Where To Get Rose Potted Meat

Open Preview

Come across a Problem?

We'd dear your help. Let us know what's incorrect with this preview of Potted Meat past Steven Dunn.

Thank you for telling us about the problem.

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign upwards.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Potted Meat, please sign up.

Pop Answered Questions

Sarah Schantz It was made into a short film titled The Usual Route (one of the chapter titles in the volume).

Community Reviews

· 227 ratings · 45 reviews

Start your review of Potted Meat

Jun 20, 2016 Meg Tuite rated it it was astonishing

Please don't let this one fall betwixt the cracks of whatever shit keeps you from it!!!
This is bright, mesmerizing, and unforgettable! Dunn rocks it in every fashion!
Get a copy of 'Potted Meat'!!!!
Here are some quotes and let me tell you there are no weak lines!!! This novel brings to life a neighborhood, a family, a life, a fashion to be!!!
Ane of the best I've read in a long while!
PLOT
"Miss Janice died this morning. She cruel asleep and crashed her car into the creek. They don't know if she drowne Please don't allow this one autumn between the cracks of whatever shit keeps you from it!!!
This is bright, mesmerizing, and unforgettable! Dunn rocks information technology in every mode!
Get a copy of 'Potted Meat'!!!!
Here are some quotes and let me tell you there are no weak lines!!! This novel brings to life a neighborhood, a family, a life, a mode to exist!!!
1 of the best I've read in a long while!
PLOT
"Miss Janice died this morning. She fell comatose and crashed her car into the creek. They don't know if she drowned or died on impact. Mr. Ray died yesterday. He just died. The day before yesterday Malik died. He was driving and fell asleep and got hitting by a semi. Lord I tell ya, Grandma says, Decease happens in threes.

Does she mean only people. Only people we know, or people in general. If it's people we know she might be wrong because Aunt Ruth died last Friday. I desire to die on impact. If she means people in general, that might be wrong besides because all those people just died at that school in Colorado. I retrieve the news said 12, or 21. Either mode, 12 or 21 are multiples of 3."

...more

May 26, 2016 Zack rated it it was amazing

Potted Meat's author Steven Dunn is a recurring visitor to the monthly FBomb flash fiction series at the Mercury Cafe, on occasion serving as host, and the unequalled nature of his start offer may stand equally testament to the excellence of the FBomb series, and the disparate authors collected nether that banner. Dunn's book is set in a decaying boondocks in West Virginia, and while the narrative is contiguous, the action unfolds elliptically, in fluttering shots, like a reel of film unwinding. The r Potted Meat'due south author Steven Dunn is a recurring visitor to the monthly FBomb wink fiction series at the Mercury Cafe, on occasion serving as host, and the unequalled nature of his first offer may stand up as testament to the excellence of the FBomb serial, and the disparate authors collected under that banner. Dunn'south book is set in a decaying boondocks in West Virginia, and while the narrative is face-to-face, the action unfolds elliptically, in fluttering shots, similar a reel of pic unwinding. The reel is divided into three segments, 1. Elevator TAB 2. PEEL BACK iii. Enjoy CONTENTS. The writer'southward vox is spare and evenly balanced, conveying essentials without overstating.
"Every solar day later on me and Grandad sit on the porch and eat fried green tomatoes, my cousin teaches me how to draw."
That's the first sentence.
"I arrive the automobile, nod at Leonard and Dee. And my recruiter pulls off."
Those are the last ii, as the protagonist is whisked off into a new life away from his moribund roots.
In between them is one of the all-time original works of prose this reporter has come across locally since the halcyon days of Don Becker and Phillip Duncan, speaking as a former insider, not that there'south any comparison between whatsoever one of these writers to some other, but that each embodies a level of worth attainable to all, despite their differences, one to another. To which this reporter volition add that his discovery of the greatness of FBomb was truly encouraging as to the notion of hidden pockets of greatness persisting irrepressibly in Denver, whether or not ane pays attention. What! Potted Meat is a perceptibly heartfelt piece of work, presumably largely or entirely based in personal experience, Dunn having been young in Westward Virginia himself, and has tangible impact on the reader, as here:
Anybody is downstairs crying. I walk upstairs to Grandma'due south room. It is night. Her dirty pinkish business firm shoes are lined up by the nightstand like she but got into bed. The covers on her side are pulled dorsum similar she simply got out of bad. I exit and enquire my mom how Grandma died. My mom says she just turned yellow and died, What, I say. Yous heard me, she says, she just turned yellow and died. I will never eat dandelions again.
That's the entirety of a chapter in Potted Meat called "Yellowish." Dunn's writing is Continued AT THE LINK Below
http://world wide web.examiner.com/review/potted...
...more

