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hi all i havent had the chance to hear steve on the radio due to time differences between tu us and uk (northern ireland) but i have had the good fortune to have read "Doghouse Roses" steves collection of short stories.i cant recomend the book highly enough to anyone that hasnt read it unfortunately i lent my copy to someone and still havent gotten it back so if you havent read it go get it you will thank me for it

What is it ever about?

Hey Viky

Doghouse Roses is a book of short stories written by Steve. I bought the book awhile back, but have only read the first story. I heard that the stories are based roughly on Steve's own experiences.

The first story was very good - takes place in Los Angeles, so I was very familiar with many details of the story. "Bobby", the main character, who I believe is really "Steve"... liked to run away from his problems by driving out to the desert to a very special spot called Joshua Tree.

 Coincidentally, Joshua Tree is also the place that I "run away" to, to get away from Los Angeles.. It's a beautiful, peaceful, quiet place in the desert that has these jumbo rock formations that look like they have faces on them. There is a very healing quality about Joshua Tree - it's amazing that hardly anyone is ever there when I go there. I thought that it was pretty cool that the characters in Steve's book also liked to go to Joshua Tree....

I am looking forward to reading the other stories.... as soon as I finish reading "Hardcore Troubadour..."

 

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Somebody somewhere said "love is a prison" but no one really wants to be free....

Thanks! Inform about them.

I may try to buy it after my examinations.

So it isn't any kind of left-wing propaganda?  

no it doesnt seem to have any underlying agenda but then i am politically niaeve and maybe didnt pick up on it.they are just dam good stories it is kind of an album of songs in story form ie with a narrative and dialogue i would urge you to go and get it i read it cover to cover a number of times

Viky:

So it isn't any kind of left-wing propaganda?  

Not unless you consider social realism to be left-wing propaganda. I'm sure you'll enjoy his writing Viky. 

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kmb117:

We don't have a cure for cancer but we've got 16 million different versions of the Lord of the Rings. What. The. Fuck.

Hi Viky, I have read Doghouse Roses stories several times now...it is as Steve himself has said, somewhat autobiographical, to the extent that some of the story plots and characters are based on his own life experiences or the those of people he knew.  Especially the first short story in the book.  I found Doghouse Roses really interesting and it gave me a greater understanding of what Steve is about.  I would not say it is in any way propaganda.  Social realism is a very good description.  Am looking forward to his novel which he is working on.  

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"I got me a fearless heart"

OK, in that case I must have it!!!

(Nothing against social reality. It's not only that I'm right-wing for many reasons. USA haven't lived for 40 years under socialist totality unlike Czechoslovakia and when I see the red star above this forum it is same or even worse (considering all the deads and potential danger) as if there was a swastika.)

 And the novel, any information about it?
 

Viky:

OK, in that case I must have it!!!

(Nothing against social reality. It's not only that I'm right-wing for many reasons. USA haven't lived for 40 years under socialist totality unlike Czechoslovakia and when I see the red star above this forum it is same or even worse (considering all the deads and potential danger) as if there was a swastika.)

 And the novel, any information about it?
 

I'm not gonna go all 'political'. But as a socialist, I have to point out that the regime in Czechoslovakia SUCKED! I am with you 100% on that Viky. You can rest assured that, as socialists, neither Steve Earle or myself want another regime in the world resembling what you had. If I had lived under the former regime in your country, I had been sent to jail.

Have a good weekend Viky (and the rest of y'all), I'm gonna turn off my computer and head out into the sun shortly. 

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kmb117:

We don't have a cure for cancer but we've got 16 million different versions of the Lord of the Rings. What. The. Fuck.

why do people always look for the negatives doghouse roses is put simply a collection of short stories meant to be read and enjoyed not analysed or thought about deeply you read the book put it down ang go on with your life simple

Hey, I had no idea what are Doghouse Roses about, that's why I asked, that's all. Considering it was written in Steve's revolutionary days (or wasn't) it could easily be about "Rich Man's Wars". And I would probably read it anyway ;-)

Magnus > BTW I always wondered how is it possible, that "welfare state" in Sweden works. Seems like anywhere else such attempts always failed and caused a lot of evil eventually. But I don't know the details of course.

And concerning the "Soviet" socialism, it was rather a reaction to the red star above this forum. The same ones could be found on top of gates to Soviet concentration camps or working camps in Czechoslovakia in 50s. The symbol was abused the exactly same way as swastika so I can't understand why modern and reasonable socialists in western countries still use it.

But I am not the kind who would like to make a mess because of it. Just had to express myself. We'd better go on talking about Steve's writing. I'm still curious about his new novell. ;-)

 
Have a nice weekend!
 

Viky:

And concerning the "Soviet" socialism, it was rather a reaction to the red star above this forum. The same ones could be found on top of gates to Soviet concentration camps or working camps in Czechoslovakia in 50s. The symbol was abused [...] I can't understand why modern and reasonable socialists in western countries still use it.

We still use it, because to us it symbolizes Brotherhood, Freedom & Equality. Not slave labour & concentration camps. Like you yourself wrote, the symbols were indeed abused, by powermad dictators who couldn't care less about the working people (or just 'people' if you will). I definitely respect your antagonism against those symbols. I think I understand you, at least I try my best to.

With respect, my friend Viky. 

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kmb117:

We don't have a cure for cancer but we've got 16 million different versions of the Lord of the Rings. What. The. Fuck.

troubador:

why do people always look for the negatives doghouse roses is put simply a collection of short stories meant to be read and enjoyed not analysed or thought about deeply you read the book put it down ang go on with your life simple

A bit grumpy today are we?

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kmb117:

We don't have a cure for cancer but we've got 16 million different versions of the Lord of the Rings. What. The. Fuck.

Haha!  I think many of us tend to be an overanalyzing bunch dear troubador!!  It's all good...you have a point!  Just read the fuc!@#$g book, live a little and then move on!  :)  I hate to blaspheme, but I didn't like the book too much!  I guess I should perhaps give it another shot from a non-analytical perspective.  I will probably dig it!

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A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us ~ Franz Kafka (1883-1924)