Sarah: A Novel by J. T. LeRoy
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Book Reviews of Sarah: A Novel
Book Review: Melanie M, Miller Place NY
Summary: 5 Stars
Sarah by J.T. Leroy is a fiction book about a young man named Cherry Vanilla who is searching for his woman and "lizard" hood. Cherry Vanilla starts off as a 12 year old boy living in an old motel with his mother, Sarah. Sarah and the other lizards of the lot work for a pimp named Glad. Glad treats the lizards well, taking who and what they are in consideration. The lot lizards are all prostitutes and Cherry Vanilla want to be the best, most famous one in the entire south. Cherry Vanilla dresses as a girl and starts calling himself Sarah. This new Sarah leaves his mother and their home to go out and get noticed. This is how everything gets started.
This book was risqué in the sense that not many people write books about truck stop whores. Because this book was different it stood out and made it memorable. The book raises suggestions of religious pimps and whores. I found this interesting because this is a topic I have never thought of, but I believe that it's possible that people in prostitution have strong religious beliefs even if they are twisted slightly to agree with their way of life.
I thought this book was captivating and held my attention the whole through. Sarah was interesting, funny and at parts sad. I would recommend this book to people who like the book Frisk by Dennis Cooper and/or Smack by Melvin Burgess.
Book Review: To hell with the hype! This author is amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
There is a whole world in Sarah. Sometimes it is topsy turvy, sometimes it is whimsical, sometimes it resonates with chords I never even knew I had. Characterization so strong that I would recognize Cherry Vanilla, LeLoup, Mother Shapiro or anyone else if they stepped off the page and into a crowded room. Since then, I've tried to read everything JT LeRoy has written, be it book or article or interview. He is a genius. His ability to paint word pictures, in both Sarah and The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things is astounding. I've never read anyone who can produce such clear images in my mind's eye as this author's writing can do. His analogies and descriptions are spot on and breath taking. His innate sense of timing gives the reader the perfect emotion (humor, poignancy, introspection) at the most opportune time so that the meaning sinks deepest. His writing can lull you into thinking that you know this situation, this scenario, this setting. Then, just as you're settling into complacency, he jerks the rug out from under you with a reality that can barely be imagined. He is a singular talent. I have no doubt at all that his writing will stand the test of time and he will be the Mark Twain of this generation.Book Review: Amazing New Voice in Literature!
Summary: 5 Stars
For those who have yet to hear of JT Leroy or his book, SARAH, you are missing out on one of the most amazing new voices in literature. With as haunting of a voice as Carson McCullers and with an edge to rival Harry Crews, JT Leroy writes with an intensity that will make you want to savor the small book over days rather than devour it in one sitting. And, with the depth of the characters and theme, you might find it impossible to make it a quick read, instead finding it best to consider, review and read slowly.Drawing from the experiences of his 20 years, Leroy is able to put together a story so surreal that you know it is awash in truth, yet also know that it is a world unique and foreign to most readers. Or is it? As JT Leroy tackles some of his own demons he quietly challeges the reader to do the same.
The one thing to know going in is -- you will find yourself craving something else from this deep, beautiful, and wounded heart. I was at once reminded of John Kennedy Toole's NEON BIBLE. Both of these books left me craving more. With Leroy, at least we are likely to get our wish!
Book Review: Tragic, sad and lovely
Summary: 5 Stars
When I read Sarah for the first time, I couldn't really believe what I read. It struck me as a wonderful book, lovely, imaginative language, and a dark and tragic story, but written from the view of someone living in the middle of it, a young child who doesn't know anything else, so he doesn't see it as strange or terrible, it is just life. The innocence and the truthfulness hit me very hard.
Later I learned about JT Leroy's story, and it just confirmed what I understood from reading the book, this is written by someone who has understood the relationship between parent and child, however twisted and cruel it is, there is still that bond, a bond that sometimes can kill you. Having worked with kids in danger, I knew this for the truth.
Sarah is a gem of a book, the others written by Leroy is also good, but this is outstanding.
I don't believe JT Leroy is a hoax, and besides, it doesn't matter, the book speaks for itself, and how it speaks!
Book Review: Definitely a good read.
Summary: 5 Stars
JT LeRoy received so much high acclaim that I felt I just had to buy this book.On the cover there are quotes by well-known people who compare LeRoy to the likes of Burroughs, etc. So the standard is set very high, I think....
Consindering this publication "only" has 166 pages, it is quite something that I did not fully get into it until around page 100... And even after having finished it I am not totally sure what to think of this book - but I can recommend it nevertheless.
JT LeRoy describes life of a male teenage prostitute. He also talks about Sarah, his mother. What I liked about the book is the way it made my brains work - Sarah could be the mother, but could also be an alter ego, sort of schizophrenic. JT shows the ugly side of the prostitution trade, but at the same time makes religious comparisons, talks about a certain holiness of the business.