May 08, 2016 Nick rated it it was astonishing

I would give Potted Meat six stars, if I could. Dunn'due south debut novel is poetic, hilarious, heartbreaking, and beautiful, often all at in one case. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I would give Potted Meat six stars, if I could. Dunn'southward debut novel is poetic, hilarious, heartbreaking, and beautiful, often all at once. Practice yourself a favor and read this book. ...more

Apr 03, 2017 Leah rated it information technology was amazing

This book volition stay with me forever. Brutal and touching, Dunn has peeled back the chapeau and revealed the potted meat that was a bleak childhood. Absolutely haunting.

Dec 13, 2019 O'Brian Gunn rated information technology it was amazing

I was excited as all get out to read Potted Meat after meeting Steven at an open mic in Denver. His unadulterated, full-bodied personality shines through in every word of his piece of work, refreshingly then.

I was born and raised in Alabama, and while Potted Meat didn't necessarily remind me of exact memories of my babyhood, it contained the essence of the environment I grew up in. The main grapheme and I don't come up from the exact aforementioned groundwork, simply nosotros did come up from similar circumstances.

Something I

I was excited as all get out to read Potted Meat after meeting Steven at an open mic in Denver. His unadulterated, full-bodied personality shines through in every word of his work, refreshingly then.

I was born and raised in Alabama, and while Potted Meat didn't necessarily remind me of exact memories of my babyhood, information technology independent the essence of the surroundings I grew upward in. The main character and I don't come from the exact same background, merely we did come from like circumstances.

Something I really enjoyed almost this book is the fragmented narrative, the vignettes that give the reader a potent idea of who this character is. Some lines were unexpected (for all the right reasons) and gnawed at my optics for a few minutes before I could move on. While I would have loved to take an fifty-fifty deeper dive into the inner workings of the main graphic symbol, I also realize that information technology may have been a scrap as well painful for him to accept a deeper swoop into how his childhood and the people in information technology accept truly impacted him and his psyche, that may be something that has to expect until a time and identify when he's ready.

Steven, you've got a reader for life here. Proceed doin' whatcha doin', and I'll go along reading and sharing the Potted Gospel.

...more

This book blew me away. I've had the great fortune of reading with writer Steven Dunn on two, possibly more, occasions. I'm always stunned past his work read aloud, and his words on the page do not disappoint. These linked stories, in short verse capacity, are set in Due west Virginia, and are resilient testimonials about a narrator who rises in a higher place then many struggles and trauma that exists in every twist and turn. I'm then grateful for this book, Potted Meat, and to know Steven personally makes me feel al This volume blew me away. I've had the cracking fortune of reading with author Steven Dunn on two, perhaps more, occasions. I'1000 always stunned past his work read aloud, and his words on the page practice non disappoint. These linked stories, in brusque poetry chapters, are prepare in W Virginia, and are resilient testimonials well-nigh a narrator who rises above so many struggles and trauma that exists in every twist and turn. I'm and then grateful for this book, Potted Meat, and to know Steven personally makes me feel all the more complete. ...more

