Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collections
Publication
Rebel inc. (2001), 240 pages
Description
A modern-day on-the-road adventure in the spirit of Mark Twain and Jack London. On a rumble-tumble journey across the western states, a 22-year-old housepainter - something of an urban innocent - strikes out on the only type of adventure he can afford: he gets into his station wagon and goes camping in the desert. Mark Sundeen provides the voice of youthful discovery as he meanders through a desiccated land of hobos, river guides, and spiritual seekers. This is the new American West of low-rent trailer parks and high-dollar houseboats, of hot-springs singles scenes and homeless river guides and hapless soul-searchers, for sun-beat old-timers chewing the cud of the land and survivalist teenagers hiding out from the Man.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Sylak
This book had the pace and feeling of aimlessness that reminded me of 'Catcher in the Rye'; also, because it was based on actual events that had been filled in with plenty of "fake parts" (authors own words), something which Holden would certainly not have approved of, it also made me think of the
Bottom line. If you enjoyed some of the aforementioned author's works (Salinger, Hunter S. Thompson, Kerouac) you could be forgiven for enjoying this book also.
I read very little contemporary authors (or certainly few who are still living), a matter that I have been trying to redress over recent years; so I was glad to discover this former library book on a table outside my local charity shop. Not sure what made me pick it up. The general vagabond vibe and whimsy I got from flicking through the pages, the low price, and the fact that I was late for a lunch date all contributed. I try to start reading books in the order of last purchased. This has controlled my book hoarding somewhat, since buying more books actively prevents me from reading from my own library. It's a good tip. Thankfully in this case my new acquisition had proved a worthy distraction.
I did observe the racial attitude towards Indians (Native Americans) perceived as gangsters or casino workers, but that was the perception of the kid in the story who was wrestling with his own sense of identity faced with the possible fact that he may be part red skin himself and how this fact changed his view of himself in the mirror even though he clearly still looked white. Something which many outwardly white American's must feel, finding out that one of their direct ancestors was black (for instance). Having blood (or, DNA) which can identify a person as belonging in part to a minority group with a strong sense of identity can make you feel very lost. No longer feeling like the person you assumed you were, but certainly not outwardly resembling the people you are supposedly part of either. There is a feeling of loss that you will probably never be accepted for the one eighth minority which part of you now feels kinmanship to. It questions what if you were outwardly black, but your DNA had strong European markers. Would that make you less black? How much of race is simply in the colour of your skin? Can a white person, in such a case, claim to be more black than a black skinned person with more roots in Europe than Africa?
How much of modern racial identity is simply skin deep, and how important is the colour of your skin?
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Gonzo writing in 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'. I think one could argue a bit of Kerouac too.Bottom line. If you enjoyed some of the aforementioned author's works (Salinger, Hunter S. Thompson, Kerouac) you could be forgiven for enjoying this book also.
I read very little contemporary authors (or certainly few who are still living), a matter that I have been trying to redress over recent years; so I was glad to discover this former library book on a table outside my local charity shop. Not sure what made me pick it up. The general vagabond vibe and whimsy I got from flicking through the pages, the low price, and the fact that I was late for a lunch date all contributed. I try to start reading books in the order of last purchased. This has controlled my book hoarding somewhat, since buying more books actively prevents me from reading from my own library. It's a good tip. Thankfully in this case my new acquisition had proved a worthy distraction.
I did observe the racial attitude towards Indians (Native Americans) perceived as gangsters or casino workers, but that was the perception of the kid in the story who was wrestling with his own sense of identity faced with the possible fact that he may be part red skin himself and how this fact changed his view of himself in the mirror even though he clearly still looked white. Something which many outwardly white American's must feel, finding out that one of their direct ancestors was black (for instance). Having blood (or, DNA) which can identify a person as belonging in part to a minority group with a strong sense of identity can make you feel very lost. No longer feeling like the person you assumed you were, but certainly not outwardly resembling the people you are supposedly part of either. There is a feeling of loss that you will probably never be accepted for the one eighth minority which part of you now feels kinmanship to. It questions what if you were outwardly black, but your DNA had strong European markers. Would that make you less black? How much of race is simply in the colour of your skin? Can a white person, in such a case, claim to be more black than a black skinned person with more roots in Europe than Africa?
How much of modern racial identity is simply skin deep, and how important is the colour of your skin?
Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2000
Physical description
240 p.; 7.76 x 5.12 inches
ISBN
1841950998 / 9781841950990