Expiration Date (Duane Swierczynski)




I don’t know why, but about every few times i go to Powell’s Books, i end up checking out the shelf that holds Duane’s work. i am never expecting anything new, i don’t know what i am expecting to be different, but it looks like repetition does eventually breed results. When i was there over the weekend, look what was waiting for me.. Expiration date, a book i didn’t even know was ready for release…
So, what the hell is this book about? self discover and that exact moment when your life ends and becomes seemingly unrelated to everything you know.
okaaay, can you be a bit more cryptic Jason?
fine- Its about a man dying on the floor of page one, breaking it down to you why he has 3 bullets in him.
its about fucking with things just because you can. then, just because you want to… and later… because you damn well know you shouldn’t, but do anyway..
Quick synopsis:? Mickey Wade is an out of work Journalist with no real drive. he has virtually no money, no girlfriend, no job, and moves into his grandfathers apt in order to save money on rent.grandfather is in a coma and not using it.
His first night in the apartment, with a horrible headache, he cracks into a bottle of Tylenol in the medicine cabinet. something is not quite right with these expired pills, as Mickey finds himself spending the next couple hours reliving his birthday… his actual birthday.. in 1972..
Expiration Date is a Science fiction novel minus the science fiction, a Detective novel with out a detective. it is a nice crossover between Hard-Boiled and Noir fiction, in the classic vein of the Maltese Falcon, but with a sprinkling of Quantum Leap..
All around, Expiration Date was a fantastic read. die hard fans may bitch that it lacked the crazed drive that The Blond/Severance Package carried, but don’t listen to those fools. This is definitely a genre novel and is not a negative in the slightest. just buy it and give it a shot, if you are not hooked by page 3, i will be surprised.
oh, and it should be noted, there is some awesome artwork through out the book. :)
~~
Note to publisher..
What were you thinking when you made the cover for this book? NO NO.. the image is fine, i like the art. What i am talking about is the fact that you used a glossy cover with a modern feel to it..
What happened to the rough pulp cover that made severance package really feel tangible? the rough cover added to the experience, making the book seem even more like the pulp that likely inspired them all. This would have been a noticed and appreciated touch on Expiration Date as well.
you did something really right with SP, you should have carried it over instead of following the standard publishing paradigm. Shiny does not always = sales!

Comments

  1. AmandaMay 6, 2010 at 11:51 AM

    I want this book! I loved the cover, but you've convinced me.

    I. Really. Want. To. Read. This. Book.

    P.s. Thanks for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. erisianMay 6, 2010 at 12:01 PM

    its worth it for sure. not the greatest novel ever written, but damned enjoyable all the same.

    PS, welcome.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Expiration Date / Duane Swierczynski – Rat's ReadingMay 25, 2010 at 2:03 AM

    [...] FNORDincorporated [...]

    ReplyDelete

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