April 12, 2018 Meghan Lamb rated it it was amazing

Potted Meat is 1 of those books I will re-read every few months equally a supreme case of how to write, what I want to write, and why I want to write. Steven Dunn's writing is so thick with life: the uncanny beauty of detritus; the sting of rejections and betrayals from people we want to be generous toward; the accumulations of shadows we grasp at and try to fit over our ain; all the things that nosotros attempt to re-live, and re-channel, and be to fulfill those we love; the longing and hilarity in our a Potted Meat is one of those books I will re-read every few months as a supreme case of how to write, what I want to write, and why I want to write. Steven Dunn'due south writing is and so thick with life: the uncanny beauty of detritus; the sting of rejections and betrayals from people we want to be generous toward; the accumulations of shadows we grasp at and try to fit over our own; all the things that we try to re-alive, and re-channel, and be to fulfill those we love; the longing and hilarity in our attempts to communicate. ...more

This is so great. Loved information technology.

May 24, 2017 Bud Smith rated it it was astonishing

Phenomenal book. Stephen Dunn'due south Potted Meat is and then damn potent, tough, wild, and cute. Information technology's told in vignettes of 500 words or so, requite or take, but the way Stephen Dunn writes, his 5 hundred words are worth other people's 5000 words. By and large this book is a coming of age story, set in Due west Virginia. My favorite part of Potted Meat was when the immature narrator decides he wants to be a ninja, so he leaves in the nighttime to effort and discover the ninja on the mountain with the campfire. When he gets to Phenomenal volume. Stephen Dunn'south Potted Meat is so damn stiff, tough, wild, and cute. Information technology's told in vignettes of 500 words or so, give or take, but the way Stephen Dunn writes, his five hundred words are worth other people's 5000 words. Mostly this book is a coming of historic period story, set in Westward Virginia. My favorite role of Potted Meat was when the young narrator decides he wants to exist a ninja, so he leaves in the nighttime to try and observe the ninja on the mountain with the bivouac. When he gets to the campfire he finds out that the ninja isn't what he idea information technology'd be. And yeah, that's life. ...more

I truly don't know hwo to charge per unit this book, hate GoodReads for not giving me half stars. Then cute and crazily written. it reads like an autobiographical book of essays, so when yous snap out and think it'south a novel, it makes it even more impressive. A lot of the parts were and then amazing, but I definitely wouldn't read this book leisurely right now, it is a little fleck harder to follow and go really stuck in because of the formatting. I truly don't know hwo to rate this book, hate GoodReads for not giving me one-half stars. So beautiful and crazily written. it reads like an autobiographical book of essays, and so when you snap out and think it's a novel, it makes it even more than impressive. A lot of the parts were so amazing, but I definitely wouldn't read this book leisurely right now, it is a little fleck harder to follow and get really stuck in because of the formatting. ...more

Aug 06, 2018 Mridula rated information technology liked it

A very interesting read. Steven Dunn gives the reader a splintered glimpse into a boy'south poor and violent childhood. In that location are some sweet moments and some horror, some 'wow's and some mm-hmms.

I constitute a rhythm in Dunn'southward creative writing. At times it felt similar I was reading a stanza or a vocal. The language was purposeful and the stories, memorable.

A very interesting read. Steven Dunn gives the reader a splintered glimpse into a boy'south poor and violent childhood. There are some sweet moments and some horror, some 'wow's and some mm-hmms.

I found a rhythm in Dunn's artistic writing. At times it felt like I was reading a stanza or a song. The language was purposeful and the stories, memorable.

...more

Oct 30, 2020 Caleb rated it really liked it

A gut punch of a novel. Visceral, raw, funny. The prose throbs with pain and truth.

