“Knockemstiff” by Donald Ray Pollock

Anais' Annotations

The expression “if these walls could talk” is often used to reference the desire to hear the events a location has experienced through its own perspective, but what if it went outside of just four walls? What if an entire town could spin a yarn? This story of place is the very point of Donald Ray Pollock’s “Knockemstiff” (2008). Set in the real town of Knockemstiff, Ohio, this unique work takes a new approach to regionalism and storytelling. 

When you first crack this book open, it appears that Pollock has compiled a set of short stories rather than a true novel. This perspective is not entirely untrue, but such a narrow view does not capture the whole of this work. Upon getting into the text, it becomes clear that all of the stories are connected. Each chapter is told from a different perspective, but the setting stays the same, and many characters are recurring. The stories are also set in chronological order, which helps provide a bit of a timeline. 

What is beautifully accomplished in this story is something I have never seen done before– the story of a town told through the stories of its residents. Each point-of-view character varies in age, occupation, status, gender and other facets. Such a variety provides a rounded idea of what Knockemstiffis really like, at its best and its worst. It becomes apparent early on that the details of the town, such as how it got its name and where exactly in Ohio it is located, are significantly less important than the details of its inhabitants. 

Each character has a unique story and perspective. For me, the most impressive part of this book was that each chapter and character has their own voice. It reads as if many different voices are coming together, not a single author writing many short stories. The experiences, feelings and thoughts of every person are palpable. 

The citizens of Knockemstiff are portrayed as being a fairly rough crowd. Deferred dreams abound, and a sense of hopelessness permeates the book. Despite none of the characters being particularly likable-- as most of them are at least a little bit villainous-- it is hard not to be sympathetic towards them. I would classify “Knockemstiff” as part of the Grit Lit movement, a subgenre of Southern literature that focuses on the realist, dirtiest parts of Southern life. 

For that reason, I caution readers who may be sensitive to violence, sexual assault, substance misuse and a few other concerning things within this text. These are typical elements of Grit Lit, but they can be upsetting for readers. 

“Knockemstiff” completely blew me away. Even though parts of it were difficult to read because of the themes and graphic details, it creates a beautiful collage of place. As a whole, the piece is a new spin on traditional regionalist writing. For people looking to get into regionalism, especially Grit Lit, I would highly recommend this book, which is why I give it an 11 out of 10.