The Laughing Monsters by Denis Johnson is a novel set in Sub-Saharan Africa, following the story of two damaged and puerile men, Roland Nair and Michael Adriko. The book explores their chaotic past in the secret services and military operations across Africa and Afghanistan. The narrative takes the reader on a journey through a triple-crossing, ill-defined money-making adventure that leads the characters to the Congo, symbolizing anarchy, hell, and human delusion. Johnson's writing style is described as fast-paced, disorientating, thrilling, and at times frightening, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat with unpredictable events.

Characters:

The characters are largely seen as flat and uninteresting, with the main character failing to evoke much sympathy or engagement.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is polished and vivid, showcasing Johnson's skills, though it may also feel overly intricate and sometimes dry.

Plot/Storyline:

The storyline follows two problematic men on a chaotic venture in Africa, but significant elements of intrigue are either underdeveloped or quickly set aside.

Setting:

The African setting is painted vividly yet remains a strange and alien landscape for the narrator, enhancing the narrative's disorientation.

Pacing:

The pacing is rapid and erratic, lacking a stable flow, leading to a sense of disjointedness.

Notes:

Denis Johnson is praised for his earlier novels, such as 'Jesus Son' and 'Angels', which are described as sublime and profoundly poetic.

'The Laughing Monsters' features two men, Roland Nair and Michael Adriko, who embark on a chaotic adventure in Africa.

The novel explores themes of love-hate relationships and personal decay amidst the backdrop of post-colonial Africa.

Characters in 'The Laughing Monsters' are described as one-dimensional, lacking depth and substantial development.

The story is set in various African countries, like Sierra Leone and Uganda, but the author is criticized for retreating from deeper exploration of the socio-political environment.

The writing style is noted for its precision and ability to maintain pace, despite some narrative disjointedness.

Many readers found the plot to lack direction and coherence, with abandoned plot points and unresolved events.

Despite the character flaws and lack of caring for the protagonists, Johnson's writing is still considered dazzling and skillful by some.

The book mixes elements of thriller and adventure but ultimately leaves readers uncertain about its true nature or intent.

Overall, readers have mixed feelings, with some enjoying the superficial thrill while others desired a more substantial narrative.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, substance abuse, and disillusionment, reflecting the grittiness of life in post-colonial Africa.

From The Publisher:

A post-9/11 literary spy thriller from the National Book Award-winning author of Tree of Smoke

Adriko is an African who styles himself a soldier of fortune and who claims to have served, at various times, the Ghanaian army, the Kuwaiti Emiri Guard, and the American Green Berets. He's probably broke now, but he remains, at thirty-six, as stirred by his own doubtful schemes as he was a decade ago.

Although Nair believes some kind of money-making plan lies at the back of it all, Adriko's stated reason for inviting his friend to Freetown is for Nair to meet Adriko's fiancée, a college girl named Davidia from Colorado. Together the three set out to visit Adriko's clan in the Uganda-Congo borderland-but each of these travelers is keeping secrets from the others. Their journey through a land abandoned by the future leads Adriko, Nair, and Davidia to meet themselves not in a new light, but rather in a new darkness.

A high-suspense tale of kaleidoscoping loyalties in the post-9/11 world, Denis Johnson's The Laughing Monsters shows one of our great novelists at the top of his game.

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The Laughing Monsters

Denis Johnson