Mar 27, 2016 David rated it it was amazing

Dunn's words ride right on top of the pulse of the story. Information technology'south all so bright; it felt like I could reach out and impact information technology, just so real. I love his narrative vocalism too. Whether humorous, insightful, or fell, and in that location'due south all of that at various times and more, I could read whatever Dunn is maxim all 24-hour interval. It's some damn fine writing and an excellent book. Dunn'due south words ride right on elevation of the pulse of the story. Information technology'south all and so vivid; it felt like I could accomplish out and touch it, just then real. I love his narrative vocalisation likewise. Whether humorous, insightful, or barbarous, and at that place'south all of that at various times and more, I could read whatever Dunn is maxim all day. Information technology'south some damn fine writing and an splendid book. ...more

Feb 26, 2017 Craig rated it really liked it

An elliptical catalog of hurt. I wish this had connected farther into his escape from circumstances.

May 13, 2017 Brice Maiurro rated information technology it was amazing

I've met Steven Dunn only one fourth dimension. He was smoking a cigarette exterior of the Mercury Cafe after the locally renowned F Flop Wink Fiction Open up Mic. He told me and a group huddled upwardly in the cold how his volume had recently been picked upwards for publication. He spoke humbly about it, but you lot could see the excitement in his face up through information technology all; the cold, the lights of the Mercury Cafe hanging over usa, the cigarette smoke.

The book, published by Tarpaulin Heaven Press, is called Potted Meat, a novel in the

I've met Steven Dunn merely one time. He was smoking a cigarette outside of the Mercury Cafe after the locally renowned F Flop Flash Fiction Open Mic. He told me and a grouping huddled up in the cold how his volume had recently been picked upwards for publication. He spoke humbly nigh information technology, but you could run across the excitement in his face through it all; the cold, the lights of the Mercury Cafe hanging over u.s., the cigarette fume.

The book, published by Tarpaulin Sky Press, is called Potted Meat, a novel in the form of a few dozen short stories, and I can tell y'all from my weekly recommendations of information technology to friends, family, strangers on the lite track, anyone willing to listen really, that the title garners some interesting reactions. People take said everything to me from "What the heck is potted meat?" to "Gross…"

To all of them, I reaffirm, "I know, but read the book."

The encompass fine art, pictured above, is no less off-putting. Information technology would be sleek and nigh sexy if not for the giant clamper of meat with strangeness protruding from it at all angles. In my opinion, Dunn couldn't accept picked a better title and image for his kickoff novel – which is as sentimental as it is jarring.

Through the short episodic pieces in Potted Meat, Dunn establishes a narrative of coming-of-age in Due west Virginia. I such story is "Happy Picayune Trees" which Dunn begins:

Bob Ross is on. He has paint. I don't.

These short sentences comprise a large function of the novel. Simple, simply full of strong, cutting-and-dry imagery. Swift, deep punches that minimalist writers like Hemingway would exist proud of. Dunn goes on to describe how he pulls in any he can from nature, including grasshoppers for dark-green ink, and dandelions for yellow ink, to make upward for his lack of paint. Fifty-fifty in the gritty images of a young boy desperate enough for colors that he is eating bugs, we begin to see a picture of what growing upwards without might have looked like for Dunn. A theme continued in several instances, including the eating of the titular potted meat.

Jumping into the novel, short stories similar "Happy Niggling Copse" might seem random, but it's a mistake to think that Dunn doesn't desire to go out the reader with a certain sense of confusion. Where the real ability in Potted Meat comes into play is when the images that Dunn has written into your memory in permanent ink come back to bite y'all in the barrel. Ane such instance is in "Xanthous" where Dunn retells the story of finding his grandmother had died. When asking his mom what happened she says "…she merely turned yellowish and died." Dunn, in response, vows "to never swallow dandelions again."

Dunn's language is the kind of simple that when you're done with the novel you might recollect to yourself, "I could have written that," but the amount of power in the intentionally terse and oft child-like linguistic communication of the book is something that is not so easily filtered from head to paper. Between the brusk sentences, the anecdotal reprisal of memories and the dark humor hiding beneath Dunn'due south matter-of-fact presentation is a true craft and actuality that can drive whatever reader to care about the day-to-day plight of a young boy coming of age through all sorts of strange adversity.

