Book Review: Peckinpah by D. Harlan Wilson (Shroud Publishing)

By D. Harlan Wilson (Shroud Publishing)
Reviewed by Esteban Silvani

“Unpleasant imagery– the definition of modern love…”

THIS is the kinda book I’ve been waiting for D. Harlan Wilson to write. I’ve been a big fan of his imaginative short fiction for quite some time as he consistently creates the strangest existential speculative fiction known to man, and this time, he managed to duplicate that brilliance in a longer work. While his other novels are great reads, Peckinpah represents a step to the next level.

Peckinpah is so much more than a tribute to legendary cinematic director, Sam Peckinpah– it stands on its own as a unique work of art. The narrative purposely shifts voice, changes pace, hits the reader with rapid-fire snorts of ultra violence and absurdity. At times it comes across as social commentary, warning us of the dangers of our fascination with violence. At other times, Wilson seems to lay on the violence so thick as though it were some therapeutic way of purging our craving for violence through repulsion. No matter the angle, Wilson succeeds in presenting this dark, tragic comedy (sorry, “ultraviolent romance”) that takes place in a world where the soap opera As the World Turns has been re-titled The World has Turned to Celluloid as though we were watching ourselves via spliced celluloid edited by a crazed nihilistic loner.

The plot revolves around Felix Soandso– a man out to avenge the brutal rape and murder of his wife committed by Samson Thataway and his gang of the Fuming Garcias who have invaded the small town of Dreamfield. In Dreamfield you will meet the lovely residents who flock to the tanning salon after church to gobble down salt packets and key lime pie as they remove their girdles and let their fat spill to the knees, as well as the farmer who runs over everything with his tractor, and people who take their pigs to work.

The rummy writing style compliments the whacked out content in this brainy masterpiece. I recommend this piece of literature to all readers craving something different, and for fans of Peckinpah’s films even more so. In Peckinpah, D. Harlan Wilson has written what I have found to be his finest work and I truly feel that his best is yet to come. Do not pass this one up!