PositivePopMattersOn its surface, his writing seems all too simple -- he writes clean and uncomplicated sentences that create clear images. Sometimes he presents absolutely detailed images, even about some day-to-day things, like what his characters are having for dinner and what kind of music they are listening to ... Light writing, heavy questions. Vlautin concentrates on presenting the images as if in hope that they will present answers ... All these themes are something that Vlautin has already been exploring, both through his music and writing. With Don't Skip Out on Me, it seems that he has reached some kind of pinnacle of this exploration, since he has prepared a special Richmond Fontaine instrumental soundtrack that is also annotated in the book. As the story winds to its conclusion, one of the questions the readers have to resolve themselves is, who is skipping out on whom? Is it another person, or is it just one's self? Simple question. Hard to play out.
