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Title: Innovative use of the English language
Review: "The Death of Sweet Mister" is one of the best books I've read this year. It's the dark story of one Shug Akins (whose real name is Morris), a fat thirteen-year-old boy with a ditzy, tartish mother and a reprehensible, low-life stepfather named Red who forces Shug to steal drugs for him. They live in a cemetery. These are fascinating characters and, even though abusive fathers or stepfathers are overdone as a subject for fiction, Daniel Woodrell has a unique and original approach to this subject matter. Unlike some current writers, he can convey much in a few (very interesting) words. "The Death of Sweet Mister" is the first book I've read by Daniel Woodrell, and I plan to seek out his other books. I highly recommend it for the serious reader interested in current American literature. It gives you a chance to see how good it can be.
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