The Long Take - Robin Robertson -2018

Last updated on April 3, 2026

Author: [[ Robin-Robertson ]]

Strange, hallucinatory novel length poem about the USA after World War Two and a veteran returning back.

Nominative determinism in the main character - Walker does a lot of walking and watching. Quite detached from the world he finds himself in.
Long, detailed lists of buildings and places.
The violence of rebuilding and demolition becomes the violence of the war, merges together.
Moral rot at the heart of the USA, especially related to race. Violence underpins everything and senseless death. Destruction of neighbourhoods and callous treatment of veterans. Questions the ‘greater good’ and American cultural dominance, especially in the 1950’s.
Was centring society around the car worth it?
Main character is built on violence that will not stay hidden.
Builds to a crescendo, language becomes more abstract and intense.
Similar to Ulysses, but over years instead of a day.