Claire Vaye Watkins

This book was pulling me to it as soon as I read that glorious title. Best title of all time? Claire Vaye Watkins is a boss. I knew I would love this book. It must take some guts to write auto-fiction -- autobiographical fiction! Watkins puts it all on the page. A few short chapters on postpartum depression swings into the backstory of her family to show how a Claire exists, what resulted in creating a Claire -- her dad just happened to be in a cult -- Manson's. (There is actually a real book describing that time, written by her dad Paul Watkins.) Not just a cult, but all the little things that make up a history and a life. I think the cult aspect just anchors some truth and keeps you guessing what else is real. I know this is "fiction" but there are so many parallels to the life of the writer that it is hard to separate fact from fiction. (And I had a lot of fun listening to author events with Watkins on Youtube to find out what was real. The tattoo that names the book on one of Claire's old boyfriends? REAL.) But no matter what the truth might be, the sentences are a treasure. There is a cynicism that is usually just my jam... suppose the darkness chose Watkins? Wherever the darkness is involved, I love this book. Just the way Watkins crafts sentences, with the darkness, if I may, laced with humor, the casual dropping of facts, I will read and probably admire whatever Watkins happens to write. It's a mood. Also, I think I just really love a flailing female character and even if this were not supposed to be an autofictional main character, to hold added interest in guessing what was true and what was not, I think I would have loved this book. I wonder if Watkins herself would find this book fitting this lovely list? I do. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/153374.She_s_Not_Feeling_Good_at_All_Catastr... I think this is the sort of book where there are bonus points involved if you are anywhere close to the age of the writer. She was born in 1984. (Oregon Trail gen!) ALSO, Rilo Kiley lyrics by page eight?!?! This is indeed a book for me. I would set this on the shelf beside:
'Look How Happy I'm Making You' by Polly Rosenwaike
a couple of books by Miriam Toews
'The New Wilderness' by Diane Cook… (mais)

Watkins' debut is a dystopian novel set in a California where endless drought has caused a vast dune sea to engulf the Mojave and the Sierras, creating a society of climate refugees desperate for water and for escape.

Luz and Ray are two such displaced persons. Living in a mansion abandoned by a starlet, they decide to take her vintage Karmann Ghia and head for Seattle and safety. On the way, they steal a child, Ig, from a group of drifters.

Coming to grief in the dune sea, Luz is found by a group of survivalists living on the edge. Their leader, Levi, has big dreams in which Luz and Ig both play a part.

This is a pretty good book, albeit with a few confusing loose ends and, frankly, terrible sex scenes. It reminded me somewhat of The Road, Lord of the Flies, and even Dune at times. Watkins is a talent to watch.… (mais)