in an ex-cop’s apartment. Hanna manages to create situations that seems normal until they’re not.
Each tale is like unwrapping a white elephant gift— you’re always surprised at what you discover and it’s often mildly disturbing. Underscoring his affinity for the shadowy and sardonic is Exposed, the third tale of the book.
Hanna starts the journey by elegantly describing his character as a tall sheepish gentleman with gentle eyes that considers himself a ‘street performer’. Immediately the reader is put at ease, it feels as though Hanna is describing your quirky grandfather that pretends a quarter has been stuck behind your ear for years. Describing his street performance, the gentleman muses:
“But it is nobler to touch a few profoundly than to court the vulgarities of the masses.”
Beautiful, eh? I actually stopped reading, grabbed a pen, jotted this sentence down and promptly had an existential crisis — until, that is, the magnificent twistedness of the next sentence.
“And with this charitable philosophy, the good man plied his trade, exposing himself to just one or two spectators before making a discreet exit.”
Read that sentence again. I, as the reader, was left stumped for a moment trying to comprehend what I had just read (NOT a spoiler, I swear).
Hanna lightly sprinkles such revelations throughout his tales like a perfectly seasoned stew, being careful not to get too salty with the bawdiness of it all. It’s a credit to author that the gratuitousness does not take away from the enjoyment of the read. Being such, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I look forward to reading more sh*t like this from Hanna in the future.
******
A Second, Less Capable Head
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Smdearth's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: A Second, Less Capable Head by James Hanna
