DRUNK TALK

An unnamed narrator offers opinions on a wide range of topics in this eclectic, barroom-oriented work of fiction.

In this book, author Davis and poet Banks call on readers to imagine themselves at a bar eavesdropping on the cacophony of drunken conversations that surround them. In 48 short essays (or “discussions,” as the book calls its chapters), their fictional speaker offers readers “an in-depth look at the world” through the lens of a man emboldened by so-called “liquid smarts.” Written with a careful balance of wit, cursing, and earnest insight, the book tackles myriad issues that span from fashion and celebrities to “The Nature of People” and “The Problem With Philosophers.” Although much of the book is tongue-in-cheek, it tackles serious topics with panache, arguing, for instance, that racism stems from weakness, jealousy, and self-hatred. True to its barroom mise-en-scène, the chapters are interspersed with “drunken thoughts,” “drunken definitions,” and other “random drunk shit,” which include practical life tips and “Drunken Quotes To Keep You Focused” (such as “Never stand underneath what you can’t lift”) and horoscopes centered on readers’ drinks of choice; those downing tequila shots, the narrator predicts, will soon experience an “unexpected event.” Some readers will find the book’s proclivity toward bathroom humor, cursing, and sex talk off-putting. However, others may find themselves nodding in agreement as they meander through its eclectic takes, which are generally lighthearted and never mean-spirited. It’s a concise collection—fewer than 150 pages—but one that manages to offer a rare blend of earthiness and wisdom.

A smart, crass, and often humorous take on life and society.