« older | Main Largehearted Boy Page | newer »
October 12, 2022
James Wade's Playlist for His Novel "Beasts of the Earth"
In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book.
Previous contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Lauren Groff, Bret Easton Ellis, Celeste Ng, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Amy Bloom, Aimee Bender, Roxane Gay, and many others.
James Wade's novel Beasts of the Earth is a dark and lyrical pageturner. As surprising as it is compelling.
Library Journal wrote of the song:
"Wade returns with another stark and chilling tale...From reptiles in the swamp hunting prey, to reptilian men, cold and calculating, beasts feature in this disturbing novel...The prose is beautiful."
In his own words, here is James Wade's Book Notes music playlist for his novel Beasts of the Earth:
Beasts of the Earth began as a gnostic meditation on creation, nature (human and otherwise), and choice-- or, rather, how choice is impacted by trauma, by morality, by circumstance, etc. Lead character, Harlen LeBlanc, strives throughout the novel to make the "right" decisions in relation to a murder investigation that is taking place in his small town in 1980s Texas, but his grip on right-and-wrong and even his grip on reality begins to slip.
This playlist reflects Harlen's struggle, while also invoking some of the novel's gothic and dark religious undertones. In fact, every song on this list could easily be considered "dark," as could the novel. But there is something hopeful (or at the very least something conciliating) about facing down the darker truths of existence, admitting our fear, and then attempting to move forward. The novel includes some violence, some dark thematic material, and some uncomfortable questions, but I think that lends itself to the book’s ability to get inside of you and poke around, which is something I always look for as a reader and as a writer.
These songs do those same things. They call for emotional responses to emotional material, and hopefully they emphasize our humanity-- the beauty and the terror of it all.
Bartholomew - The Silent Comedy
There is clear Southern Gothic element to this track, and also a literal "sinking" feeling as the narrator begins "knee-deep" in the river in the first chorus, then proceeds to "waist-deep," and later "neck-deep." He is searching for absolution as he is drowning, which is similar to what Harlen is experiencing throughout the novel. He just wants to be a good man, but he is wading deeper into darkness.
Bottom of the River - Delta Rae
This is such a haunting song, with powerful religious connotations. Another "drowning" song, these lyrics suggest that a mother is drowning her son in an effort to cleanse him. This speaks to the power that religion holds, and the somewhat grotesque "responsibility" many fanatics feel. In the novel, Harlen bears the weight of similar responsibility despite his trying to push religion away.
The Rubber Room - Porter Wagoner
Porter Wagoner released an incredibly dark album (especially for 1972) based on his experience in a psych ward. Rubber Room is the most surreal track on the record, and I can imagine Harlen's feeling similar to the narrator in that he's hearing and seeing things that aren't there. Wagoner's lyrics admit that he's in the "rubber room" trying to write songs, which I thought was an interesting contrast to the straight-jacket imagery we think of with "crazy" people. It speaks to how thin the line is between sanity and insanity, and potentially how close we all are from being on the other side of the rubber room door.
Blood on My Name - The Brothers Bright
Another heavy-gothic, heavy-religion track. But this one has so many intricacies in the lyrics. From mentioning "lead in my belly," in reference to ancient Romans using lead "sugar" as a sweetener for their wine, to the fact that "Lazarus" in the song is not the Biblical character Christ brought back from the grave, but rather the lesser known Lazarus of the Bible who was shamed and unhelped by a rich man in the Gospel of Luke. The narrator of the song appears to be the rich man who is now burning for his sins, and trying to bargain with Lazarus to help him. I listened to this track often before beginning to write, just to help set the mood and tone of the novel, particularly the interrogation scenes between Harlen and the man he suspects of being a murderer.
Black River Killer - Blitzen Trapper
Funky little tune with a narrator who longs for salvation but can't stop killing. I initially thought of the murderer when I listened to this, but slowly I went back to several other characters, including Harlen. The imagery of a river turning black as sins rush off the man being baptized is also pretty superb.
People Are Strange - The Dead South (Doors cover)
I like The Dead South version for a little more southern gothic touch. Like Rubber Room, this is another track for Harlen when he's envisioning people and things from his past.
Change on the Rise - Avi Kaplan
Familiar gothic stomp-and-clap track about trying so hard to keep the demons at bay. This is Harlen's entire life, and throughout the novel he can feel the "change" coming.
Right in Two - Tool
While the characters drive the narrative, there are naturally larger themes at play. This song touches on a burden that shows up in each of my novels, which is the baffling and egomaniacal nature of our species. The line "repugnant is a creature who would squander the ability to lift an eye to heaven, conscious of his fleeting time here," is especially poignant. The song lambasts our heedless affinity for violence and greed. Additionally, Tool is the greatest rock band of the past thirty years, and any playlist is better when they're on it.
Duality - Slipknot
For a guy who tends to listen to Americana and folk-country, this song slaps the shit out of me every time I hear it. And while it may not be my preferred genre, the lyrics and the delivery are so full of pain and passion that I can't deny its appeal. The narrator is trying desperately to push away his past, but it eventually drives him insane-- not unlike Harlen's fear that the same thing will happen to him.
The Pot - Tool
In the novel, the idea of killing someone because they killed someone is certainly an example of "the pot" calling the kettle black. Also, Tool.
James Wade lives and writes in the Texas Hill Country with his wife and daughter. He is the author of River, Sing Out and All Things Left Wild, a winner of the prestigious MPIBA Reading the West Award for Debut Fiction, and a recipient of the Spur Award for Best Historical Novel from the Western Writers of America.
If you appreciate the work that goes into Largehearted Boy, please consider making a donation.
