Clinical Studies

Bert Almon is a professor of English at the University of Alberta. He is
the author of Calling Texas, Earth Prime, and Mind the Gap.

The title of George Slobodzian’s book reveals its strengths and
weaknesses. The style is sharp and clear, with a lens unfogged by
sentimentality. The style is dominated by short lines whose images
convey strong physical sensations. However, his work comes across as
cold, often with too little emotion invested in his subjects. Sometimes
he tries too hard to shock the reader with a clinical attitude toward
sex that relies too much on orifices and body fluids. He is at his best
when he does not force the effects.

This is Slobodzian’s first book; it’s a better-than-average debut.