A great writer has passed away.
Denis Johnson, the remarkable talent behind masterpieces such as the National Book Award-winning Tree of Smoke (2007) and Pulitzer Prize-nominated Train Dreams (2012), passed away peacefully in his home Wednesday morning, May the 24th, 2017.
Johnson was well-loved by fellow authors, critics, and readers alike. Swing Time (2016) author Zadie Smith, usually an insightful critic and thinker, once nailed the quiet awe that Johnson’s work inspired in few words: “The book that meant most to me this year was Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. I don’t have anything intelligent to say about it. I just thought it was very beautiful.”
His most famous work, Jesus’ Son (1992), turned 25 this year. The New York Times reported on a gathering of fans which took place to mark the occasion. Present were Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours (1998), Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club (1996), and actor Billy Crudup. The article is worth reading for understanding the enthusiasm his fans had.
Johnson had published a final novel, The Laughing Monsters (2014), about a Danish-American sent to Sierra Leone on a spying mission.
His novels and short stories were exceptional, and highly recommended.
Twitter has taken the occasion to celebrate the author’s work.
We’re deeply sad to hear of the loss of Denis Johnson, a true literary talent. A story from his seminal Jesus' Son: https://t.co/gQ0m5QwLMR pic.twitter.com/6XnI47SMPU
— Granta (@GrantaMag) May 26, 2017
R.I.P. Denis Johnson. I used to give copies of JESUS' SON to just about anyone who'd make eye contact with me
— priscilla page (@BBW_BFF) May 26, 2017
“Sometimes what I wouldn't give to have us sitting in a bar again at 9:00 a.m. telling lies to one another, far from God.”
― Denis Johnson— Kyle Minor (@kyle_minor) May 26, 2017
Dundun by Denis Johnson, first + last page pic.twitter.com/Wfl1FUimRr
— Will Edwards (@wcedwards24) May 26, 2017
There's a strong and loving sense of everyone Denis Johnson left behind. Friends, students. A legacy of beautiful writing and community. RIP
— Amelia Gray (@grayamelia) May 26, 2017
'English words are like prisms. Empty, nothing inside, and still they make rainbows.'
— Waterstones (@Waterstones) May 26, 2017
-Denis Johnson, who sadly passed away yesterday. pic.twitter.com/LaVhMzn1HR
"I had never known, never even imagined for a heartbeat, that there might be a place for people like us."
— Michael J Seidlinger (@mjseidlinger) May 26, 2017
RIP Denis Johnson pic.twitter.com/4rMisi4TlM
"... if sleeping is dying, then waking
— Robin Beth Schaer (@robinschaer) May 26, 2017
is birth, and a life
is many lives."
—Denis Johnson
one of the best poems, by denis johnson pic.twitter.com/xkoQEjnXwR
— bill carty (@bill_carty) May 26, 2017
This is a terrible loss. Studying with Denis Johnson was one of the best things that ever happened to me. May he rest in peace.
— Alexander Chee (@alexanderchee) May 26, 2017
There's something beautiful about seeing everyone come together in love and mourning for Denis Johnson; sad, but it rises briefly above.
— Adrienne Celt (@celtadri) May 26, 2017
The best of the best. Denis Johnson's work will be studied in writing workshops for decades. https://t.co/7527NZBEt6
— Bob Shepherd (@bobshepherd) May 26, 2017
