The misfortunates
Subtitle: a novel
By: Dimitri Verhulst ; translated from the Dutch by David Colmer
Contributors: Colmer, David, 1960- translator
Edition: First U.S. edition.
Published: 2013
Language: eng
Number of pages: 199
ISBN-13: 9781250035165; 9781250035172
Subjects: Bars (Drinking establishments); Dysfunctional families; Humorous; Biographical; Fathers and sons; FICTION; Coming of Age; Alcoholics; Fiction
Work titles: Helaasheid der dingen
Description: "Sobriety and moderation are alien concepts to the men in Dimmy's family. Useless in all other respects, his three uncles have a rare talent for drinking, a flair for violence, and an unwavering commitment to the pub. And his father Pierre is no slouch either. Within hours of his son's birth, Pierre plucks him from the maternity ward, props him on his bike, and takes him on an introductory tour of the village bars. His mother soon leaves them to it and as Dimmy grows up amid the stench of stale beer, he seems destined to follow the path of his forebears and make a low-life career in inebriation, until he begins to piece together his own plan for the future. Bringing to life the shambolic upbringing that The Guardian describes as, "the odd, ugly, excremental poetry of their grubby lives," The Misfortunates "can be unexpectedly tender as well as uncomfortably funny ... this novel continually surprises and intrigues.""--
Notes: "First published in Dutch as De helaasheid der dingen by Uitgeverij Contact, the Netherlands"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references and index.