good stuff - Rated 
As a fan of simply written stories I found the writing occasionaly a little too 'evocative' for my stripped bare tastes! All the same the book was an engaging read and made me curious to read other novels by Denis Johnson as well.
Religion and dope - Rated 
Meandering through a minefield of metaphors, obscure similies and thought-provoking observations, Jesus' Son takes the reader on a trek through the dark and, at times, seedy past of the hero, known only as F*** Head - presumably Mr. Johnson's former self before turning his hand to writing. A bleak and at the same time nihilistic journey of an American drifter, down the path of lost hope and self destruction. Denis Johnson's prose is filled with a sensitivity which somehow manages to bypass sentimentality and is both irritating and sleazy, yet somehow beautiful and awe-inspiring. For these stories alone (somehow his other works seem to fall into the banal category of "another novel by...") Mr. Johnson should earn his place alongside other American greats. Amazing work.
A star shines for everyone - Rated 
My journey to this book travelled from Chuck Palahniuk to Amy Hempel, both incredible writers capable of transmitting emotion and atmosphere in their work.
This book delivers this beautifully, a sometimes painful image of life some readers may not get the point at first, but luckily its the kind of book you'll read over and over again.
Ignore Me - Rated
I had heard great things about this guy, but was never keen. The synopses put me off, and the back cover did the same for me this time. I'm glad I ignored myself. Yes, it is a tale of junkies and losers, but the riffing is infectious. What elevates it beyond a style exercise, is what elevates all writing to the level of literature. Laced through the text are gems about what it is to be alive - they stop you and send you back to savour them a second, third time, and two pages on, you find yourself flipping back yet again. Ignoring myself once more, it's not about junkies, it's about me.
chemicals and religious connotations - Rated
Meandering through a minefield of metaphors, obscure similies and thought-provoking observations, Jesus' Son takes the reader on a trek through the dark and, at times, seedy past of the hero, known only as F*** Head - presumably Mr. Johnson's former self before turning his hand to writing. A bleak and at the same time nihilistic journey of an American drifter, down the path of lost hope and self destruction. Denis Johnson's prose is filled with a sensitivity which somehow manages to bypass sentimentality and is both irritating and sleazy, yet somehow beautiful and awe-inspiring. For these stories alone (somehow his other works seem to fall into the banal category of "another novel by...") Mr. Johnson should earn his place alongside other American greats such as Richard Brautigan, Richard Price and Whitely Strieber.
Personally I was given Jesus' Son many years before the unfortunate celluloid version was produced and it has since been one of the few literary treasures I have come to rely upon as a bible.
---- similar reads: Ladies' Man - Richard Price, Billy - Whitley Strieber, Sombrero Fallout - Richard Brautigan
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