I think back to meeting Dunn before ever reading this breakthrough novel. I think about the humble fashion he took drags from that cigarette, shirking off our excitement of the news of his book finding a publisher. That humility, that quiet genius is what sneaks up on you in each intentional word and each curt story, some of which are no longer than a folio, between the front and back comprehend of Potted Meat. Steven Dunn has created something worthwhile that shows a true dedication to capturing the feelings of his childhood and putting them in a small can can for us to digest, one harsh bite at a time. I guess, in curt,

Steven Dunn is on. His writing has paint. Yours don't.

...more

Feb 02, 2020 Julia T rated it it was amazing

Steven Dunn'south book, Potted Meat, is made upwardly of story bits detailing the protagonist'southward coming of age in a small town in Westward Virginia with rich environmental and cultural themes including violence, race, add-on, sex, gender, etc.

The book is divided into three sections, each first with an instructional sentence on how to digest the potted meat/ the prose accompanied by the titles of each vignette.

The vignettes sear and the titles are absolutely perfect, begging the question --did Dunn righ

Steven Dunn's volume, Potted Meat, is made up of story bits detailing the protagonist's coming of age in a small town in W Virginia with rich environmental and cultural themes including violence, race, addition, sex activity, gender, etc.

The book is divided into 3 sections, each beginning with an instructional sentence on how to assimilate the potted meat/ the prose accompanied by the titles of each vignette.

The vignettes sear and the titles are absolutely perfect, begging the question --did Dunn right the titles beginning? second? did he friction match them with the vignettes.

Dunn's prose is virtually powerful in it's piercing precision, ruthless matter-of-factness, vivid imagery, and what's held back and non said, which illuminates the themes and what's being said in such a poignant way.

When reading, the reader doesn't get every particular, just enough, and the blank space provides room to breath and digest the grotesque, tearing, scathing potted meat.

...more

May 26, 2022 J rated information technology actually liked it

A barbarous glimpse into growing up poor and surrounded by sickness, addiction and domestic abuse. Many writers would spin this through our civilisation'south well-worn bildungsroman genre engine and cull up scenes of endless heartbreak and sympathy.

Steven Dunn isn't interested in that.

Instead, nosotros get tiny flashes of his babyhood, most of them bled free of the sort of emotional appeals and editorialization nosotros expect from this kind of writing. Potted Meat gets right into the cluttered otherness of Dunn's chil

A brutal glimpse into growing up poor and surrounded by sickness, addiction and domestic abuse. Many writers would spin this through our culture's well-worn bildungsroman genre engine and cull up scenes of endless heartbreak and sympathy.

Steven Dunn isn't interested in that.

Instead, we go tiny flashes of his childhood, most of them bled free of the sort of emotional appeals and editorialization nosotros look from this kind of writing. Potted Meat gets right into the chaotic otherness of Dunn's childhood. We are given petty context and no one to really 'understand' with. Nosotros just observe as a traumatic childhood and adolescence slowly accretes across tiny staccato moments and interactions. Much like in life itself, we are left to ourselves here to judge what the value or significance of any particular moment may be.

Don't dare telephone call it a memoir, more than of an impression, etched in acid.

...more

Written in vignettes, reminding me of Cisnero'south Business firm on Mango Street, a beautifully created novel of babyhood of a 3rd-generation African-American male child in Appalachia, specifically West Virginia. Start-person present tense the protagonist seems unaware of how truly alarming his life is, but I felt the adult writer looking in on the kid with the knowledge of someone who has altitude and sees the truth now. Showing the states his truth. It's not a happy truth, only it'due south authentic. Written in vignettes, reminding me of Cisnero's House on Mango Street, a beautifully created novel of childhood of a third-generation African-American boy in Appalachia, specifically West Virginia. First-person present tense the protagonist seems unaware of how truly alarming his life is, simply I felt the adult writer looking in on the child with the knowledge of someone who has distance and sees the truth now. Showing us his truth. It's non a happy truth, but it'south authentic. ...more than

Mar 16, 2020 Josh Dale rated it it was astonishing

It merely took me this long to read because I wanted to find the right fourth dimension to really finish it. This minor-town novel told in vignettes is large and proud while too grossly human and real. Some parts yearn for change, some for complacency, while some are only living life in this world so shut to home.

