A Subculture of Random Hedonism.

Seamlessly dovetailing style and subject, ''Dragonslayer,'' a poetic and affectionate portrait of the professional skateboarder Josh Sandoval, known as Skreech, vivifies a subculture of random hedonism and future myopia. Returning to the sport after an unexplained hiatus, Mr. Sandoval, intermittently wasted and admittedly self-destructive, wanders from Southern California to Arizona and from Copenhagen to Portland, Ore., with no real goals beyond wanting to ''see things.'' Oblivious to materialism -- vague mentions of sponsors are never elaborated on, and home is usually a tent pitched wherever -- he competes at ragtag gatherings and wipes out painfully and often. Bongs are hit and brews pounded, stomach contents expelled and injuries sustained; but over the course of 11 scrappy chapters virtually nothing changes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]