Thursday 1 November 2007

Keith Banner: The Smallest People Alive

This is an extraordinary book that finds its truths and lyricism in lives that seem to offer almost nothing. The stories are peopled by the clinically obese, retards, workers in dead-end jobs, the lonely, the handicapped: the smallest people alive. What's more, they're wise and self-aware enough to know who they are and how little they're owed. What saves them is love, or the possibility of it, of crumbs from love's table. Most of the stories deal with gay men or boys, but that should exclude no one from their power and, often, humour. I was touched and amused, and deeply impressed, by Banner's capacity to make the world he describes not only real but of value.

You can read a story from the collection here. And don't miss the links for other stories at the bottom of the page.

11 comments:

Erin O'Brien said...

I am reminded of "Working" by Studs Terkel.

Sounds wonderful. Thanks ...

Erin O'Brien said...

Okay. This book has an Amazon sales ranking of 455,919 and was published in 2004 by a small indie press. And I can SO relate to that (DO NOT ask me for effing particulars!) Just suffice it to say that anyone who pays attention to such a book is a Good and True Person who will Go To Heaven and be given a Special Place wherein golden light always shines softly.

Charles Lambert said...

Oh my god, this is so me. Thank you.

I'll be clicking on effing particulars...

Charles Lambert said...

I clicked.

725,631. You.

761,403. Me.

Oh God.

Erin O'Brien said...

Hey, maybe we should get hitched. Or at least make out.

Charles Lambert said...

Does Ms Baroque know you behave like this on other people's blogs?

Erin O'Brien said...

Dunno. Think she would make out with me?

Dale said...

They're peopled by real people then! Excellent. I read the first story, very nicely done. I'll check out the other stories too.

Charles Lambert said...

Erin, I wouldn't be surprised. A heart beats in that bosom.

Dale, read them all! I've just bought his novel. I'll be reporting back as soon as I've read it.

Ms Baroque said...

Erin knows, Charles. I've told her off publicly (though she never asked me to make out!).

However, the two of you are very cute.

xx

Erin O'Brien said...

I am reading "Smallest People" right now and I am completely blown away by it.

Amazing.