Fresno Famous

Famous has long had much love for Mark Arax. Seriously, do a search. Jarah references the author/journalist/native Fresnan dozens of times. OK, I didn't do a solid count, but you get the point.

For me, Arax had always sailed under my radar, like that band you get into three years after they hit big. I kept hearing people rave about In My Father's Name and The King of California, knew of this Los Angeles Times journalist who learned to write from William Saroyan, but I always left it at that.

But Arax' latest West of the West is an inspiring collection of non-fiction for a guy playing at being a writer. That's the thought that kept coming. This dude is a pro. You (that's me) have got a lot to learn, young one. This is creative non-fiction in the best sense, Gozno Journalism Central-California style, minus the peyote, and add some Armenian moonshine.

Anyone who thinks they have a handle on the immigration issue should read, "The Summer of the Death of Hilario Guzman," and fans of legalized weed should read "Highlands of Humboldt" to get a feel for the complexities of the medical pot trade.

As for an actual review of the book, there are plenty. I found one here.

Buy the book at The Fig Garden Bookstore or on-line at Indiebound.org.