Word: eighner
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...there's any justice in the world," said the New York Times in its 1993 review of Lars Eighner's Travels with Lizbeth, a memoir of homelessness, "[the book] should guarantee its author a roof over his head for the rest of his life." And indeed, in the weeks and months that followed the publication of Eighner's critically acclaimed work, the reviewer's wish seemed to come true. The Austin, Texas, writer soon moved into a three-bedroom house. His work appeared in Harper's and the New York Times. He lectured in Hawaii and San Francisco. Esquire magazine...
Except the story doesn't end there. Late last year, to the general amazement of Austin's literary community, Lars Eighner was homeless again, living in a tent by a creek bridge not far from where he had written his famous book, eating from Dumpsters again, destitute and with few prospects. For more than two weeks, he lived there with his dog Lizbeth and the same male companion he has been with for nearly a decade. Then some of Eighner's friends rescued him, at least temporarily. For now, by the grace of those friends, the 49-year-old writer...
...Eighner's dog, Lizbeth, is his sole and constant companion throughout his problems. From the start, Eighner states that he does not intentionally personify Lizbeth, but his relationship and attachment to the dog provide an intriguing foil for the people that drop in and out of Eighner's life. Surely, perhaps depressingly, enough, the dog demonstrates far more loyalty and integrity than her human counterparts...
Lizbeth's canine faithfulness contrasts the disappointing lack of support Eighner fails to receive from other people. The ongoing image of a man and his dog facing the rest of the world resurrects the old adventuresome, pioneer spirit of the West with a contemporary twist...
Through understated diction and humor, Eighner creates a narrative that is both instructive and engaging. His experiences and observations remain uniquely his own, yet provide relevant commentary on one of the country's most urgent concerns. The personal perspective breaks down's looming social issue into the problems of individuals, giving a voice and face to what might otherwise be just another statistic...