Death and So Forth

Mortality and death hang over many of the pieces in this searing collection from the legendary Lish (Dear Mr. Capote). In “Naugahyde,” composed of an erstwhile couple’s dialogue over the phone, reminiscences of a sex act give way to thoughts of death (“ ‘Who’s not already dying?’ she said. She said, ‘When are we not dying?” ’). Many of the pieces take the form of fond autobiographical reminiscences from Lish’s early life or complex, essayistic thoughts about friends who have died. His affectionate memory of Denis Johnson (“Hustlers and All in the Rogue-Snown Night”) also touches on Nora Ephron, Don DeLillo, and other literary lights. (This is followed by a cheeky piece about a popular porn actor named Jamie Gillis in which Johnson is again mentioned.) More personal, and emotional, is the story of his wife Barbara’s death, entitled “Grace.” Lish’s children and a beloved uncle are also recurring subjects. Another thread that runs through the book is Lish’s love of and playfulness with language. The book’s subtitle, “A Tisket of Twenty Scriptions” heralds the numerous inspired riffs that appear throughout. Prickly and insightful, the collection reads like a biography told in vivid snapshots. Lish’s passion, incisiveness, and irascibility blaze through. (Apr.)