Try

by Dennis Cooper

Book Overview

Simultaneously deadpan and queasily raw, Try is the story of Ziggy, the adopted teenaged son of two sexually abusive fathers whose failed experiment at nuclear-family domesticity has left him stranded with one and increasingly present in the fantasies of the other." He turns from both of these men to his uncle, who sells pornographic videos on the black market, and to his best friend, a junkie whose own vulnerability inspires in Ziggy a fierce...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080213338X
• ISBN13: 9780802133380
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Disturbingly Beautiful.

This is the third book of Cooper's that I have read (just finished actually...), and I am so moved I wanted to write a quick review. Cooper has this amazing ability to write about the most gruesome and chilling subject matter - things to horrific for most to even ponder- ,yet his characters are incredibly endearing and surprisingly easy to relate to. TRY is ultimately a love story, a tale of friendship and heartbreak, gorgeously written from the perspective of the varied main characters. A fascinating and touching read that I had a hard time putting down and would recommend to anyone.

this or "Guide" best for non-initiates

Cooper is the American Jean Genet and some aspects of his subject-matter may scare people off, but he writes amazingly beautiful prose, has an incredible ear for dialogue, and is quite funny even at his most dark. "Try" is actually a very appealing, offbeat love-story. Give Dennis Cooper a, well, try.

beautiful without trying

this is definitely my favorite of the 5-book series (frisk, try, guide, closer, period) that Cooper penned. i had admired his work from afar because for the longest time his choice of subject matter and deadpan prose often made me feel estranged from the characters and their situations. however, there is something to be said for his work as it has managed to attain a certain kind of distinguishment in my eyes which is perhaps an entirely personal sentiment, although a case could be made that it's not entirely personal. but i won't try. about the book: it is one of the most "emotional" of the 5-book series and has some of the most haunting passages and easy-to-identify characters (as far as the characters in Cooper's universe are concerned anyway!): the abusive father, the tragically misunderstood young man, the twisted relative, the aloof and obsessed admirer, and the suicidal compatriot. while there are a few other minor characters the above named are the most poignant and fully fleshed out (the aloof and obsessed admirer is narrated in the first-person) it helps to better understand just how difficult it is for the central character to relate to anyone, to understand their motives and situations, and ultimately to foresee any consequences. there is less of a recklessness in Cooper's storytelling with this novel and has perhaps the most optimistic "protagonist" of all the novels. this is saying a lot considering one of the story's more gruesome happenings, which is told in chillingly minimal language. in spite of these twists and turns in character development and plot cohesiveness the story reads fairly easy (if you're accustomed to Cooper's work) and is perhaps one of the most easily accessible as far as characterization and emotional depth go. but be warned, Cooper's writing has been and always will be for mature audiences only.

What's bigger, Cooper's heart or his nerve?

One of the warmest stories of friendship I've ever had the honor to read.Yes, it's edgy.Yes, it's sexual.But, when you get right down to it, it's about the love and friendship between these two boys. I must say, I was shocked by one scene in the book. Not so much because of the inappropriate behovior of the characters, but by the fact that Cooper had the nerve to be so.. so... un-p.c..Anyway, it's all warm fuzzies, only with teeth (not to mention fists...).

My favorite one!

This is by far my favorite book from Mr. Cooper. And it's his most accessible one yet because it is not as warped as his other works. I can't help but feel compassion for the ziggy character and love the storyline from beginning to end.A great one indeed!