Stone Junction

Thomas Pynchon calls Stone Junction "a celebration of everything that matters." Forgetting for a moment that a blurb from Pynchon is akin to the Pope's personal blessing for many people, it's a fine summation of Stone Junction's many, many endearing qualities. Jim Dodge has penned a rollicking joyride of a story down the backroads and dark alleys of a mythical American landscape that cannot possibly exist, yet should. I'm not a conspiracy nut by any means, but the idea of a semi-legendary affiliation of outlaws and magicians that subtly weaves itself through history is so tempting, it's no wonder one edition begins with a warning: "This book is a work of fiction. FICTION. Believe otherwise at your own peril."

Read the rest of the review show more here. show less

This ended up being one of the wildest, weirdest books I have ever read. For the most part, that is a good thing, but sometimes it gets a little tedious (tries too hard to be weird?) and repetitive. Still, the characters are great, the book steeped in a very Bond-esque, creative, often hilarious, underground counter-culture (all against capitalism and government kinda thing - with a wide array of interesting individuals with even more interesting talents, skills and mindsets) called the AMO (Allliance of Magicians and Outlaws). The AMO takes our progatonist, Daniel Pearse, under its wing both as a child with his mother; and then training begins in earnest when he is 14 and his mother is killed in a heist (of governmental plutonium) gone show more awry. Daniel is "developed" by various "teachers" in the AMO, for a final, very dangerous diamond heist. His teachers and his learning are what really made this book shine. Varying degrees of fringe beliefs, many drugs, much sex, road-tripping and a LOT of fun ... from a master poker player, an elusive alchemist, a master of disguises and finally, the head magician teaches Daniel his last fateful skills. The interesting thing is how all the outlaws use their very useful talents with Daniel and out in the "real world."

On some level, this book really makes you think about the structure of government, living on the fringes and the amazing talents some people have. If that all could be pooled and organized, as it is in the AMO, it could be rather powerful. Also, we learn about some REALLY interesting topics. I found the alchemist, the mountain Buddha (of sorts), the poker theory and the disguise training absolutely fascinating. There is plenty of lore, literature, culture and fable that goes into Daniel's learning. Either the author is a genius in many subjects or he spent a good deal of time researching the topics of learning.

My biggest complaint is the plot itself is a bit weak and the end marred by some gratuitous violence.

Unlike some of the other books on the 1001 list, I can see why this one was chosen. It is unique, stretches the mind quite a bit and is just a weirdly invigorating reading experience. I laughed quite a bit as some of the dialogue is hysterical. I really wonder how this was not more popular and more widely spread. I think a lot of young adults would really enjoy this one.

But as a whole, it's a tad messy, it is almost like a bunch of short stories really. Overall, I recommend this for a reader who likes their literature off-the-beaten path, with a heavy dose of counter-culture and the metaphysical. show less

Annalee Faro Pearse and her teenage son Daniel Pearse are members of a American counter culture organization, the Alliance of Magicians and Outlaws which is actively involved in recruiting and training individuals with particular powers and/or abilities. Supported by dues from members, AMOs right wrongs through subtle assistance or outright assassinations which run the gamut from poison to thought implants. Annalee dies in a bomb plot gone wrong, leaving Daniel to be invited to apprentice with AMO. The book was a rush, utterly engaging until the last fifty pages, when the plot line was derailed for the sake of a love interest for Daniel, a vanishing act, and an ending that fell flat.

Daniel Pearse's journey from childhood to adulthood amid magic, mayhem and mysticism all guided by the Alliance of Magicians and Outlaws. In a series of apprenticeships young Daniel learns meditation, safe cracking, poker and the art of becoming invisible. This description is entirely inadequate -- this is one of those books in regard to which the reader never knows what will happen next.

Loved the first half but struggled with the second half. I went from engaged to bored and couldn't wait to finish it and move on.

very entertaining read. reminiscent of tom robbins; although if you don't like tom robbins i would say this book reads like him without the excesses of language pyrotechnics.
the narrative is fast and fun. the introduction to the book was written by thomas pynchon which screams: pay attention to me!
alchemy, magic, drugs and rockandroll.

STONE JUNCTION by Jim Dodge is a wonderful, warm-hearted, gleefully subversive epic of counterculture, chaos and magic. Every few years I find I miss the story and the people in it and I have to reread it again. I won't say more: I just urge you to discover it for yourself.