Jan 26, 2021 Renée Roehl rated it it was amazing

Don't miss this read!
A beautifully emotional, brutal short 'novel' that reads more than similar a series of prose poems. Fresh and filled with musical language, along with a couple of gut punches but Dunn spends more than fourth dimension inside the protagonist's mind rather than on gruesome details. I certainly had the feeling this was quite autobiographical and if so, we're all the better for his survival. Don't miss this read!
A beautifully emotional, brutal short 'novel' that reads more like a serial of prose poems. Fresh and filled with musical language, forth with a couple of gut punches simply Dunn spends more time within the protagonist'due south heed rather than on gruesome details. I certainly had the feeling this was quite autobiographical and if so, nosotros're all the improve for his survival. ...more

While I wouldn't say I similar this book, and certainly didn't enjoy it, I'm glad that I read information technology. The prose is amazing, and tells a eye-wrenching and often frustrating story of an imperfect boy in a dark, lonely earth, and the factors that shape him.

Content Warning for very strong language, explicit sexual scenes, and many scenes of kid corruption.

While I wouldn't say I like this book, and certainly didn't enjoy it, I'grand glad that I read information technology. The prose is amazing, and tells a heart-wrenching and frequently frustrating story of an imperfect boy in a dark, lone world, and the factors that shape him.

Content Warning for very potent language, explicit sexual scenes, and many scenes of kid abuse.

...more than

A coming of age story with all the dirt and grime attached. Dunn doesn't turn abroad from the nasty bits and yet still in that location's a lot of silliness and happiness tucked into a sort of pitiful tale. If yous grew upwardly poor and blackness, then this is the John Hughes sort of book for you. A coming of age story with all the dirt and grime attached. Dunn doesn't turn away from the nasty bits and notwithstanding still at that place's a lot of silliness and happiness tucked into a sort of sad tale. If yous grew up poor and black, and then this is the John Hughes sort of book for you lot. ...more than

Apr 17, 2018 Bob Raymonda rated information technology it was amazing

Holy fucking shit Potted Meat admittedly blew me abroad. Crushed this book in a few hours. It makes me desire to go back to work on a million little projects. It makes me want to write a hundred pieces of flash. Such an awesome experience.

A lean all the same evocative novella told through stories. Dunn'southward narrative vox is exact and singular, and this is a well-executed book that boils down to preference more than anything else. I liked it, but I likewise think it ultimately lacked a cohesiveness that would take compelled me to rate college. A lean notwithstanding evocative novella told through stories. Dunn'southward narrative voice is exact and singular, and this is a well-executed book that boils down to preference more than anything else. I liked information technology, only I too call up information technology ultimately lacked a cohesiveness that would have compelled me to rate college. ...more

May 07, 2017 Kalen rated it actually liked it

**** 1/2

I would give this book five stars if not for the awful cover which I actually had to cover up while I read it. Fantastic writing and story, reminiscent of Jacqueline Woodson.

There'southward more poesy than plot on these aching bones, along with tender life, rancid death, and lots and lots of promise. Thank you, Salem Public Library, for the proposition. At that place's more verse than plot on these agonized basic, along with tender life, rancid death, and lots and lots of promise. Thank you, Salem Public Library, for the proposition. ...more than

News & Interviews

In this latest installment of our semi-regular Themed Reading run a risk series, nosotros tackle the heaviest theme of all: Life and Death! It's not...

"There are too many unknown variables. For at present, the best I can come up with is Decease = x. And x = ∞. A kicked over 8. Death happens in a kicked over viii." — 1 likes

More than quotes…

Welcome dorsum. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.