The blurb: At twenty-two, Allison Johnson is a lost young woman in need of a new start.
Down among the lowlifes in Las Vegas, clinging to drink and to Jimmy, the abusive boyfriend whose child she is expecting, she has hit rock bottom.
So when the opportunity arises to escape, Allison knows she must take it.
She reaches Reno with just a few dollars and her ever-present best friend - Paul Newman.
And as she struggles to start a better life it is imaginary conversations with the movie star's greatest characters and real acts of kindness from people she barely knows that might just rescue her from the difficult world she has found herself in.
Vlautin reading a passage from the chapter entitled 'T J Watson'. I love the guitar accompaniment in the background. Wish more authors would read out like this:
My take: Northline (2008) follows The Motel Life (2006) which I finished reading a few days ago. If you can call Vlautin's style of writing soulful, then it is a soulful piece of fine writing. The success of this book is in the fine details of Allison's everyday life. Again, the plot is simple and the writing is spare, and these combine to make the book a real comforting read. Vlautin sure knows how to tell a story. If there is one thing I have picked out from reading this book, it is to lighten up when things get us down. I reckon it is another successful book by Vlautin.
www.willyvlautin.com
Rating: 4/5
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