American Magic

Jim Dodge, Stone Junction, 1990
Thomas Pynchon, in his introduction to this novel, talks of a story grounded on Magic (with a capital M) from a time before the internet appeared in our lives. In my view, it's the kind of mysticism which was sought by the Beats (one of them, Gary Snyder, is even thanked in the novel); a form of American Magic Realism as seen through a hashish haze, to the sound of rock & roll.

Like Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude (the epitome of Magic Realism), giant characters come and go in the life of Daniel, a boy destined to learn all the outlaw skills in America and steal a perfectly round diamond, kept by the governemnt, for mysterious organisation AMO ("I Love" in Spanish). These giant characters are sketched very quickly, but so perfectly, by Jim Dodge as to make you wish they'd stick around a bit longer - or even win novels of their own. The novel is at its best when their dialogue spits one great line after another to a bemused Daniel (and reader).

Although the story plods a little towards the end, the appearance of a Tarantinoesque killer, and the diary entries of a mad girl with an imaginary daughter, liven things up. There's so much to chew in this novel, and so much to enjoy.

P.S. Make sure to only Read Pynchon's introduction after finishing the book, unless you enjoy spoilers.