Sky Full of Sand

by Rick DeMarinis

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0939767473
• ISBN13: 9780939767472
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Dennis McMillan Publications
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

amazing great book

I don't understand how this book is not being published anymore! In Europe it's actually a "hidden" secret and many people are trying to find the book so I bought it several times to send to Europe as it's almost impossible to find there in English.

Outrageous "border" crime novel

Humourous, outrageous, and entertaining though sad crime novel by the author of "Year Of The Zinc Penny": set in El Paso, Texas/Juarez, Mexico, it's about about a landlord of a seedy motel/apartment complex who gets involved with a drug money -laundering scheme at a local bank because of his involvement in a local dominatrix sex club. These scenes early in the novel remind me a little bit of the orgy scenes in Stanley Kubrick's film "Eyes Wide Shut." It is hard to imagine a human sensibility that is not offended by some aspect of this novel. Uriah Walkinghorse, the chief character,a divorced former champion steroid-using body builder, who at age 42 is trying to keep his body in shape,has a master's degree and comes from a family of adopted siblings, one of whom is a successful world-travelling lawyer, one a UPS driver, a black sister, and a hopelessly drug- addicted brother. Numerous secondary characters including his father and mother, the drug kingpin/bank president and a bar owner, and sex scenes carry the plot forward with numerous twists and turns, including several notable scenes in Mexico and in New Mexico. A very good playful time despite numerous gangland-style killings, drownings, and assorted thugs and addicts,some of them called "huffers", and numerous scenes in the apartments of some of the dregs of society. The contrast between these sad people and those who profit from the drug trade is notable and a little bit reminiscent of Orson Welles' 1950's film "Touch Of Evil", and also of Kim Basinger's more recent film "L.A. Confidential" about the L.A. underworld in the 1950's. ( although there are few cops in this novel). Also for better or for worse it is reminiscent of other more recent violence-soaked films about drug dealing like "The Punisher" or Cate Blanchett's "Veronica Guerin" or even "Heaven."

I despise "crime fiction"...

and would not have bothered with this book if I had had any inkling it was trying to cater to the "crime fiction" crowd. People who habitually read mysteries, romance novels, crime fiction, etc. should not be allowed to vote, drive, or reproduce, IMHO. I was lured into DeMarinis' clutches by the mention of Democritus on the cover, and kept on the hook by the everchanging dangling modifiers posted over the bar which the protagonist frequents. In the end, this book is too smart for the readers it is trying to attract, and too dumb for the talents and potential of its author. But it's a good read, full of sex and violence and sprinkled here and there with real wit, human emotion, and not a few interesting takes on old ideas. It took me two hours to read, the second half of which was during quick three- or four-minute breaks at my music job, when I didn't have to be playing. That should tell you its level of depth. A solid four-stars from me to the "Crumley" crowd (whoever the heck they are) and a wink and a nod to sentient beings.

A friend of James Crumley

and Crumley writes the intro. If that is not enough of a recommendation, you need to read more. Our hero is another man of dubious goals, who becomes involved with very bad people, while looking for employment and love in all the wrong places. Good action. Interesting grammar. South Texas has a hero.