SKU: 13931476716

This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers

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This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of StrangersKnown for immersion journalism that is more immersed than most people are willing to go, and for a prose style that is somehow both fierce and soulful, Jeff Sharlet dives deep into the darkness around us and awaiting us. This work began when his father had a heart attack; two years later, Jeff, still in his forties, had a heart attack of his own. In the grip of writerly self doubt, Jeff turned to images, taking snapshots and posting them on Instagram,

Known for immersion journalism that is more immersed than most people are willing to go, and for a prose style that is somehow both fierce and soulful, Jeff Sharlet dives deep into the darkness around us and awaiting us.

This work began when his father had a heart attack; two years later, Jeff, still in his forties, had a heart attack of his own. In the grip of writerly self-doubt, Jeff turned to images, taking snapshots and posting them on Instagram, writing short, true stories that bloomed into documentary. During those two years, he spent a lot of time on the road: meeting strangers working night shifts as he drove through the mountains to see his father; exploring the life and death of Charley Keunang, a once-aspiring actor shot by the police on LA's Skid Row; documenting gay pride amidst the violent homophobia of Putin's Russia; passing time with homeless teen addicts in Dublin; and accompanying a lonely woman, whose only friend was a houseplant, on shopping trips.

Early readers have called this book "incantatory," the voice "prophetic," in "James Agee's tradition of looking at the reality of American lives." Defined by insomnia and late-night driving and the companionship of other darkness-dwellers--night bakers and last-call drinkers, frightened people and frightening people, the homeless, the lost (or merely disoriented), and other people on the margins--This Brilliant Darkness erases the boundaries between author, subject, and reader to ask: how do people live with suffering?



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 02/11/2020
ISBN: 9781324003205
Pages: 336
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 8.40h x 6.20w x 1.10d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2019
Publishers Weekly 11/04/2019
Library Journal 01/01/2020 pg. 93
Booklist 02/01/2020 pg. 16
Shelf Awareness 03/13/2020
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SKU: 13931476716

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kelly mitchell
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
A Great Source for Practical Knowledge for Planning Your Ideal Pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago
Format: Paperback
This book is exactly what I was hoping for such as what the highlight of each village is with some photos. The level of difficulty, characteristics, and advice, not to mention a bonus QR code with up-to-date info on places to stay at each stage. It’s a terrific, easy to follow book, and I highly suggest purchasing a copy if you are called to this journey!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2025
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Amazon Customer
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 3
no maps
Format: Paperback
no maps
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Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2025
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Lindell Long
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
panoramic maps included
Format: Kindle
The author offers many tips such as screen shots each morning of your itinerary should you lost internet service. This journey is not just a physical one as you follow the steps of St James after he answered God’s call, but a spiritual journey as well.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2025
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M. Hov
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 4
A Comprehensive and Well-Mapped Camino Guide
Format: Kindle
This updated edition of the Camino de Santiago guide offers a thorough overview of all six major routes. It's really great that you can download detailed, panoramic maps for each route, providing clear, step-by-step directions that are extremely helpful for planning and navigating. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pilgrim, the insights into each stage, town, and accommodation (from hostels to albergues) are invaluable. The book also covers essential packing tips and advice on physical preparation, which I found very practical. There are bonus links for accommodation guides are very useful, as well as other bonus links scattered throughout. The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is that I felt it could include more in-depth cultural or historical background for each route. That said, if you’re looking for a guide that’s all about practicality and gets you started with planning your pilgrimage, this is an excellent choice.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2024
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hsjsudbd
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
This book is gold, well written.
Format: Paperback
This is one of few IT books I'd recommand. Reading this book really save a lot of grindings in advancing my career. The knowledge shared in the book is came from real and actual practice in the IT field. I wish there are more authors like Jay. This book is a treasure to me, it is unlike most of the other books I read that were either teaching outdated config or title baits, for example, the "official" CCNP 350-401 book that taught me the outdated ikev1 crypto map config. I own the LPI essential certificate during my college time, but the college course didn't give me the same confidence as this book. I am now feeling very comfortable and confident with Linux system and I found the beauty in it. I am 100% recommanding this book to everyone are interested in Linux, either for personal or at work. This book will be my reference to go at all time.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024

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