The Drop Edge of Yonder

by Rudolph Wurlitzer

Book Overview

Published to wide acclaim in April 2008 in the US, Wurlitzer's fifth novel, his first in 25 years, furthers the author's exploration of the American West and the idea of the frontier. In this adventurous novel, Wurlitzer explores the truth and temptations of the American myth. Beginning in the savage wilds of Colorado in the waning days of the fur trade, the story follows Zebulon, a mountain man who has had a curse placed on him by a mysterious Native...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 097638955X
• ISBN13: 9780976389552
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Two Dollar Radio
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Awesome! Loved it!

Really a great read. Couldn't put it down. Never wanted it to end. Rudolph Wurlitzer writes with the alacrity of a screenwriter, the lyricism of a poet and of course the storytelling of a great novelist which he surely is.

Simply incredible

I can't say too much here as I am in the process of reviewing this book for Pop Matters but as a major league Wurlitzer fan I wanted to hop on here to say that "Drop Edge" is well worth the wait. I hate to use the shopworn phrase "metaphysical western" but, really, it applies and the theosophic bent of the story grows on the reader casually -- if anything, Wurlitzer is redundant with his symbolism (Queen of Hearts, anyone?)to ensure that we're getting his point. To the point that it almost becomes a heavy-handed joke. But as Wurlitzer, in the voice of Mexican seer Plaxico, says, "Let it go." By the way, if the plot seems rather similar to Jim Jarmusch's movie "Dead Man" ... well, that's because "Drop Edge" was a circulated screenplay for many years under the title "Zebulon" and Jarmusch (along with Hal Ashby and Alex Cox at other junctions) once had it under option. Yeah. He ripped off Wurlitzer. But we got a superior novel out of the deal.

The Drop Edge of Yonder

"The Drop Edge of Yonder" by Rudy Wurlitzer is a brilliantly written ride through an old west that's infinitely more interesting than the reality probably was.Its funny, provocative and completely crazy. Wurlitzer puts words together as well if not better than anyone out there.

ragged glory

I love, love, love Two Lane Blacktop, so when I saw R.W. had put out a new novel I pounced on it and found a book that at first glance seems redolent of Blood Meridian and other C. McCarthy books, but turned quickly into it's own hairy creation with a far more spiritual and humanistic aim and approach despite all the resonant violence and inhumanity it depicts. I wholly recommend it.

hurrah for mountain doin's!

I'm loving the book. I just recently became aware of this band called Earth, which is like country and western doom metal moving at the pace of molasses. It's really beautiful and sweet. I have REALLY been enjoying doing these two things at the same time. It kind of feels like going to the movies. The Drop Edge of Yonder is like reading the screenplay of The Wild Bunch remade with David Lynch directing instead of Sam Peckinpah. Highly recommended.