Several years ago, just after Harry Truman bombed Paris, I submitted a novel I had written about a Texas rock band to a literary agent. Actually, I submitted the manuscript to several literary agents, but the one in question was the only one who didn’t laugh at me or call me a “peerless literary tumor.”

 This particular agent also rejected my effort, but was at least kind enough to say that, for the most part, “rock novels” were poisonous in the marketplace and publishers basically wanted nothing to do with them.

This particular agent also rejected my effort, but was at least kind enough to say that, for the most part, “rock novels” were poisonous in the marketplace and publishers basically wanted nothing to do with them.

 All these years later, the “rock novel” has become a modest but legitmate subgenre, with books like Nick Hornby’s 

All these years later, the “rock novel” has become a modest but legitmate subgenre, with books like Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity and Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments having critically established legitimacy and paved the way for more.

 Now, Wales-based author Tiffany Murray, writing in

Now, Wales-based author Tiffany Murray, writing in The Guardian, has listed her Top 10 Rock ‘n’ Roll Novels — and, perhaps not surprisingly, I think she’s brazenly disdained credibility by leaving off four essential contributions to the genre. Murray did not include her own just-published Diamond Star Halo — but she does, in prefatory comments, refer to her novel in the cozy context that it’s sorta contemoraneous with her Top 10.

 Here’s her

Here’s her list, for the record — and, yes, that is Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights listed at number 5. (Murray compares Heathcliff to Jack White. Yes, that's sort of ridiculous, although just the other day I was comparing Heathcliff to Ted Nugent, Dr. Zhivago to Lou Barlow, and Nagel, the hero in Knut Hamsun’s Mysteries, to both Loggins and Messina.

 Anyhoo, while I’ve read some of the books on Murray’s list, I haven’t read all — and based on her descriptions, a few beg my attention. So if I haven’t read all of them, it’s not really fair of me to say she’s completely missing the boat.

Anyhoo, while I’ve read some of the books on Murray’s list, I haven’t read all — and based on her descriptions, a few beg my attention. So if I haven’t read all of them, it’s not really fair of me to say she’s completely missing the boat.

 HOWEVER: It’s hard for me to believe any rock novel could be better than 

HOWEVER: It’s hard for me to believe any rock novel could be better than Glimpses by Lewis Shiner. It’s certainly better than The Commitments and High Fidelity, which occupy numbers 2 and 3 on Murray's list — and that’s with all respect due both of those fine books. (Her top choice is Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie; haven't read it but I will.)

 Meantime:

Meantime: you read Glimpses. It's an amazing work and not just a rock novel. (It's out of print but there are plenty of used copies out there.)

 Three other essentials that belong on any such list are 

Three other essentials that belong on any such list are Jambeaux by Laurence Gonzales, The Armageddon Rag by George R.R. Martin; and Crossroad Blues by my friend Ace Atkins.