WE, THE DROWNED

"What was the difference? The difference was that the sea respected our manhood. The cannons didn't."

—page 38, We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen

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I remember the days when I began one book, read it in it's entirety, and finished it before I started another. I was more focused and less distracted then. It seems like eons ago.

Anyway, I am still in the middle of three other books, all somewhat related to Moby Dick and/or Herman Melville, but have decided to delve into one more. The book is We, The Drowned by Carsten Jensen, and I am ever so glad I did.

The opening section, "The Boots," could easily stand on its own as a lengthy short story or a short novella. In fact, it works so well as an independent piece that it reminded me of when the prologue of Don DeLillo's Underworld, "The Triumph of Death," was republished as the novella Pafko at the Wall: The Shot Heard Round the World (after initially being published in Harper's magazine prior to its incorporation into the novel, in slightly different form). "The Boots" could easily be published on its own, and I say that having not read any further in the novel. It is such a strong and satisfying piece.

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"The Boots" concerns Laurids Madsen ascending into heaven, having Saint Peter moon him as he approaches the pearly gates, and returning to the deck of the ship that he has just left. Laurids returns, he is certain, because of his sea boots. The truth surrounding his "ascension," "epiphany," and "return from the heavens" is as comical as it is tragic. It changes Laurids forever. You really need to find a copy of We, the Drowned and read it for yourself.