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The stray bullet that hit him made its way into his stomach and stayed there.
Its around this time that Orvil is prescribed an opioid, hydromorphone, for his pain.
It starts the buildup quickly right away, we know there will be a gun.
The scenes at the prison are a brief part of the novel but dreamlike and significant.
But he doesnt begin speaking again until he finally leaves the prison and takes his first sip of alcohol.
From there, time spins forward.
Orange is sly and flexible with his narrative approach in these early sections.
Theres a brief nonfiction prologue.
Ignore him yelling after you.
The author has said hes not that interested in writing scenes or dialogue hes more focused on voice.
This is a book where people talk when they have something to say and when they dont.
Their conversations are full of boredom, irritation, and affection.
Whys it gotta be so hard for people in this family to just be normal.
Not fuck with shit, says Orvils brother Loother.
Jacquie asks him with a laugh that he doesnt return.
Adults, in a sidelong way, give a shot to find out what the kids are up to.
We listen in on children stuck in a car together.
In one scene, Pratt spends a few pages thinking about Theodore Roosevelts bird-conservation campaign.
Some scenes feel lifelike in their miscellaneousness.
Phrases and images repeat without explanation, seemingly crucial but absent assigned meaning.
Some of them are afraid of it.
Others let it sleep in their bed.
The characters arent always interested in engaging with the heaviness of their situation.
Wandering Starsby Tommy Orangeis available today from Knopf.
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