Gifford has a tendency to play with chapter format and
phrasing, similar to
what I've seen in Ellroy's later stuff and also in Vacchs (to
name two from
the noir/harboiled genres). I think of this style of writing
as "avant
garde," mostly because it reminds me of avant garde music's
decisive move
toward foregrounding rhythm and eliminating melody. I guess
it could also
be seen as gimmicky or annoying. I've got mixed feelings and
often just
conclude the author was trying a bit too hard to be clever
and unusual.
I'd almost have to coin a new genre for both of Gifford's
books, but
especially Wild Things. Not sure what I'd call it. Maybe:
nihilistic
gonzo? Things sort of happen in a light-hearted gonzo way,
but these people
are self-destructive losers.
This isn't to say I recommend reading the books. They didn't
really speak
to me. But the price of the admission is low: they're much
shorter than your
average novel and easy to read.
Greg Swan
greg@swans.org
Mark Sullivan wrote:
>
> Jack,
> Thanks for reminding me of the end shots. To anyone
who has not seen
> Wild Things: DO NOT GET UP AND LEAVE (or start
rewinding) AS SOON AS THE
> CREDITS START TO ROLL!!! There are several short
scenes embedded in the
> credits that are well worth seeing.
>
> Mark
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