Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #79623 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Customer Reviews

you must read this book
That this book contains an introduction by one of the most talented, though frustatingly silent, writers of the last century, Thomas Pynchon, should be reason enough for purchase. If, thus far, it hasn't then i can only say that Dodge is every bit as good, but thankfully not as impenetrably dense as Pynchon can at first appear.
There were even rumours for a while that Dodge is Pynchon but this is untrue.
The story is wild, hilarious, incredibly fast and full of weird and wonderful characters, violence, the occult and the myths and legends of America. To attempt explanation of the plot would do the book a disservice - it must be read so it surprises and shocks you as any proper "tale" should.
Jim Dodge is the author of three novels and a collection of poetry: all published by Rebel Inc, all essential.

A superb achievement - Highly recommended
A marvelous book, one I discovered almost by accident. Dodge employs incredible breadth and scope to this very funny and very sad novel.
The spiritual and cultural deprivation of TV-centric, suburban post-war America are tangibly absent from this book. Instead, Dodge celebrates an America of outlaws: gambling, casual sex, recreational drugs, political subversion, and magic. The alternative approaches to life used by Stone Junction's characters make America are far more dynamic and thrilling place.
Full of wit, wisdom, and a bizarre and unforgettable cast of intelligent lunatics, this is one of the most enjoyable novels I've read in a long time.

May help clean your third eye...
Reminded me of Wilson's Illuminatus, or Pynchon's Crying Of Lot 49, in some ways. A mad ramble through wild characters and locations, strange societies, stranger drugs, a bit of martial arts, burglary (but not your average type), poker games, torture, and strange artifacts...oh, and the rest.
This was my first encounter with the author, and the book was picked at random - last minute choice, but I'll be searching out more of their work.
A strange read, densly packed with odd and inspiring encounters, and well worth a look...but more so if you feel your reading habits need a kick into another gear, and are sick of the usual sort of thriller/romance...In which case this should be mandatory.