The Anomalies

Rating:
Summary: Carver and O'Connor - in a blender - with special sauce
Review: I mention Carver and O'Connor because they are the only writers I can draw any kind of parallel to when I read the way Joey Goebel crafts characters and their thoughts so masterfully, so completely -- and yet allows his dramatis personae to serve, in some capacity, as allegorical entities. Like O'Connor, this young writer also has the knack for being humorous and tragic at the same time, and he puts words together with the same deft skill.

However, it is unfair to compare Joey Goebel to any writer, because he brings something new and different to the table. I've heard punk rock, but I don't know that, before The Anomoalies, I had ever read punk rock. Punk Rock with literary gravitas. Joey is railing against the closed minded, rural western Kentucky environment, against pre-judgement in general, and against the clicques and cretins who laugh at people for being different.

Sometimes that difference is a sword that can cut the ties that bind an individual to the mundane existence we all muddle through. I think Joey Goebel has done that. I believe he soars with this novel, in which the overriding message is to chase the dream.

I think readers will agree -- it is good that Mr. Goebel chased his, and that wise publisher gave him a chance.

Rating:
Summary: Punk Rock Literary Joy!
Review: This book is fantastic. Joey Goebel may have just created a new type of literary genre-Punk Rock Literary. The characters in this novel are so bizarre you might pass on the novel at the description, but I beg you to go forth and read!

The story involves the most insane group of rock band members one could ever conceive (a party maniac who happens to be a senior citizen and a nymphomiac? A Middle Eastern fem? An eight year old nihilist?). C'mon - just the characters alone are worth the read.

I found the novel easy to read and enjoyed every moment. This is great writing from an up and coming author. For those of you who thought Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club was a book that couldn't be matched, read The Anomalies! Buy this baby!

Rating:
Summary: Rock might still save the world
Review: Webster's defines an anomaly as "deviation from the common rule," and so "The Anomalies" becomes a multifaceted title. The entire, physical book lives up to its title before the reader can crack the cover, considering the bewildered, suspicious, somewhat scared young man on the cover is the author.
The story is about five small-town misfits who have the guts to attempt forging some path out, or at least agitate the status quo with their music long enough, or big enough,to be remembered. Within the group young are old, old are young and foreign are indeginous.
Continuing the anomalous flavor, Goebel tells the story from the first person POV of each character, including incidental characters, and, yes, it works. Combined with memorable one-liners, Goebel builds the action to an absurdly satisfying end (the rejection letter from God, towards the end, is not to be missed).