Jerry Stahl is celebrated for his darkly comedic tales of addiction, which have garnered critical acclaim and a devoted cult following. His work resonates deeply, offering a compelling and unflinching look at the human condition for those who feel isolated and overwhelmed. Stahl's distinctive voice cuts through the noise, delivering narratives that are both raw and darkly humorous. He masterfully explores the often-unseen struggles of life with a unique and unforgettable style.
An ex-cop and struggling addict, Manny Rupert takes on an undercover mission to investigate whether a California inmate is the notorious war criminal Josef Mengele, who allegedly faked his death. As Manny delves deeper, he uncovers a disturbing conspiracy tied to genocide, drugs, eugenics, and human experimentation, revealing dark connections between America and Nazi atrocities. The narrative navigates through intense and harrowing themes, juxtaposing Manny's personal battles with the chilling legacy of historical horrors.
Jerry Stahl's seminal memoir of drug addiction and a career in Hollywood, Permanent Midnight is a classic along the lines of Hubert Selby, Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn. Illuminating the self-loathing and self-destruction of an addict's inner life, Permanent Midnight follows Stahl through the dregs of addiction and into sobriety. In 1998, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Maria Bello starred in a film version of Permanent Midnight to much acclaim. Nic Sheff, author of Tweak, writes the introduction to this edition.
Set against the backdrop of 1970's counterculture, the story follows sixteen-year-old Bobby Stark as he navigates the chaotic landscape of desire and angst. Amidst the fading ideals of the hippie movement, Bobby grapples with his identity and sanity in a vibrant yet tumultuous world. The narrative explores themes of love, youth, and the search for meaning in a society that feels increasingly disjointed.
From Cocaine, the most troubling and fascinating of substances; through Speed, an oft demonized and misunderstood drug; and on to Heroin, long seen as the most 'literary' of narcotics - the contributors to this all-new original anthology reveal that those who partake are forever changed, but the price of paradise is often steep. The Hard Drug Chronicles runs to over 700 pages and contains more than 40 all new stories from Lee Child, Jerry Stahl, Ken Bruen, Laura Lippman, Nina Revoyr, James Franco, Sherman Alexie, William T. Vollmann, Megan Abbott, James Greer and more.
The collection features a range of short stories that explore themes of eccentric romance, the struggles of adolescence, mid-life crises, and family dysfunction. With a blend of perverse humor and poignant moments, the author delves into the complexities of human relationships, presenting a unique perspective on life's challenges and quirks.
From acclaimed writer Jerry Stahl comes a breakout novel that elevates crime fiction to new heights of twisted brilliance. With sharp wit and vivid detail, Stahl delves into the minds of addicts, detectives, fetishists, and killers, presenting a vision of American misfits amidst violent crime, corruption, and drug-fueled schemes, all intertwined with genuine love. The plot, described as crack noir, follows two pipe-heads who accidentally steal a photo of George W. Bush's presidential package and attempt to blackmail the Republican Party. However, their plans are thwarted when a clever nurse, Tina, takes the photo for herself. Tina has her own troubles, having just killed her online husband with Drano-laced cereal. When Manny Rubert, a scarred ex-junkie turned detective, is called to investigate the husband's death, he finds himself unexpectedly falling for Tina. As they plot their future and the fate of the presidential photo, they face relentless obstacles from police chiefs and dangerous crackheads. This tale blends violence and comedy into a shocking love story, showcasing contemporary insanity in a thrilling narrative. Critics praise it as a radical mix of humor and weirdness, with some calling it hilariously funny and a potential contender for literary accolades.
