Random Lingering in Isla Vista

Rating:
Summary: A Blast From the Past
Review:
Author J. Mike Knox begins his foray into the world of Fine Literature with a joyously self-conscious romp seen through the moldy-sock and runny-nosed point of view of a typical American college student.

Vast quantities of alcohol, tiny blue pills, and inhuman pizzas are a sensual background setting for the book's young hero, appropriately named: Mike. Every hero has a loyal companion, and Mike is accompanied throughout the book by his fine-feathered friend, Charlie. (No, Charlie is not a parakeet or an angel, although he does have feathers.)

Although technically a business major, Mike is sensitive and expressive, driven by a deep desire to become a poet. The reality, however, is that he is a seventh-year undergrad, and the only driving he does is in the stolen car of a roommate, the dreams of that poet having settled into an ash that is occassionally rolled in a paper and smoked.

"Random Lingering" is written with all the style, cleverness and utterly filthy humor of Hunter S. Thompson. But the comparison ends there. Author J. Mike Knox's work never degenerates into a dead and fried tangle of boredom. Knox is not a bored author.

His Mike is both keenly and painfully aware of not only his own life's troubles but that of the two worlds that encircle him. The first that of an immediate world of his personal being that he can physically touch, and the second, which is only attainable through the glorious and paranoid nightmare of modern media.

Mike has control over neither. He has the caring for both worlds, but the inability to do anything to help. Their agonies feed his own often morbid depressions. So in staying true to the emotionally self-medicating child of the 1980's, Mike has fun. He parties, he tells joke, he makes up funny stories, he drinks and drugs and makes up more funny stories and tells more jokes. He covers himself with hysterical comedy until he cracks like a walnut.

And there is the touch of the tragic poet. Yet Mike, of course, can't see this.

Because a true author shares, Knox makes certain his readers don't laugh too long, either. He is a deliciously manipulative writer. Just as the giggles bring the reader close to the point of tears, Knox sticks a boot right in the ear, sharp with an acetic social commentary. Running from a fast sentence or two of sharp teeth to three pages or more of out-right chewing, J. Mike Knox shows himself to be a true mold-breaker of his decade, the non-conformist.

"Random Lingering In Isla Vista" is delightful and sad, sarcastic and kind. It brags with the Universal Knowledge of the young, and then admits it's innocence. Hunter S. Thompson has been replaced. Go bye-bye, old friend. Hello, J. Mike Knox.



Rating:
Summary: Read it now, detox later
Review: A frightening cross between Mary Chase and Hunter Thompson, ..."Isla Vista" details a drug soaked Halloween in a supposed college town. For this reader, Mr. Knox accomplished a rare feat: he made me laugh out loud. Then again, this may be because of the contact high generated by the all too real descriptions of various mind- altering substances. The book is funny, the author skilled, and the subject terrifying to anyone over 40. A great read and a fun ride, even if a little close to the shoulder of madness. I loved it.

Rating:
Summary: Be the Ball
Review: Actually, regarding review #10, I thought the writing style was more a montage of Steve Hartmann and Jamie Bishop. Good stuff. The parties on DP are missed.

Rating:
Summary: This book is evil
Review: I am very mad that anyone would publish this book! As a mother of two wonderful chocolate labs I fear for their safety. The boy down the block was reading this book and I snatched it from his greedy little hands and told him to repent for being a devil worshiper. This author should burn in hell and he is the subject of next weeks meeting at the Calvary church here in town where we discuss books that should be burned and banned. The concept was thought up by yours truly and I have formed a watchdog group to rid the internet of books like these that would harm our children. The only reason I'm giving the author 5 stars is to hopefully boost his self-esteem and make him a more Godly person.

Rating:
Summary: Talk about bad craziness
Review: I loved this book! Too funny for words. Can we hope for a sequel?

Rating:
Summary: This book is evil
Review: I myself tried to linger in IV but I was able to pull myself from the vortex. This book was funny in its madness. It reminded me of my RANDOM placement there and the irony of why I had to pull myself out of the craziness of DP parties! It was fun to look back and Mike's descriptions were right on. I am looking forward to the sequel maybe you could call it "Tropicana Gardens -- A Place Called Home".

Rating:
Summary: Where is the Sequel?
Review: Is this really how life in Isla Vista was? If so, I have lived a sheltered life. It was a vicarious ride through Isla Vista's outrageous, drug-infested party scene. I kept turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. Did Mike Knox ever graduate? Is he off the drugs? How's his imaginary friend Charlie doing? The book definitely draws you into Mike's personal life and you become friends with the character...Looking forward to a sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Friggin funny
Review: This book made me laugh and having lived in Isla Vista on Trigo and other streets it really brought back memories of wierd and random things. The author hits the nail on the head with this one. I didn't mind the jumble of words because if you're all doped up your mind isn't always working at full throttle.
If you keep seeing a giant chicken then you've got problems.
This book is the college life in IV.

Rating:
Summary: Great Memory For An Author Notorious For Blackouts!!!
Review: Yes it is true
I have been to rowdy college parties!!!!
It is true this is very Hunter Thompsonesque
Fear and Loathing on the Central Coast.
The writing style is kinda hard to comprehend at first
But, you get used to it
I liked the part how every house in IV has a name
The Boathouse
The Bob Marley House
The JunkYard
I had forgotten all about that...
I wonder how Mr. Knox's liver is doing these days?
Seems like he liked them pills
I 2 wish it had more on IV
Maybe for his sequel...

This book should be a must read for UCSB incoming freshman
This book should be on every former Isla Vistan's bookshelf
Even if it's just to show your friends someone actually wrote a book about living in Isla Vista!!
I hope this is the 1st of many from J.M. Knox...