Ablutions: Notes for a Novel

On its way to becoming a cult classic, Ablutions isthe much-acclaimed debut of a literary star in themaking.In a famous but declining Hollywood bar, there works abarman. Morbidly amused by the decadent decay of his surroundings, he establishes tentative friendships with variously pathological regulars, all the while making notes for his novel.But as his tenure at the bar continues, he begins to servehimself more often than his customers. His damaged lifebegins to unravel completely. He loses his wife, his way,himself.Trapped by his habits and his loneliness, he hatchesa terrible plan of escape, his only chance for redemption.Patrick deWitt's stunning debut novel has been comparedto the work of Charles Bukowski,Denis Johnson, andHunter S.Thompson. It is funny and horrifying and beautifuland honest. It is a 'œmarvel'� (L.A.Weekly), the kind ofbook whose 'œdirty realism'�makes Gary Shteyngart 'œwantto roll in the mud with'� the author. Ablutions is destined tobe a backlist favorite for many years.

Patrick deWitt was born in 1975 on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. He has also lived in California, Washington, and Oregon, where he currently resides with his wife and son. He has worked as a laborer, a clerk, a dishwasher, and a bartender. Ablutions is his first novel.