The Tequila Chronicles * by Michael K. Gause * 32 pgs * $5 * www.tequilachronicles.com

    The Tequila Chronicles is a small, self-published chapbook by Michael K. Gause.  The cover is nicely designed and printed on glossy paper.  It depicts a mostly empty bottle of wine.  The book is sub-titled "Spontaneous Moments Preserved in Alcohol"; a perfect subtitle for this book of drunken dreams.
    The Tequila Chronicles contains 12 "poems", one for each month of the year (and one for a different type of drink; a nice touch).  I put the word poems in quotes because these are not your typical narrative, vertically-arranged poem.  They are a wonderful hybrid between a diary entry and a prose poem.  A perfect mix between drunken reverie and philosophy.  The bastard child of poetry and fiction.  They meander through random thoughts obviously written while the author was drunk.  But, don't let this deceive you.  They are not poorly written, nor banal.  They are crisply delivered nuggets of genius.  The word choice is unique, the images are strong and surprising, the philosophy they represent is real and human.
    You might think this book a novel of sorts (I know I did), halfway expecting a plot, or some kind of revelation at the end.  But, there is none.  Nor should there be.  This is the diary of a genius on the verge of alcoholism; or maybe the diary of an alcoholic on the verge of genius.  Either way, the 12 poems do not show growth in the author.  They do not reveal any prescient wisdom or bold insight.  They are exactly as advertized:  The chronicle of a drunk with talent.
    I got this copy of The Tequila Chronicles directly from Michael.  I have no idea how much he is charging for a copy, but I recommend, if you are interested in obtaining one yourself, visiting his website @ www.tequilachronicles.com and purchasing one for yourself.


Reviewed by justin.barrett