Ablutions - Softcover

DeWitt, Patrick

3.65

5,455 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847080952 ISBN 13: 9781847080950

Publisher: Granta Books, 2009

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A nameless barman tends a decaying bar in Hollywood and takes notes for a book about his clientele. Initially, he is morbidly amused by watching the regulars roll in and fall into their nightly oblivion, pitying them and their loneliness. In hopes of uncovering their secrets and motives, he establishes tentative friendships with them. He also knocks back pills indiscriminately and treats himself to gallons of Jameson's. But as his tenure at the bar continues, he begins to lose himself, trapped by addiction and indecision. When his wife leaves him, he embarks on a series of squalidly random sexual encounters, and a downward spiral of self-damage and irrational violence. To cleanse himself and save his soul, he attempts to escape.

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Review:

'An astonishingly original and blackly comic debut novel' - Big Issue
-- Review

'An intense and carefully sustained piece of writing about the blurry edges of existence, shot though with remarkable lucidity' - Guardian -- Review

'DeWitt's hilariously gloomy tale is a sober reminder to stick to the diet tonic water' - Independent -- Review

'His character descriptions are brilliant ... Ablutions has achieved something remarkable - New York Times -- Review

`DeWitt conjures up moments of both painful humour and tender beauty'- Financial Times -- Review

Review:

'DeWitt's hilariously gloomy tale is a sober reminder to stick to the diet tonic water' - Independent

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