THE SURF GURU by Doug Dorst
The title story, "The Surf Guru", ends as it begins, in wistful uncertainty, with hope yes, but limited and realistic. Perhaps it is this even-tempered melancholy that so strikes me about Doug Dorst's collection of stories here, a tone which gifts the work a sense of wisdom and catharsis.
Trace and Phil, a duo of fuck-ups grace two stories, both of sadness but of moments of gusto and hilarity as well. One connotes Kerouac in its reckless assault of the modern American west while the other conjures the helpless and morose of those in and out of love. Both left me hurt in a way that made me close the book at their finish. Deep breath, then re-open for the next story.
Then there was the historical piece about a Mexican village and the shamed father of a whore and a recluse - a man who has lost his family but not his pride culminating in the dangerous feast ritual of the running of the hyenas. William Golding's sun-worshipper story had a similar timeless feel to me, though Mr. Dorst's piece contains much more humanity.
Dystopian portraits of today's America cried to me as I read further wanting the smallest of redemptions. Sometimes Mr. Dorst complies, other times, it was enough to know that the world continued. I love this book: 3.5 out of 4 stars.
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