The Hard Crowd by Rachel Kushner
The Hard Crowd: Essays 2000-2020 was the first
book I’ve read by Kushner, and it was such a great introduction to her writing
and influences. I’ve expanded my “to read” list, not only including her novels,
but also some of her influences (Dennis Johnson, Clarice Lispector, Ruth Wilson
Gilmore, and Marguerite Duras—who I knew about from Hiroshima Mon Amor, but
didn’t realize the extent of her work). Throughout many of the essays in this
book, Kushner shares her passions and interests, and I loved learning more
about these things. The first essay, “Girl on a Motorcycle”, is both a great
travel story detailing her experiences in a Baja Motorcycle Race in Mexico and
an amazing compendium of the cool characters who are involved in this race. I
loved how much I learned about different motorcycles and all of the preparation
for this kind of race. Kushner shares that an ex also participated in the race,
but it seemed like the race allowed her to really push herself and navigate the
challenges of travelling 1000+ miles in Mexico for several days. It was a
harrowing race, but the reflection on the race and its participants also made
me realize how important these kinds of experiences are—whether it is a test of
endurance in a long motorcross race or even training for a marathon. Finding
the ability to challenge yourself and find community in your interests is
important. Some of the other essays have to do with cars and travel—like “In
the Company of Truckers”, where Kushner experiences kindness from
truckers/mechanics during a long distance drive. I think, though, that I really
enjoyed the essays about art, films, and her writing influences. These were the
essays where I could sense how passionate she was about certain artists (or
dismissive) and how they influenced her work. “Made to Burn” was a great catalog
(with pictures) of some of the influences on her book The Flamethrowers, including the cover image for the book. There were other essays that
also detail some of the political and social influences on that book, which
seems to have something to do with radical Italian politics and some of the
groups that formed in Europe (and especially Italy) in the 1960/70s. Again, I
felt like I learned so much from this essay, and got a sense of how these
different art forms informed Kushner’s own writing. Other essays like “Not with
the Band” and “The Hard Crowd” detailed San Francisco in the 1980 and 90s. It
was fun to read about the different bands who played in the bar where Kushner
worked, and even more fun to read about her criticisms of the Jerry Garcia Band/Deadhead
followers. Although I never lived in San Francisco, I visited there in the late
90s, and I remember how cool it seemed. Kushner’s essays capture that cool and
eclectic vibe of a city that seemed so different in so many places. Other
essays like “Bunny” are both a throwback to a time before email and cell phones
when long distance friendships/relationships had to rely on phones and letters
and a meditation on losing important people in our lives. In fact, I felt like
there was a feeling of loss throughout the different essays. While Kushner’s
writing is not depressing or sad, I had a feeling of appreciation and
gratitude, as well as kind of savoring these experiences and the people we
share them with since we don’t know when we might encounter them again. One of
the best essays in the book, “Is Prison Necessary?”, raises important points
about the nature and purpose of punishment, and how prisons have become big business
for some regions. It is a thoughtful piece that was previously published in the
NY Times, and made me add Ruth Wilson Gilmore to my
To Read list. It’s an important essay that I wish a lot more people would consider,
especially as it seems like we are moving towards a more punitive and vengeful
time in society. I could definitely see this essay as being a great piece to
teach and raise questions about the nature of crime and punishment. Sometimes
books of essays can be uneven compilations, but Kushner’s The Hard Crowd is a great read. I can’t wait to read her other books and some of the
texts and writers she’s been influenced by.
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