Book Review: Black Bottle Man by Craig Russell

Black Bottle Man: A Fable by Craig Russell

Rembrandt has lived a long hard life. He grew up on a farm with his parents, two aunts, and two uncles. The aunts were childless and, in a fit of desperation, turn to the dark arts to get what they want. The titular Black Bottle Man comes in secret and teaches them how to mark themselves to get what they want. The secret wasn't easy to hide and the price was their souls. One uncle lost it and left. The other two men, Pa and Uncle Thompson, make a pact with the Devil--they need to find a champion to beat the Devil and thus win the women's souls back. The men have to wander, never staying in one place for more than twelve days. The Devil's final condition is that Rembrandt, then nine years old, also has to become a wanderer. The story follows his life as he searches, finding love and loss and few people willing to try to be champions.

The book's basic, semi-familiar premise is off-set by how the narrative plays out. The story moves back and forth from the past to the current time (2007 in the book), revealing more of what's going on and establishing the bleak prospects of Rembrandt. The hobo lifestyle brings a lot of heartache with occasional hopeful opportunities. The three men learn to make hobo signs that give them magical powers, like becoming invisible, catching fish, and summoning police (which usually doesn't work out too well). The storytelling has a very sacramental look at reality--physical things have spiritual symbolism, meaning, and affectiveness. The material and the spiritual are intimately related, like body and soul. The title calls this a fable. It does have a mythic quality (what story of fighting the Devil doesn't?) and the earthiness of real life. The book is very enjoyable and reads quickly.

Recommended.