Wild at Heart by barry gifford

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I don't usually write reviews.

However, I have to say that it's really interesting how Lula presents things as questions. It's as if when someone wants to share a story with you and truly ensure your engagement, this style makes you feel cozy and warm. It's like the thick humidity that surrounds you in the South, especially in a place like Big Tuna.

Lula and Sailor tell us about their families and lives in such an open and sincere manner. You can learn a lot about them just by listening to stories about a deceased uncle or a grandfather's misadventure. It's pleasant to hear their insights on life and how they feel about each other. Johnny also opens up to us through his writing. It's almost impossible not to love Gifford's characters.

If you've only watched the movie, I believe you'll notice that the characters in your imagination are a bit different as you read the book. You'll discover new depths and details that add to the overall charm and complexity of the story.

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Thejacensolo

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

There are certain stories that, no matter how one attempts to present them, will always possess a sense of bleakness. This is precisely one such story. It should be noted that I have never watched the film by David Lynch that is based on this book. Consequently, my review is solely based on Gifford's novel and not on any interpretations of it.

This story chronicles the days that Sailor and Lula spent on the road, in search of a place to commence their lives anew. Sailor has recently been released from prison and is eager to reunite with the one woman he not only loves but who also loves him. Lula, on the other hand, has fled from home to be with Sailor.

As they journey through the South, striving to stay ahead of the private investigator that Lula's mother, Mariette, has hired (one gets the impression that the PI and Mariette have a complex relationship of their own, although it is never explicitly discussed) to track down Lula and bring her back home, Sailor and Lula share various moments in their lives. These moments may or may not have contributed to shaping them into the individuals they are. Some of these moments are hilarious, while others make one grateful for the life they have led. Due to this narration, the novel appears more like a collection of short vignettes haphazardly slapped together and passed off as a novel. However, the strange thing is that this style suits these characters. By having short, episodic moments (some left unresolved, others concluded without any sense of satisfaction) instead of a straightforward linear narrative, this reader felt a greater connection to Sailor and Lula. To be honest, I'm not certain if I could have endured a structure that simply presented events in a "this happened and then this happened" manner.

The ending cannot be described as happy. But it is appropriate for who these characters are and how they have lived. There are not many answers provided for the insights and questions that Gifford poses, but isn't that what makes life what it is?

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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NixKaen

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Light and harmless fun with a lot of good dialogue. It may not be as good as the movie, but no movie would be complete without it. Also, it's pretty much worth it just for the following:

"Okay, Spark, here it is," Buddy said, putting his pen down on the counter. "My all-time top ten, in no particular order. 'Lucille' by Little Richard, 'Lonely Nights' by The Hearts, 'He's So Fine' by The Chiffons, 'Be My Baby' by The Ronettes, 'Sea of Love' by Phil Phillips, 'High Blood Pressure' by Huey 'Piano' Smith and The Clowns, 'It's Rainin'' by Irma Thomas, 'You're No Good' by Betty Everett, 'I'd Rather Go Blind' by Etta James, and 'Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay' by Otis Redding. What do you think?"

"I've always been partial to 'Sea of Love' myself," said Sparky. "But where's 'My Pretty Quadroon' by Jerry Lee Lewis? Just kiddin'. But how about 'Breathless,' at least? Where's Sam Cooke? Elvis? Chuck Berry? 'Just One Look' by Doris Troy? 'Stay' by Maurice Williams? 'I'm a King Bee' by Slim Harpo? Or 'Little Darlin'' by The Gladiolas? 'If You Lose Me, You'll Lose a Good Thing' by Barbara Lynn? Marvin Gaye? Little Miss Cornshucks? Sugar Pie DeSanto? The Beatles? The Stones?"

"Can't all be in the top ten. Those are the ones I'd take. Not meant to please anyone but myself. Besides, making lists helps pass the time."

This exchange between Buddy and Sparky shows their love for music and the fun they have in discussing their favorite songs. It also highlights the subjective nature of music preferences, as Sparky suggests many other great songs that could have made the list. Despite the differences in their tastes, they both enjoy the process of making and sharing their lists, which adds to the light and harmless fun of the moment.

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doramaaprncss

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

16th book for 2019.

In this concise novella, Barry Gifford presents the initial installment in a continuous series of tales regarding the love affair of Sailor and Lula. The story unfolds in a captivating manner, drawing readers into the passionate and often tumultuous relationship of these two characters.

