Jeb Harrison's characters are as colorful and multi layered as his artwork. Hack is a fascinating read about a down and out (albeit talented) artist with a dream: to reconnect with his long lost love in real life, not only in his dreams. The road Hack lays down to get from where he begins his journey to where it ends is full of twists and turns, not unlike the roads leading to Hack's favorite Northern California beaches. Like a winding road, there are surprises at every turn, and not just roadkill, although roadkill is a fitting euphenism for some of the potential trainwreck-in-the-making situations Hack finds himself navigating. "Hack" is down and dirty, "Hack" is reality, and "Hack" is just plain fun. There's no guessing what happens next or how it ends. You'll just have to pick up a copy and find out for yourself. Highly recommended!
Being into long two lane roads on two wheels the cover among other things hooked me immediately into purchasing this book. At first I was wondering where motorcycles had anything to do with the story but in time the roar of Harley-Davidson motorcycles had everything to do with the story. From early childhood friendships, real life struggles with human emotion, cocktails in abundance, bikers, mystery, wealthy musicians, intrigue, romance, deception, close to home illness, action figures, did I mention an abundance of cocktails, a new understanding of the art world, and just outright adventure Hack is a journey we should all take if just from the comfort of your favorite reading chair. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, you will enjoy it like I did from cover to cover.
Like a good recipe in the hands of a cook creating a dish to be savored bite by bite while leaving the diner wanting a second helping, a well -written story keeps a reader wanting the next word, image, sentence, paragraph, and new chapter. Reading Jeb Harrison’s hilarious novel I always wanted more to taste and when I did I experienced storytelling at its best. Harrison’s story has twists and turns, tension, an arc, character development, surprises, dialogue consistent with the character, rhythm and pace. His writing is not a recently acquired style. He is not strutting out a voice easy to conjure up, but demonstrates an ability to bring characters out with humor and description.
This cast of believable spirited oddballs scheme ways to get rich by getting Henry, an alcoholic bumbler and artist to disappear by faking his own death, thereby increasing the value of his art. A love affair with a childhood sweetheart who appears in his dream’s and reappears as a biker, wife of a rock star and art collector move to surprising conclusions. An art agent, a gay make-up artist, former wife and sister looking to cash in on the wealth generated by Henry’s paintings, a one armed homeless Vietnam vet, a Nordic interior designer are the players in this sad and funny novel.
We root for Henry too recover, have a successful life, marry his childhood sweetheart. The more he fails along the way the more we love him and the novel.
You gotta love this guy, Hack. "A simple tale of a drunken artist driving his car off a cliff..." this is not. Rather it's a wacky, twisty-turny tale of a wily (sometimes knee-walking drunk) artist heading off the cliff of his life, his past, his fears, his failures. He's all in for appetite, for love and ultimately for transformation and so are we. As a read, it's one heck of a ride, vivid and amiably profane. Harrison writes women well, but surely guys will get the biggest bang out of one of their own telling it like it is.
