Little John

Rating:
Summary: Littlejohn Review 4/14/98
Review: Howard Owen's Littlejohn is a novel written from three contrasting perspectives. Each narrative voice represents a different generation of the McCain family tree. The foremost narrative voice is that of Littlejohn McCain, a lifelong farmer from North Carolina. The youngest perspective is that of Justin, Littlejohn's grandson, and the third is that of Justin's mother, Georgia. Howard Owen's utilization of a varying narrative voice adds to the developement of characters, and allows the reader to form a three-dimensional understanding of the McCain family. The novel brings farming, the teenage experience, and family death all to one stage. As a sixteen year-old male, I found the development of Justin's character to be very accurate. Howard Owen's portrayal of the modern teen reveals the author's extreme adaptability in his work.

Rating:
Summary: Great for all ages
Review: I am a sophmore at St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island. In my English class we are reading "Littlejohn." It is a story set in North Carolina during the early to mid seventies. Littlejohn is an eighty- two year old man who is recalling his life as a father, soldier, teenager and murderer. Owen uses the language of an eighty- two year old man who did not learn to read and write until he was forty-two. Owen also includes Littlejohn's grandson, Justin and his daughter, Georgia. Justin is a teenager who is readily identified as a teenager from his use of language. He uses the word "like" and curse words often. "We appeal to the offical, he's like looking somewhere else." The novel is told through the eyes of Justin, Georgia and Littlejohn. There are three different age groups that this books appeals to; anyone can identify with it. It is a wonderful, easy to read book. Once I picked it up I could not put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Great for all ages
Review: I am a sophmore at St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island. In my English class we are reading "Littlejohn." It is set in North Carolina around the early to mid seventies. An eighty-two year old man, Littlejohn, recalls his life as a father, teenager, soldier and murderer. Each chapter has a different narrative voice. It switches from Littlejohn to Justin (his teenage grandson) and to Georgia (his daughter). It is helpful to have three narrative voices but sometimes I found myself concentrating too much on who was talking instread of what was being said. Justin is readily identified as a teenager because of his language. He uses the word "like" and curse words often. "We appeal to the offical, he's like looking somwhere else." Littlejohn uses the language that an eighty- two year old man, who did not learn to read and write until he was forty-two, would use. Anyone who reads this book can relate to one of the characters. It was easy to associate myself with Justin because I am a typical teenager. "Littlejohn" is a great book that you cannot put down.

Rating:
Summary: Cannot put it down
Review: I am a student at St. George's School, Newport, Rhode Island. I have read "Littlejohn" for my English class. I am impressed with "Littlejohn" every much, even though when I started to read, I was confused with voices of narrators. I love two strategies of the author. The first is switching of narrative voices; you will find that there are three narrative voices--Littlejohn, Georgia (his daughter), and Justin (his grandson). This strategy of Howard Owen accomplishes to make the reader understand the story and makes this book interesting. Each voice of narrators shows his character as well as the language that used in different generation. We can understand the story better from many characters' point of views. The another strategy is that telling story is not in order. This strategy brings me to concentrate on the story. If you do not pay attention to this book, you will find that you get lost. I found that I concentrated while I was reading and this makes me enjoy reading "Littlejohn." besides the appealing story of Littlejohn. After I read the second chapter, I could not put it down. If you read "Littlejohn," you will find that it is one of the most interesting book.

Rating:
Summary: An overwhelming read that will touch your soul.
Review: I was a bit apprehensive when someone first told me about this book. Normally, I read action and adventure thrillers but I was convinced to read this book. By the time I finished the book, I was overwhelmed at the life that Littlejohn lived. This book is a fascinating read for anyone who wishes they could take something back that they did wrong in their lives. I know I wish I could take certain things back but after you read this novel, you will have a new perspective on your mistakes. Definitley a must read.

Rating:
Summary: A view of a man's life through three sets of eyes.
Review: Littlejohn I am currently a sophomore in high school, and I read Littlejohn for my English class. Littlejohn is the life story of the main character, Littlejohn. The story has several favorable qualities. One is that the book is narrated by three different people. The three narrators are Littlejohn, his daughter Georgia, and his grandson Justin. This narration change works especially well in this book because it shows an insight into the guilt that consumes Littlejohn's life through his own narration. Also, the absence of this guilt in the words of the other narrators shows how well he hides that guilt. Another quality of this book is that it instills the same uneasiness about the ethics of the main character that he has for himself. For example, just as the reader questions racist upbringing, Littlejohn thinks about his racist actions in the past. And the reader struggles along with Littlejohn to find a moral solution to his situation at the end of the book, and finding none, both the reader and Littlejohn begin to see his whole life as tainted.. A third quality of this book is its ending. I don't want to ruin it for anybody who hasn't read it yet, but it is the most fitting and appropriate ending to a book I have read in some time. Because of the situation, Littlejohn almost chooses his ending for the book, and he doesn't want a tragic ending, as he says in this quote,"...Georgia and Jeff took me to see a play that a college was putting on. It was a terrible sad one, with everybody just tore apart at the end... I wondered why anybody would want to watch something that made you feel that bad". My only serious criticism of this book are that most of the plot is set in the past, making it seem pressing, and important.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most entertaining books I've ever read
Review: Littlejohn is a farmer in North Carolina who is reviewinghis life as he is lying on his deathbed. I felt like I wassitting there with him as he was telling me his story. I opened the book randomly and started reading and I couldn't put put it down. I finished it and thenwent back and read it again from start to finish. I could hear Littlejohn's voice as I was reading - a little bit of drawl, the pauses and hesitations and the emotions as he remembers the painful moments of his life. When the end finally comes I felt like I had lost a good friend and wise man.

Rating:
Summary: A moving look into a life that we have not seen.
Review: Lttlejohn is a man with a past. He feels a guilt he carries with him all his life. Howard Owen gets into this man and gives him to the reader as a man you would love to know, be with, talk to and love. The insight into how he has to live with his memory of shooting and killing his brother, his unknowing marrage to his brother's child and the shame of going through most of his life not able to read and write. Intertwined are reflections from his daughter about her life and her life with her father and her love for him. We meet his 15 year old grandson and are treated to the thoughts and reactions of his short time with him and with the problems he has with his own life. Grandpa teaches him in a kind understanding way. This book has had a stong impact on my life and how I now look at older people and wonder about stories they could tell. Howard owen has done us all a great service by giving us Littlejohn.

Rating:
Summary: An overwhelming read that will touch your soul.
Review: Owen writes an interesting story told from several views, about an elderly man reflecting on the past and his indiscretions. The tale is rewarding and emotional...an excellent book!

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended !
Review: Owen writes an interesting story told from several views, about an elderly man reflecting on the past and his indiscretions. The tale is rewarding and emotional...an excellent book!