What do you think?
Rate this book
David Olimpio
This collection includes 3 powerful essays and a poem from David Olimpio, second featured author from Awst Press. They explore childhood, friendship, abuse, grief, and addiction. The reader will immediately recognize neighborhood life in the innocent games boys play before being waylaid by the perils lurking behind the doors.
“David Olimpio’s writing ought to come in vinyl. There’s sizzle and pop to every line, and enough rhythm to dance to. But while you’re busy dancing, Olimpio sneaks in the heavy stuff to lay you out flat.”
— Eric Shonkwiler, author of Above All Men
“Writing from the intersection of memory and meaning, David Olimpio steers you into narratives full of reckoning—and they’re never what you were expecting. As he journeys his way through life’s complexities, he takes up the challenge of translating past pains into illuminating words on a page. And he wins every time. His prose stretches far beyond figuring out the past with a pen—rather, it reaches out, grabs your hand and once you’re in his world, you’ll never want to leave.”
— Chelsey Clammer, Essays Editor of The Nervous Breakdown and author of BodyHome
“David Olimpio is the most present writer I know, an accidental soul man using his words and pictures to map the intersection of frustration and joy. His immediacy leaves no room for cynicism or other protections, so it is appropriate that the body of work, so far, is ambitious and vagabond, including memoir, fiction, photography, poetry, and social media. He may write devastating pieces on addiction or child abuse that leave you shaking, or he may show you a captioned photograph of his dog that, as it breaks the boundaries of meme, perfectly captures an existential conclusion, otherwise inexpressible. (You’ll have to look at his photography blog to see what I mean). In the end I think what’s clear is that David teaches us a very good that every opportunity for communication is an opportunity to be artful. ”
— Laura Ellen Scott, author of the novels Death Wishing (Ig Publishing, 2011) and The Juliet (forthcoming, Pandamoon Publishing, 2015)
“David Olimpio’s writing ought to come in vinyl. There’s sizzle and pop to every line, and enough rhythm to dance to. But while you’re busy dancing, Olimpio sneaks in the heavy stuff to lay you out flat.”
— Eric Shonkwiler, author of Above All Men
“Writing from the intersection of memory and meaning, David Olimpio steers you into narratives full of reckoning—and they’re never what you were expecting. As he journeys his way through life’s complexities, he takes up the challenge of translating past pains into illuminating words on a page. And he wins every time. His prose stretches far beyond figuring out the past with a pen—rather, it reaches out, grabs your hand and once you’re in his world, you’ll never want to leave.”
— Chelsey Clammer, Essays Editor of The Nervous Breakdown and author of BodyHome
“David Olimpio is the most present writer I know, an accidental soul man using his words and pictures to map the intersection of frustration and joy. His immediacy leaves no room for cynicism or other protections, so it is appropriate that the body of work, so far, is ambitious and vagabond, including memoir, fiction, photography, poetry, and social media. He may write devastating pieces on addiction or child abuse that leave you shaking, or he may show you a captioned photograph of his dog that, as it breaks the boundaries of meme, perfectly captures an existential conclusion, otherwise inexpressible. (You’ll have to look at his photography blog to see what I mean). In the end I think what’s clear is that David teaches us a very good that every opportunity for communication is an opportunity to be artful. ”
— Laura Ellen Scott, author of the novels Death Wishing (Ig Publishing, 2011) and The Juliet (forthcoming, Pandamoon Publishing, 2015)
ebook
First published March 17, 2015
About the author
David Olimpio
4 books68 followersDavid Olimpio grew up in Texas, but currently lives and writes in Northern New Jersey. He believes that we create ourselves through the stories we tell, and that is what he aims to do every day. Usually, you can find him driving his truck around the Garden State with his dog. He has been published in Barrelhouse The Nervous Breakdown, Awst Press, The Austin Review, Rappahannock Review, Crate, and others. You can find more about him at davidolimpio.com, including links to his writing and photography. He tweets every day about a broad range of important topics, from the ontological meaning of dog-poop bags to the erotic potential of red velvet cake. He would love for you to join him: @notsolinear.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 27, 2015
David's stories allow you to relax into the comfortable memories of childhood, growing up in the suburbs, hanging with friends, or enjoying your dogs. Before you know it, he's snuck an emotional powder keg into the mix.
Displaying 1 of 1 review