Song of the Silent Snow

Rating:
Summary: great at times
Review: Hubert Selby certainly has a mania for the name Harry. In at least three of his novels, one of the main characters is named Harry. In "Last Exit in Brooklyn", there is also a supporting cast of Harrys in addition to Harry the strikebreaker. Therefore, I wasn't too surprised to discover that every short story in this collection is about a guy named Harry. Well, different guys named Harry, at least. It's fun to try and imagine that the stories are all about the same guy, but it just doesn't work, I'm sorry to report. Anyway, not as good as "Last Exit", but what is? Overall, a solid collection, with the exception of a couple snoozers, such as "The Sound", a riff on the same subject as Selby's dullest novel, "The Room" (I can't remember if that one is about a Harry or not...). Selby is such a good writer I wish that he had written more than a mere five books in thirty years of writing. But what he did write is excellent, so why complain? In other words, buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: my holy god, what a writer
Review: I've read a couple of Selby's full length novels, and his writing always leaves me heavily affected for days afterward(for better or worse). This book, a collection of short stories, was at times funny and sad, bitter and naive, and essentially is a portrayal of the most mundane and ordinary things imaginable in an extremely beautiful and grandiose way. If I didn't know better(and I guess I don't, I'd swear Selby was a psychic, the way he knows people's minds' inner workings so well). The story 'Of Whales and Dreams' tore my heart out. Amazing. Selby will burn you alive with your own emotions.

Rating:
Summary: my holy god, what a writer
Review: I've read a couple of Selby's full length novels, and his writing always leaves me heavily affected for days afterward(for better or worse). This book, a collection of short stories, was at times funny and sad, bitter and naive, and essentially is a portrayal of the most mundane and ordinary things imaginable in an extremely beautiful and grandiose way. If I didn't know better(and I guess I don't, I'd swear Selby was a psychic, the way he knows people's minds' inner workings so well). The story 'Of Whales and Dreams' tore my heart out. Amazing. Selby will burn you alive with your own emotions.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful
Review: Some of the stories will make you laugh, some will make you want to cry. All main characters are called Harry. All have different lives, different stories, but something underneath is the same. What is the common thread of the different Harrys? Read the book.
This is 13 short stories as aposed to his other novels, granted,but is also the easiest book of Selby jr to read. A great place to start with this wonderful and truely original American author.

Rating:
Summary: Pure Genius!
Review: This is the first book of Hubert Selby Jr.'s that I have read and I must say, it definately will not be the last. Stories like "Of Whales and Dreams" are beyond captivating--riddled with intricate details and powerful messages. Put quite simply, this book is a must read for anyone who finds value in innovative and experimental forms of writing.

Rating:
Summary: Pure Genius!
Review: This is the first book of Hubert Selby Jr.'s that I have read and I must say, it definately will not be the last. Stories like "Of Whales and Dreams" are beyond captivating--riddled with intricate details and powerful messages. Put quite simply, this book is a must read for anyone who finds value in innovative and experimental forms of writing.