Book Review: Me and Bobby McGee (...OK, I lied)

Yes, I said I was taking a break from reviews, but the very day I wrote that, another book came in the mail, and I cracked it open to give it a glance. That's all it took - I was hooked after reading the first page. I normally don't get through a book in a week, but this was an exception... written in the first person, the central character is a hard-drinking gambler looking to score in New Orleans. His descriptive writing is very addictive, as he weaves into the story his personal philosophies about many things. It seems like he wanders a bit off topic here and there, but that's the magic of this novel: the guy's a talker, and you the reader are the listener of this dude's sometimes joyful, but always perilous experiences.

He ends up owing 1.2 million dollars, so to pay the debt, he has to smuggle something across the border into Mexico. That's where the fun begins. Let me give you an example of his wit:

As I wandered through the French quarter entertaining my nose and torturing my stomach with the scent of Cajun breakfast, I tried to envision where I'd left my car. I had started this day three nights ago when I first rolled into town. It was four in the morning and the streets were filled with people as was expected. It was instantaneous madness; I had crossed the city limits, which entailed entering a social contract with some manner of spirit in between Lucifer and Dionysius. With a quart of confidence in hand, I dove into the sea of ten-dollar identities and bare-breasted beauties. Beer and bayou-brewed bourbon stole my face and some voodoo gypsy with beads around her waist stole my mind.

With the odd unexpected plot twist, an array of interesting and original characters, and an adventure that I'm sure only this author, Chad Coenson, could cook up, "Me and Bobbie McGee" is a story line that pays homage to Kris Kristofferson's song by the same name. It's not often my wife hears me guffaw and chuckle while reading a book for review, so despite it's use of some course language and a bit of violence, this is at the top of my list if you're looking for a recommendation...

5 outa 5 stars. Buy it here.

Wolfy