Rating: 
Summary: Black, black comedy
Review: ...This is brilliant and dark but also monstrously funny. A comedy in the way that Lolita and Under the Volcano are comedies. The self-destructive hero is also wise and self-aware; he articulates the politically incorrect thoughts most of us sanitize for public consumption. There's a wonderful scene in which Jernigan and his teenage son's suicidal friend watch It's a Wonderful Life that plays up the darker tones in Capra's classic. Don't read this if you're looking for something "uplifting." If you want an original, self-mocking voice that's rendered without one false note, don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: f*&k you, jernigan.
Review: allright, here's something worth reading. think your life [stinks]? do ya? quit flattering yourself and take a look at just how bad it could be. made me laugh.... god bless you, mr. jernigan.
Rating:
Summary: unbeatable
Review: Just finished Jernigan and was nothing short of blown away. A modern day Catcher in the Rye, Peter Jernigan tells us his twisted tale from the same padded room where Holden told his. Gates has crafted an important work, which is better than his most recent Preston Falls, because we actually care for the people in this book, despite their chronic alcoholism, atrocious parenting, and undeniable taste for bunny meat. The publisher should be ashamed that this book is out of print!
Rating:
Summary: No kidding; this book changed my life.
Review: This book is a true killer. Like a suburban "Heart of Darkness," it suggests what evil lurks in the modern American male... and he continues to get away with it all...Peter Jernigan is a bizarre and somehow totally believable mix of charismatic intellectual and emotional bully. It's probably impossible to read Peter's story and then NOT make attempts to change your own evil ways. In the tradition of "Hunger" by Knut Hamsun, and the better works of John Fante, "Jernigan" has got to be one of the most brutally-honest and lovingly-crafted books one can read. Jernigan is a desperate character, who, sadly, all too many of us can relate to. Gates has a new book out, "Preston Falls," which, while remarkably similar to "Jernigan," is written with the same kind of astonishing clarity. In my opinion, it doesn't get any better than this book.
Rating: 
Summary: When Life gets Rough, read this book
Review: This book is the darkest painting of suburbia I've read in awhile. If your life stinks, replace it with Jernigan's. Here's what you get----alcoholism, self-abuse, teenage son on drugs, shacking with mother of teenage son's girlfriend, death of wife, death of rabbits for food, loss of job, plus did I mention drinking large quanities of gin. Now why does this character continue to shot himself in the foot (or in his case hand)? Seems like he just doesn't give two hoots. What makes the book work though, is Jernigan's wisecracking nature, basically condescending everything, as his life drops away by his own powers. This is brought on by the tight, descriptive naratives by David Gates, Jernigan's creator. Not that Jernigan is alone in his life of horror. There's a cast of characters that are barely functioning. Of course, Jernigan cannot stand them. He's going to do things his way and it's a way so unimaginable yet possible, it leaves you riveted.
Rating:
Summary: When Life gets Rough, read this book
Review: This book is the darkest painting of suburbia I've read in awhile. If your life stinks, replace it with Jernigan's. Here's what you get----alcoholism, self-abuse, teenage son on drugs, shacking with mother of teenage son's girlfriend, death of wife, death of rabbits for food, loss of job, plus did I mention drinking large quanities of gin. Now why does this character continue to shot himself in the foot (or in his case hand)? Seems like he just doesn't give two hoots. What makes the book work though, is Jernigan's wisecracking nature, basically condescending everything, as his life drops away by his own powers. This is brought on by the tight, descriptive naratives by David Gates, Jernigan's creator. Not that Jernigan is alone in his life of horror. There's a cast of characters that are barely functioning. Of course, Jernigan cannot stand them. He's going to do things his way and it's a way so unimaginable yet possible, it leaves you riveted.
Rating:
Summary: Disinterred Rabbit
Review: This is a novel charting middle-age disintegration with a vengeance. It's very well written - at times both darkly funny and disturbing. Widower Peter Jernigan is introduced by his son to his son's girlfriend's mother (Martha). A relationship starts between Jernigan and Martha, but becomes more difficult to sustain as they get know know more about each other, and both their pasts emerge. Thus it is an examination of the problems people have both in coping with their own and other people's histories: people often tend to look upon others as being the answer to their problems, potential perfect people, when in fact no such angels exist. Jernigan descends into alcoholism, accentuating the problems he has coping with his teenage son. Middle-age burn-out and parental angst combine to plague his life. All good stuff, but the novel felt very similar to John Updike's "Rabbit" books. It's certainly out of the same stable.So although I enjoyed this novel, less than five stars as I felt it was somewhat derivative.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is such a wonderful, wonderful book. It's a perfect mixtures of dark humor and heartbreak. You come to care so much for Peter Jernigan that it hurts you when he's being self-destructive. David Gates is a literary genius!
Rating:
Summary: A life spiralling downward
Review: This novel is a great exercise in language. Its bleak, unsparing outlook is similar to that of the great Richard Yates. Not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: A life spiralling downward
Review: This novel is a great exercise in language. Its bleak, unsparing outlook is similar to that of the great Richard Yates. Not to be missed.
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