Description
Fiction. In this picaresque first novel, the protagonist moves from a rebellious existence to be more focused in the surrounding adult world. As he heads once more to the freights, after working intensely for seven years with parolees in a halfway house, he brings his old railroad diaries with him. Reading them over as he bounces from railyard to railyard, framed by the scenery of the Southwest, he winces at his own self-absorption back then, the shame he feels about his own privilege, and the deep insecurity about his sexual worth. The path forward takes shape when he meets Kit, and they embark on a romance that parallels his becoming who he is.
"I've long thought that Bill O'Neill might be the most interesting man in New Mexico. His first novel, which overflows with joyful prose, is part Jack Kerouac, and part Denis Johnson. This is a frantic and fabulous ride that requires a seatbelt."—Rus Bradburd
"NBA guards zig zag, fake, crossover, lunge back and up, blitz by the power forwards and looming giant centers, driving it to the basket—in so many words, that's what this book does, it drives straight in and scores. Read it, devour every word, mull on it, I promise you, you'll enjoy it, you'll even call friends to buy it too—it's that kind of book."—Jimmy Santiago Baca
Author Bio
Bill O'Neill grew up in rural Ohio and graduated from Cornell University. Elected to the New Mexico State Legislature in 2008, he is now in his third term as a New Mexico State Senator. His first novel and poetry collection have received national critical acclaim, and SHORT SESSION (Red Mountain Press, 2021) is a sequel to his much praised PANORAMIC DIARIES (Red Mountain Press, 2020). He is also the author of the poetry collection THE FREEDOM OF THE IGNORED (Red Mountain Press, 2017). Bill's career has been framed by his work with non-profits, with a focus on incarcerated juveniles and adults. Named an Emerging Leader in 2016 by the University of Virginia's Darden School, he credits his early literary inspiration to his mentor E.L. Doctorow.
Author City: Albuquerque, NM USA