The Legend of Juggin Joe
by Joseph Yakel
Joseph Yakel has brought the world
The Legend of Juggin Joe, a delightfully funny tale he conjured
up from the hills of upstate New York. It's the story of young Joe
Jeckel, the most talented jug player in the entire world. Readers
learn about Joe's escapades as a child and how he comes to discover
the jug. A record company signs him, he cuts a record, and he even
plays on the Grand Ole Opry. Though Joe dearly loved playing the jug,
his other love was the preacher's daughter named Florentine. Unfortunately,
the preacher stepped between them, and Joe set off on his musical
tour. But music didn't impress the preacher, and even Joe's stint
in the Army didn't sway him, nor his meeting with President Reagan
and Soviet Premier Gorbechev and Joe's part in ending the Cold War.
No, it just finally took the preacher's own search for forgiveness
to finally bring these two lovers together.
The Legend of Juggin Joe sometimes reads like Forest Gump
meets The Dillards. It's funny. It's warm. It's full of mountainisms.
The author has drawn on his own experiences with the people of
upstate New York and his own fascination with the jug. He has written
the book in what he calls "country speak," a phonetically-written
dialect of the mountain people of the region. I found myself wanting
to give this language a southern twang but soon I realized that
this is closer to Down East than Down Home, with its more New England
flavor. It was a bit difficult to read at first and probably is
best read out loud for full effect.
For this reason, and because of the frequent draws on the "Pick
Me Up" (what usually occupied those jugs) and subtle references
to what's best left between a husband and a wife, the book is best
read by adults or older teens. Some parents may choose to read aloud
parts of the book, and other parents may decide it's right fine
for their more mature youngsters to read by themselves.
What is clear as spring water is that we sure haven't heard the
last of Juggin Joe and his misadventures. We're all going to be
waiting for the next installment, Mr. Yakel. |
The Book |
Lulu Press |
May 2005 |
Trade Paperback |
1411625889 |
Humorous
Fiction - Age Group: Some teens and adult |
More
at Publisher's site |
Excerpt |
NOTE: |
The Reviewer |
Janie Franz |
Reviewed 2006 |
NOTE: Reviewer Janie
Franz is the author of Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid!, Relaxation
Techniques for Children, Relaxation Techniques for Adults; Co-author of The
Ultimate Wedding Reception Book and The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book. Coming
Soon: The Ultimate Wedding Workbook, Get Rich on Love, and Sacred Breath
(a sound recording of relaxation meditations). |
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