Herb Spillman is a sculptor, first in metal, then ice after his drinking became a problem and his liver became“ his most utilized organ, ranked above brain, lungs or pecker.” After he stops drinking his wife may or may not be instrumental in a year-long undercover intervention involving a number of people in several states and a large sculptural commission to keep him busy.

Herb might be the most astute and funniest alcoholic since Henry Chinaski. He has a much sweeter disposition in any case. He has disdain for twelve step programs and the “addiction industry” in general. Herb is hard on himself, but on most others too. Everyone is a target. “Who has named a boy Clem in the last two hundred years? No wonder the man turned to booze.” As with all of George Singleton’s writing the humor never stops. It’s clever and often understated, but there on every page. No one else can make the quest for sobriety quite so funny. ( )

George Singleton is my number one favorite short story writer. He can turn a phrase and capture the South like no one else. Having said that, his novels leave something to be desire. "Work Shirts For Madmen" and his previous novel, "Novel", just don't compare to his short stories. Both books were a slog to get through. ( )

This was an enjoyable, but very quirky romp through the world of early recovery from alcoholism, sculpture and an odd but endearing bunch of deep South friends. It is the story of Harp Spillman's final attempt to get sober after decades of heavy drinking, with the strategic support of his wife, LouRay. They are both pretty likeable, especially LouRay, who saves a bunch of snapping turtles from toxic experimentation. Some of the themes are kind of repetitive and at times, the book got too obtuse and almost got boring, but overall, it is fun. Each character is more bizarre than the next, but I did laugh quite a bit. If you don't take it too seriously, you'll have fun. Recommended, especially if you have any interest in AA, recovery and can laugh at it (i.e., not take it too seriously). ( )

Recently becoming acquainted with Traveler's Rest and the Greenville area, I recognized enough places in this story to "follow along" as different scenes were described. It was amazing how this added value to the book!

One other location significant in my family history, turned out to be the other most-mentioned section with its Vulcan Park, Sloss furnaces and Red Mountain was Birmingham (AL)! Not a big fan of fiction, this is written well enough, with enough familiar scenes [to me] to be completely believable and THAT made it a worth-while and enjoyable read to me. ( )

“If you can’t make sense of life, you can at least scratch your head and laugh at it.” – Michael Ray Taylor on how southern writers approach literature, Nashville Scene

Harp Spillman has spent lost count of the years spent living in the bottle. He’s ruined his reputation as metal sculptor, joked himself out of a lucrative career as a freelance ice sculptor and is now living off the good graces of his wife Raylou. When a commission of twelve-foot-high metal angels made out of hex nuts for Birmingham, Alabama gets approved (although he can’t remember applying), Harp realizes it’s time to hang up the bottle and return to the mig-welder. Fate decides he needs some moral support and sends him the Elbow Boys, although Harp wonders if isn’t just another of Raylou’s schemes…

Confused? Don’t be surprised - George Singleton’s writing epitomizes Michael Ray Taylor’s quote from Nashville Scene, this is Gonzo fiction at its finest. In Work Shirts for Madmen, Singleton paints with words using wide brush strokes; readers may not always know what is going on but there will be a vivid picture running in your head while you try to figure it out. With novels and short stories chock full of unfathomable characters and surreal situations, Singleton’s forte is his uncanny ability to keep readers laughing even while their hearts are breaking. Many of Singleton’s characters seem to have just stepped off a film set; I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the Elbow Boys showing up in Tarantino’s next movie. And Harp’s ice sculpture creations melting at the Republican convention begs to be captured on film.

Even though there is such a strong cinematic quality to Work Shirts for Madmen, beneath all the laughs and eccentricities at its heart this is a novel about making sense of life after hitting rock bottom. Whether you’re attracted by the title or fiction featuring anteaters, make sure to grab this one for a day when you need a dose of surreal, you’ll be awfully glad you did.

Check out largehearted boy for George Singleton’s picks of music to accompany to accompany Work Shirts for Madmen. ( )