Piecemeal June by Jordan Krall Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Piecemeal June
Book Review: Good fun that is mildly hampered
Summary: 3 Stars
This is one of those books which makes me feel a bit iffy about quantifiable rating systems, as I feel this book really gets something more like a 3.7. While Jordan Krall's Piecemeal June is marred by a few problems, it is still an enjoyable read.
This is definitely a story that is built on characters, and the first character to gain reader sympathy is Mithra, Kevin's cat. In a way, it feels like the story should have had more focus on Mithra for the way that he is a very active chara...more This is one of those books which makes me feel a bit iffy about quantifiable rating systems, as I feel this book really gets something more like a 3.7. While Jordan Krall's Piecemeal June is marred by a few problems, it is still an enjoyable read.
This is definitely a story that is built on characters, and the first character to gain reader sympathy is Mithra, Kevin's cat. In a way, it feels like the story should have had more focus on Mithra for the way that he is a very active character and in many cases more of an active character than Kevin, considering how he was the one who brought the pieces of the titular June doll in addition to the tarot cards peppered throughout the story. Kevin himself is, however, a largely-relatable person. His mental freudian slips which happen every so often have brought some smiles to my face while reading, and his relationship with June did feel pretty damn genuine even when considering the change in dynamic from being a project to being a walking, talking entity without the whole situation coming off as astoundingly creepy. The other characters involved help mold the atmosphere through the ways they are involved in the porn business or in sickly divine affairs, and how the most prominent characters among each group want to take June away.
As said before, however, there are some issues. The prologue seemed a bit out of place, apparently being about Simon, God of Whores making a quick harvest from some guy that stumbled out of a bar. The reason why this seems out of place is that Simon is built up at this early point to be an unforgiving badass, which doesn't seem to be quite consistent with his "Oh, okay," attitude at the very end (for what, I'm not at liberty to say). The tarot cards were also felt a little unnecessary as there didn't seem to be any kind of payoff for them at the end. They can be interpreted as Mithra giving small bursts of foreshadowing, but at the same time it felt like they should have gotten some kind of finish by the story's end. The last thing I'm going to complain about is the editorial slip-ups, if only because they really felt at odds with the otherwise smoothly-flowing prose.
All in all, a great concept with some slips in execution. It is by no means a bad book, however, so when looking for a book that manages to do human/sex-doll romance well, look towards Krall's Piecemeal June.
Book Review: Great read, VERY hard to put down
Summary: 5 Stars
(Ash Lomen)
A love story with perverse trans-dimensional crabs, sleazy pornographers, and a living sex doll...
Now that's what I call romance!
Great read. VERY hard to put down and highly original.
Book Review: Interestingly Vile
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is full of interesting, eccentric characters. Jordan tells a good story, and makes good use of the disgusting elements. There are scenes in my mind that I won't soon forget. And there are several unexpected, highly bizarre moments and plot twists. An entertaining, shorter read, perfect for an afternoon reading.Book Review: Krall Breaks Out Strong!
Summary: 4 Stars
Jordan Krall's first bizarro release through Eraserhead Press, Piecemeal June, is a strong first novel. It is the story of a guy named Kevin who lives above the town's one and only porn shop with his cat, Mithra. Said cat has a habit of bringing various things to Kevin, typically tarot cards, but one day he brings Kevin an ankle... and it's sweating! In the following days Mithra brings Kevin more body parts, and eventually Kevin has the complete makings of a full female. When he puts the female together, to his surprise, she comes to life and tells him her name is June. However, little does Kevin know, but Max Alexander, evil pornographer, and his three crab-human assassins are looking for June and will stop at nothing to get her back. Based on the blurb of the back of this book, I went into Piecemeal June thinking it might be heavy in regards to sex, but after reading it realized there honestly wasn't much to do with sex in the book at all. The book is actually more focused on a deeper love story between the characters in the book as you will see as you read it. Despite this being a "love story", however, Piecemeal June also is quite grotesque in parts. There is one character called Simon, the God of Whores, who is pretty darn foul! The scenes describing him and the things he does may make some readers retch a bit. For those accustomed to reading gross-out kinds of scenes, these parts shouldn't phase them one bit, but to others... I'm just giving fair warning that you might not want to eat right before reading this. All in all, this is a great first novel and I'm looking forward to reading the other works by Krall. Highly Recommended!
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations
Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian dot com
Book Review: Like Alien Pornography
Summary: 4 Stars
There's something drippy, oozy, and wet about this novella.
A few things you should know right off the bat.
1. It's a quick read. I read like a snail. I'm not a fast reader by any stretch. I killed this in two sittings. I could have easily done it in one.
2. It can be graphic and explicate at times. Nothing crazy, but no, not tame either. Much of the plot even revolves around pornography, and the adult porn industry.
Now for some good things. (What, porn ain't good?)
I didn't think I'd like it at all. I don't like violence, horror, or anything too graphic.
It touched on these elements, but never really went there.
Also, it was brisk, and I liked how 'to the point' it was. I'm a big fan of flash fiction, so trust me when I tell you, its page count was a blessing to me.
There are other reviews that can tell you exactly who Mr. Krall's talents ape. It struck me as fairly unique, but I must tell you, I'm VERY particular with my fiction. The closest thing it resembled to me is Carlton Mellick III.
I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I've read some Bizarro that others loved, but I just couldn't get into. I liked this.