I was already feeling the approach of winter here in Glasgow, but this novel really put me in the mood for it. The story focuses on two brothers, Frank and Jerry Lee. (Which is funny considering that the last book I read was also about two brothers) It begins by revealing that Jerry Lee has just killed a young man after driving home on a snowy night while he was drunk. What follows is the heart-wrenching journey of the two brothers as they come to terms with this event and their move from one motel to the next in order to escape its consequences.
What I found interesting was how the extent to which I liked the book kept going back and forth as I was reading it. I’m quite sure that this has never happened before. The reason for this was that while I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere that Vlautin was able to create, I found the plot somewhat lacking at times. The book is told from Frank’s perspective and the reader soon begins to understand that the two brothers have not had an easy life – coming from a broken home, their mother dying young, both having dropped out of high school, it feels like the two of them have not even had a chance to really become a part of society. Especially as Frank sometimes tells incredible adventurous stories to Jerry Lee, it becomes increasingly clear how strong their longing for something ‘great’ is. This aspect of the plot was truly beautifully written – it was sincere and most importantly harsh and eye-opening in its honesty.
The reason I found the book lacking in some respect was due to the monotonous flow of the story . ‘The Motel Life’ is an accurate title, but it meant that a lot of the same behaviour was written about over and over again. A large part of the book was dedicated to describing the food they ate, how they drank coffee, Frank’s boozing, which are all things I know that I include too much of in my own writing, so I am trying not to be hypocritical, but Vlautin certainly took it to a whole other extent. That being said, sometimes it did indeed add to the book’s atmosphere which I already praised. There was something truly immersing about the freezing, snow-covered Reno with its casinos, a feeling of loneliness and the simple things which consumed the days of the two brothers.
When it comes to dealing with the subject matter of coping with killing someone, while Vlautin partially addresses this in a way through some of Jerry Lee’s actions and words, I thought that it could have been explored more. Particularly if some of the book could have been dedicated to Jerry Lee’s perspective. However, the most important element to focus on when it came to this, was the bond between Frank and Jerry Lee, which was so very endearing and genuine, that it is bound to leave any reader with the urge to reflect on their own relationships with their family members.
However, the most interesting reflection I came away with from this book was that underneath all the sadness that was present in this story, there was profound optimism. And this hopefulness which Frank somehow always touched upon was emphasised in a very subtle way. The book never attempted to lecture the reader on not giving up, rather it instilled the idea, that things may turn around. One final element that needs to be mentioned is the artwork, which preceded every chapter. I don’t think it added much to the novel. It may have even been nicer to just imagine the drawings that Jerry Lee did, since leaving that up to one’s own interpretation may have been more effective.
Nevertheless, even in this review my thoughts have been all over the place, which perfectly illustrates my feelings about the book. I did enjoy it and would certainly recommend it, but I did not think that it was beyond reproach.
I give this book three bottles and a glass out of five wine bottles.
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