3/4ths Another Bullshit Night In Suck City, 1/4th Some Ether, 100% Nick Flynn

Initially I was suckered in by the title, Another Bullshit Night in Suck City. Honestly, who wouldn’t (quite proudly) carry around a book  with an explosive title like that? Not to mention the simplicity of the book cover which spawned various images (in my mind at least) of some anal-retentive print maker meticulously mixing inks while occasionally throwing fits about finger prints and paper weight. In all seriousness though, before I even read the book I actually spent a good deal analyzing the book cover, but I promise not to bore you with any of that. Let's discuss  the actual material between the cover shall we?

I had previously read two books of poetry by Nick Flynn: Some Ether and The Captain Asks For a Show of Hands; naturally I was curious to see how Flynn’s writing would translate into a larger, expansive piece. Since Nick Flynn is first most a poet, it comes as no surprise that his memoir is very lyrical at times. Nick Flynn’s memoir is enjoyable simply due in large part to Flynn’s  voice, diction, the poeticism of his words--there’s an authenticity to it that’s impossible to deny. Not to mention the slivers of humor that tends to show up during serious situations. 

 Had I not initially known this book was written by Nick Flynn, it would have become apparent a few pages in, simply because his style is distinct and easily recognizable. In fact, there are numerous parallels, specifically between Some Ether and Another Bullshit Night in Suck City; and for that I am glad to have read Some Ether beforehand because it provided the basic framework for what Nick Flynn’s memoir encompassed. His poetry at the very least prepared me for what I was about to dive into, and anyone who has read Nick Flynn's work would know that means diving into the deep end. I actually found myself shuffling back and forth through both books, comparing notes, names and situations (the mothers crazy Vietnam boyfriend, oh yes, he completely mentions that in the poem ‘Flashback’ and the bit about pie, drive-in movie-screens, all make sense now!) The memoir  in general provides an in-depth recollection of Nick Flynn’s childhood, his relation with his parents, specifically his father; whereas his book of poetry only scratches the surface of his childhood, and focuses primarily on the suicide of his mother. 

 In Some Ether, the book is divided into four sections, Another Bullshit Night in Suck City is no exception; the book is sliced into six parts and the chapters are rather short. The brief chapters actually lend itself to the quickness of the book, and are probably the only considerable length one could expect a poet to expand upon. Although most of the sections don’t have a particular arrangement, each include chapters reminiscing on childhood, Flynn’s dysfunctional father, the homeless center, and an abundance of Nick Flynn’s personal thoughts (no surprise there).

A good chunk of the story is devoted to Nick Flynn’s alcoholic father, Jonathan, and it seems that the memoir isn’t so much Nick Flynn’s as it is his fathers. In this sense, Jonathan finally has his story, albeit told through his son’s own story. Despite the fact Flynn seems somewhat detached towards his father through most of the memoir, there’s underlying empathy, enough to tell his father’s story, even naming the title of the book after a nickname his father had of his hometown. Flynn also recognizes and asks the agonizing question of whether or not he will become his father considering his own bout with alcoholism, his dire need to write, and his stint towards a downward spiral (he is his father’s son after all). Ultimately though, he lives though his mother does not, he cleans up his life though his father could not, and he becomes the writer his father would not.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the subtle underbelly of empathy and the way in which Nick Flynn strings his words along manages to find a balance.  If you need a book to give you a reason to appreciate your own vanilla life (let’s face it, compared to Nick Flynn’s life, most of ours pale in comparison) then Another Bullshit Night in Suck City is the way to go. If you choose to do so, I highly encourage you to  follow up with  Some Ether because the memoir and poetry complement each other quite nicely.