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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Evenson's New Book 'Contagion' Called 'Menacing, Chilly'
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON -- LDS Church member and former BYU english professor
Brian Evenson has a new collection of short stories out, but the collection,
like his previous books, is unlikely to be read by most LDS Church members.
Like his previous work, Evenson's "Contagion" is "stark, dark and violent,"
says the Seattle Times' Richard Wallace.
Also like his previous stories, those in "Contagion" are heavily influenced
by Mormon and Western themes. The Mormon influence on his work goes as far
as the prose itself, which Wallace says uses biblical themes and phrasing.
He also calls Evenson's themes "sacred profanity" meaning "God's word going
horribly wrong, as syntax destroys meaning and attempts to codify thought
lead to blind obedience."
This particular collection of stories also includes themes of language,
including stories with titles like "The Polygamy of Language," and the title
story, "Contagion," which Wallace calls "an elegant examination of the
menacing nature of language and belief."
Source:
Menacing, chilly 'Contagion'
Seattle WA Times 16Aug00 A2
By Richard Wallace: Special to The Seattle Times
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