If the title didn't make it obvious Death Rattle & Roll has a heavy focus on you guessed it: Death! However it is done in a very beautiful way and it is the most refined work from John Patrick Robbins that I have ever read and this book showcases some of the best pieces in his catalog. If I had to describe the book in a nutshell I'd say its a dark gothic poetry collection blended with memoirs, fiction, and a touch of John's smart ass sense of humor.
My personal favorite piece in this entire book was "For The Father I Never Knew" because it shows a very real part of who he is as a person vs. the wild charismatic character a lot of his readers would probably expect. As in that write he allows himself to be vulnerable and describes one of the deepest pains of his life very honestly and gives his readers a real moment to connect with him or maybe even reflect about someone they might have lost too. However his stories such as "Ben", "Hold My Beer", and "Not of Steel Simply Shame" shows some lighter moments that he recalls old friends that are now long gone that are both funny and yet also has a subtle undertone of sadness because it reminds the readers that these great characters can no longer enrich the world with their stories and leaves you with a sense of loss.
The fiction in the book will definitely entertain you as well with horror pieces like "House of Eternal Night" and "Tex" but it offers different flavors as well such as "Here Lies Sally Gibbons" and some Frank Murphy pieces. There were a few poems that pushed the humor a bit too heavy for some of the more intense readers but ultimately they also added a unique balance to the book that allows you to have a rollercoaster of emotions and as a result makes the heaviest pieces hit you that much harder. However these entertaining moments all blend together so well without it feeling excessive in a way that takes away from the beautiful darkness of the book as a whole.
Death Rattle & Roll is a true hybrid of a book that will offer something different than readers would ever expect and it makes me very curious about whatever project John will decide to do next as it offers a morbidly wholesome slice of life, some sharp cynical humor, and really memorable fiction in a very sleek package. Overall the book is extremely versatile and it will definitely catch your attention as even the interior is more stylized than his other books and the cover creates a truly classical style.
If you enjoy his writing or you would like to discover more I would highly recommend reading this book because it's a real experience to read.
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