Background Noise: Review

 


Background Noise
Author: Peter DeMarco
Publisher: Pangea Books
Pages: 126

Summary:

Troubled young suburbanite Henry Walker is on a one-man mission to clean up his town, protect his property, and chase after fantasies of a better life ahead. From an alienated adolescent to a frustrated young adult, Henry encounters one disappointment after another. While suffering the loss of close family members and friends, desperately seeking companionship in the form of unconventional friendships, and becoming a victim of extreme bullying and violence, Henry ultimately becomes an outcast in the only town he knows. As Henry immerses himself in his past, memories become guilt, guilt becomes regret, and regret becomes obsession—until violence seems to be the only logical response.

Written as a collection of interwoven short stories, told in sparse, piercing prose, this haunting novel examines Henry Walker’s transformation from the misfit and the victim— to vengeful retaliator. But does the justice he metes out make him a popular hero or an enemy of the people? In razor-sharp prose reminiscent of Haruki Murakami, Peter DeMarco startles the mind while touching the heart. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

This book is a compilation of short stories from the main character Henry's life. Henry is a strange child and grows up to be a just as strange man. His parent's are both dead and he still lived in their home. He kind of just wanders through life alone and is sort of an outcast in his tow.

In the beginning of the book Henry is a child and I was a little uncomfortable with all of the writing about masturbation and sex. It felt like I was reading something I shouldn't be. Henry was a very unusual person. I don't think this book was for me but a lot of people are saying good things about it so I'm kind of stumped. Maybe I missed something but I felt like the chapters were jumping all over the place. I didn't really take anything from this book and I also feel that I could have known more about Henry even though the book was all about him. This is one that I can either take it or leave it.

*I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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