Introduction
In the United States, Samuel W. Gailey has been compared to renowned author Cormac McCarthy, and now his crime novel “Die Schuld” has been translated into German. The story revolves around Alice O’Farrell, a young alcoholic woman who finds herself facing gangsters. Gailey’s storytelling has been praised as beautiful, reminiscent of the Coen Brothers’ style.
Alice’s Chaotic Morning
Each day starts similarly for 21-year-old Alice O’Farrell – with a hangover. She experiences a moment of total disorientation before the headaches kick in and her stomach decides whether the little food she ate will stay down. Alice has even developed her own rating system for the severity of her hangovers, ranging from one (the emotional aftermath of not drinking enough the night before) to five (a skull-splitting experience where any movement or smoker’s cough becomes torture).
However, one particular morning forces Alice to extend her rating scale drastically. She wakes up naked in a derelict trailer, with the body of her sleazy boss, a bar owner and occasional drug dealer, lying next to her. This catastrophic morning sets the stage for “Die Schuld,” Samuel W. Gailey’s first crime novel translated into German.
Alice’s Encounter with Gangsters
For Alice, the troubled alcoholic protagonist, the day holds even more unpleasant surprises. Just as she replenishes herself with vodka from the dead man’s stash, two gangsters appear in the trailer, putting pressure on her regarding drugs and a bag containing $91,000. Alice is eventually rescued by two cops, and in the ensuing shootout where everyone else dies, she manages to escape with the money. Gailey crafts a almost slapstick-like violent scene that could easily be from a Coen Brothers film like “Fargo” or the intense “No Country for Old Men.”
Depth of Characters
“Die Schuld” incorporates many familiar elements of the crime genre, such as a bag full of money and a woman whose life is threatened by sinister figures. However, what sets Gailey’s novel apart from the average is its characters’ depth and ambivalence. Alice, haunted by guilt since she failed to watch over her little brother six years ago, leading to his accidental death, drowns her memories in whiskey and vodka. She embarks on a journey through a strange and unusual world, a modern-day Alice in a realm of seedy strip bars, shabby motels, cheap liquor, and predatory men.
As Alice tries to reach Elton, an older man who previously helped her, a bizarre and mismatched duo of gangsters pursue her. There’s Sinclair, a small-time drug dealer whose good manners barely mask his ruthlessness, and Philip, his towering henchman with a childlike demeanor, responsible for the dirty work. Gailey delves into the psychology of his characters before the inevitable final confrontation between them and Alice occurs. All of them, the good and the bad, are lost souls, driven by guilt and searching for redemption.
The Final Showdown
Without a doubt, Gailey leaves no doubt that the two gangsters will eventually track down Alice. However, before the inevitable and yet entirely surprising final confrontation takes place, Gailey delves into the psyche of his characters. The plot provides the structure, while the tension builds through the development of the characters, whether they inspire fear like Sinclair or evoke empathy and hope, like Alice herself. As the two finally meet, Sinclair remarks, “All good things come to an end, but the bad can last forever.” Alice must come to her own conclusion to survive and find herself.
