In Willy Vlautin's latest novel, he takes us into the forgotten Northwest: the deserts of Oregon and Washington and into the heart of another run-down life. This time it's 15-year Charley Thompson. His home life isn't much to speak of, and his work life isn't much either. While working at a run-down racetrack on the outskirts of Portland, Charley befriends Pete, a workhorse being run to death. When Charley's life becomes desperate, he makes a last ditch effort to save both himself and Pete.
Vlautin's writing is perfect: spare, heartbroken and honest. How Vlautin manages to find the most down-trodden characters in the forgotten parts of America and provide them (and luckily us) with just enough hope to keep on going is what makes me want to read more by him. This book is heartbreakingly good, and tomorrow, there's always a new dawn...
This book takes a detour to Denver, which was quite a fun bit, as Charley spends quite a few sad nights on Colfax...at Pete's, at the Lion's Lair, at the Bluebird...
--Joe
Come meet Willy Vlautin, the author of The Motel Life and Northline, and the singer and songwriter of the band Richmond Fontaine, on Thursday, May 6 at 7:30pm at our Colfax store. He will read from and sign his new novel Lean on Pete ($13.99 HarperCollins), the story of a 15-year old boy struggling to make his way to a long lost aunt, who just might give him a home. In the words of author Mark Billingham, “Vlautin is a truly original voice…[and] one of the best writers in America,” and “Lean on Pete is powerful, heartbreaking stuff.”
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