Carry On Dreaming is the sequel to Wards earlier novel, parasite joyous flashbacks amidst a crystal meth nightmare. Both books are in the Beat writer tradition; memoirs of the unknown, portraits of the artist, stories of commonplace melodrama, combined with a spiritual quest for life’s meaning, or meaninglessness. All of which he has threaded together into an epic immigrants tale.
I know Jeff Ward as a writer and a musician, and on both counts I expect the unexpected Carry On Dreaming is almost as fast-paced as a shot of speed. He not only surprises you, he tricks you, turning dire situations into near comedy, and vice versa. Even with the laughs, there is no glorification. He’s walked the trail that leads to the graveyard or prison bars, and has dedicated his work to his friends who never made it out. Fortunately, he’s lived to tell, and pulls words out of hats like rabbits. Surprise, surprise. Puma Perl, Retrograde, Knuckle Tattoos
With Parasite, Jeff Ward joined the ranks of Bukowski, Lydia Lunch, Dan Fante, Hunter Thompson, William Burroughs, Jerry Stahl, and Hubert Selby Jr. If you want to see how its done, read this book! Its that good Anyone interested in modern Outlaw underground literature at its best should have this one in their collection. Jonathan Shaw, Narcisa Our Lady Of Ashes
Here comes Jeff Wards new book. Engrossing and entertaining. A destructive and creative lust-for-life ... I did not want the trip, nor the book, to end.
