People pay for what they do, and still more for what they have allowed themselves to become. And they pay for it very simply; by the lives they lead. -James Baldwin
Here’s what I’m tripping on: I ran into author Sydney Molare on Facebook, checked out some excerpts of her hot new joint, I Want It Now, was impressed, and solicited her to send me a review copy. In between here and there, a new Kerouac bio, a re-read of Herb Boyd’s Baldwin bio, managing my extensive porno collection, making plans for a hedonist-trip to Chicago, book reviewing, Sanford & Son reruns, Golden Girls marathons, salt and vinegar chips, and banana and strawberry smoothies – !FINALLY! – Molare’s much anticipated package arrived. Lips watering, hands shaking, composure collected, I grabbed the package from my tiny narrow P.O. Box, and re-boarded the train towards downtown Phoenix where I’d have lunch at Tipps 88 Thai Restaurant over on University Drive. I sat in my favorite spot, sipped water, dipped spring rolls, stirred egg-drop soup, and stared at the hot Thai waitress’s firm ass before I opened up the floppy package. !KERPLUNK! !KERPLEWY! Instead, what I got was The Devil’s Orchestra…. a book Molare published FOUR years ago.
“Siamese Chowmein for you, sir!”
“Yes! Thank you, Bendi!”
Bendi (the waitress) poured more water, asked if I was “all set” then left me to deal with the disappointment that Molare had not sent me what I assumed she would send, her newest novel. But, true to the PNR credo, I read the book and here are my thoughts:
Everybody sells out at some point in their lives, careers, etc. Whether we know it or not, or whether we would ever admit to it, we sell out. And those of us who haven’t have yet to be presented with a golden opportunity grand enough to make the leap…into infinite sin-dom…with cleared check to tote. Molare’s story focuses on the lives of three successful individuals. Juan Rodriguez the gay writer, Deva the rock star, and Tab the radio personality are all at the top of their game. Where there is success there is certain to be pride…and then comes the fall. Like a Canterbury trip gone astray, the trio make dubious deals, intersect at the Shoat’s Head Tavern, and soon realize that they must make life altering decisions or perish in the abyss of the lives they lead.
Molare’s novel is colorful, vivid, and imaginative, and her characters are nicely painted on a holy canvas of suspense and deception. All of the seven sins are thematically apparent in this novel and Molare does a decent job exploring these issues, presenting the dilemma, and posing the question. But she does not excluded us from the story, instead she challenges us to wrestle with the spiritual dimensions of our humanity and forces us to think about our own lives and our own problems, and just how vulnerable we are to hidden evil forces.
The overall structure of the novel’s plot is one of redemption. Either you straighten up and fly right, or burn in the fiery river of hell. And this is the bottom line of Molare’s novel. Get right or else. These characters must decide if they want everlasting life or choose to succumb to their lifestyles. Devil’s Orchestra is not a flawless book (I hated the book cover, and I believe it detracts from the seriousness of the books intent), but it has a good message, and Molare is a good writer. On that note, I bless the Devil’s Orchestra.
4/5
what about the kennedys 
Amazing article! I’ll have to come back when I have more time to post. You’ve been bookmarked.
LikeLike