January 27, 2009
EVER by Blake Butler
Blake Butler’s EVER is published by Calamari Press, which is owned and operated by fellow flocker Derek White. Blake sent along a CD with “EVER” written on it for me to listen to. As I read, it turned out to be a very strange and cool experience, a lot like watching a David Lynch film. I enjoyed this feeling very much! The music somehow made me want to lie down on the floor and sliver. I’m not sure why. When I told my wife this she asked if I’d taken my medication (which I had). But the book is great even without the music. Here’s a sentence about halfway through the book: “[I could hear the room above me moving—something in it—someone. I could hear them inside me, also echoed, jostling around. They were moving things and using hammers, screws and scissors, saws with teeth.” Butler’s use of brackets [[[ ]]] adds only to the surreal quality of the book in that they draw attention to such small details and give the book a feeling of confinement: “[The next room had a tiny doorman who murmured in my ear.]]” This is a fine, challenging book. Butler’s prose is beguilingly odd, he has a strong command on language, and I highly recommend it. You can order it here.
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I was trying to find you Brandon, as an online presence. I guess this is as good as it will get. I just got Ever in the mail. As well as The Levitationist. Maybe I’ll try to contact you here later.