In “Strangler Bob” Johnson revisits territory from JESUS’ SON, and it’s nostalgic and good, a fun read with red button curiosity.

But THE LARGESSE OF THE SEA MAIDEN is defined and crowned by “Triumph Over the Grave”. I can’t remember the last time a story made me cry—and these were spontaneous tears of sadness and joy. I felt Denis Johnson had spoken directly to me in the final two sentences. I thank you Denis, and I miss you. Literature is slightly less exciting in your absence.

“The Starlight On Idaho” is fun and gritty like some of Johnson’s finest moments, reminiscent of ALREADY DEAD or NOBODY MOVE, and “Doppelgänger, Poltergeist” reminded me of THE NAME OF THE WORLD.

I enjoyed this collection especially, as it felt so much like a planned goodbye, a final chapter. Who else but Johnson could’ve succeeded at such a task as to make his own death an extension of his body of art? Only the title story tripped me up, and that just a bit, like a clearing of a mighty throat.

There is so much love in this book, and I loved it deeply.