The book achieved immortality when it was adapted into a film of the same name by David Lynch. Gifford, who also had a writing credit in Lynch's surreal "Lost Highway," saw many of the film's most memorable lines directly lifted from the book. However, there is still an abundance to savor when delving into the original source material. The novella is a prime example of noir pulp that has been elevated to the lofty level of Southern beat poetry. It combines gritty realism with a touch of poetic elegance, creating a unique and engaging reading experience.

4-stars.

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EvilOrso

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I devoured this like candy. It was even better than the movie, which was already extremely good.

Gifford is truly a poet, having a musician's acute ear for dialogue. It's phenomenal.

The way Gifford crafts the words and the flow of the dialogue is simply outstanding. It draws you in and makes you feel as if you are right there in the story.

Each sentence is carefully constructed, adding depth and nuance to the overall narrative.

It's not just a read; it's an experience.

You can't help but be impressed by the talent and skill that went into creating this piece.

It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates great writing and engaging stories.

Whether you're a fan of the movie or not, this will surely leave you in awe.

So, go ahead and give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

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LevvyLou

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The reason I read this particular work was that it was advertised in the Vintage Contemporaries mail order form at the back of my copy of American Psycho. I was rather disappointed that Bret Ellis wasn't advertised at all in that context. I purchased this novel mainly because it serves as the source material for my least-favorite David Lynch film. I guess my motivation for reading it was similar to that of reading Dune. I thought that reading the book might enhance my enjoyment of the movie. It did work out that way for Dune (even though Lynch disowned the movie), so we'll have to wait and see if I can develop a better appreciation for the film adaptation of Wild at Heart.

I don't want to spend an excessive amount of time comparing the novel with the film. Fortunately, I don't remember the film very well at all. I basically just recall Willem Dafoe as Bobby Peru, who seems like a spiritual successor to Dennis Hopper's Frank Booth and a predecessor to Robert Loggia's Mr. Eddy. There's also the snakeskin jacket and Marietta covering her face in lipstick, neither of which is present in this book. Nor are there any references to The Wizard of Oz. There aren't many Elvis references either (although there are at least a couple). So, to be honest, it's really just the character names, their relationships, and the basic road-trip plot (with Johnnie tracking the kids down) that are adapted in Lynch's movie. Otherwise, he did his own thing.

This novel is, therefore, kind of uninteresting in the sense that it's just rather "normal." I mean, the accented dialogue and some graphic sexual content set it apart from the sort of basic-bitch garbage you'd find in an airport newsstand. There's enough here to make it seem reasonable that it would be published by the same company that backs certain Ellis, Beattie, Leyner, Yates, or McCarthy novels. Like, those authors are all quite stylistically diverse, but there's a sense of legitimate artistic merit to them, and I feel Gifford isn't out of place here, even if perhaps I don't like him as much after having read only one of his books.

I guess the thing is that the book feels "too short," which is kind of funny because my main complaint when I read Lolita ages ago was that the "road-trip" element seemed to drag on for too long. So there's a happy medium somewhere between that and this.

I don't know. I have an interest in reading the other Sailor and Lula books and will likely purchase the volume that compiles them all. So that has to count for something.

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Viacka

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Lula is soooo Laura Dern.

It's a statement that immediately grabs your attention. The review gives it 3-stars, and rightfully so, as this is pulp. However, it's not your ordinary pulp.

This particular piece of writing has an existential edge to it, which makes it stand out from the crowd. It delves into the deeper questions of life and existence, adding an extra layer of depth and complexity to the story.

Despite its pulp nature, it's also a fun read. The characters are engaging, the plot is fast-paced, and there are enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Overall, while it may not be a literary masterpiece, it's definitely worth a read for those who enjoy a bit of pulp with a side of existentialism.

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Hussin

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

You'd think parole-breaking romantic rebels would know by now not to head into Texas.

After all, the place is so damn big that it's hard to avoid if you're trying to get from Florida to the West Coast.

In the excursion of Sailor and Lula, the author vividly namechecks a plethora of local color details in all the towns they pass through.

The scenes in New Orleans almost give the impression of being a commercial from the tourism board, painting a vivid and enticing picture.

Gifford doesn't hold back when it comes to adding elements like a short story by one of the characters, a letter written by another, or one of Sailor's numerous tales he heard from one of the fellas in Pee Dee.

However, everything takes a turn for the worse in Big Tuna (a stand-in for Big Spring, TX), with the help of Bobby "Like The Country" Peru.

It's like the combination of drinking Lone Star and eating gummy bears, or perhaps having a cheeseburger in the trunk of a Cadillac while cruising down I-10, creating a strange and somewhat chaotic experience.

Overall, the story is a wild ride filled with unexpected twists and turns.

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Sailor & Lula #1

Wild at Heart

barry gifford

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