I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I'm godawful at keeping my Goodreads up-to-date, but the best book I've come across recently is this one. I highly recommend the audiobook, read by the author. Earle's rasping country voice lends a hugely to the recounting, especially the occasional bursting into a line or two of Hank Williams's songs. The prose is gorgeous. The characters are flawed, but extraordinarily endearing. The depiction of the end of the lives of Hank Williams, Doc Ebersole, and even JFK moved me to tears. I plan on purchasing the novel in text to more fully absorb it than I could while listening in the car. I'm certain I'll want to listen to it again, as well. Even if Earle never writes another book, his literature has made an indelible mark on me. I can only dream of writing something of this caliber, but it makes me want to try.Highly, highly recommended. Steve Earle is able to carry his song-writing skills, emotions, and authenticity into the written word very well."I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" spins the death of Hank Williams into a tale of the doctor who "may" have given Hank the morphine shot that killed him. Haunted (and I mean literally) by that incident, Doc becomes a disbarred doctor in the slums of San Antonio, caring for the prostitutes, junkies, criminals, and more.Doc's life takes a turn when a young Mexican girl enters his world. This book is raw, authentic, and full of things you don' want to think about. But in the end there is redemption which makes you glad you read the book.
What do You think about I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive (2011)?
On audiobook this was a treat. Steve earles voice is so nice!
—JellyCat
I really liked this book. It was raw, honest, sweet.
—cilla
