I've been meaning to read at least one of Joe R. Lansdale's novels for a long time. A friend of mine is a huge fan, and Lansdale's Hap Collins and Leonard Pine series have been heartily recommended to me from many sources. Then, for my birthday, I received a copy of Freezer Burn, one of Lansdale's more recent books.

Freezer Burn follows the downward plummet of Bill Roberts, a reprobate who ain't too bright, and always takes the easy option in life. His Mama has died, and instead of taking any action - including cashing in her Social Security checks (he's too scared to forge her signature) - he allows Ma Roberts to slowly rot in the upstairs bedroom as his money whittles away and the electricity is turned off. Bill decides to rob the firecracker stand across the street from his house, and enlists the help of two loser friends. It's coming up to the fourth of July, so that stand will take in a lot of money. It's a simple job, and even Bill can't screw it up, right?

Wrong. Bill ends up hiding in a swamp from an insanely-cursing cop, and getting his face spectacularly bitten by mosquitoes. So much so when he drags himself away the snakes and gators he's rescued by a travelling Freak Show, headed up by John Frost, and featuring such characters as Rex (Conrad) the human Wonder Dog, the Bearded Lady, the Pickled Punks, and the Ice Man. Bill has an opportunity to make a home for himself among these people, but his talent for messing up his life means he begins to look lustfully upon Gidget, the sexy trailer-trash wife of John Frost.

Freezer Burn is a challenging story for a writer to attempt. At the beginning of the novel, Bill is prejudiced, stupid, and not the kind of man with whom most readers want to identify. The book is written from Bill's point of view (not first person, but focused third) so the reader gets right into his head. What keeps you reading is Lansdale's skill as a writer, and Bill's slow development into someone who approximates a decent human being. Initially Bill is disgusted by the "freaks" at the show, but end ups viewing one of the most deformed - Conrad, the quick-tempered knife-wielding human dog - as a good friend. It's a slow change, prompted by the genuine aid Bill is given by John Frost, and the friendship he receives from people whose physical differences isolate them from mainstream society.

Lansdale's prose is a wonder. It's gritty, sparse, evocative, and full of hilarious metaphors and phrases. It's Mark Twain for the 21st Century.

I have a minor quibble with the book, and that's because of a change in point of view that occurs in the last couple of chapters. In a sense Lansdale cheats the reader in order to get the ending he wants; I thought it was unsatisfactory and a disappointment for what was otherwise a fine read. Yet, it's forgiveable when you consider the rich characters he brings to life, and his thorough understanding of human behaviour and the foibles that drag us down.

Despite the ending I will read more of Lansdale's work; he is a masterful storyteller with a well-honed skill for writing. It's a pleasure to read his books, and that's an experience I cherish.