Journey to Virginland

Book Description

 

Brimming with black humor and piercing satire, at turns picaresque and epistolary, "Journey to Virginland" explores the breakneck paradigm shifts of the 21st century, navigating through the morass with the guidance of Dog, the novel's loutish yet wise antihero.

Through a devilishly iconoclastic story line, Dog parses the key cultural and religious failures that have made for a world held hostage by hyper-capitalism, consumerism, and post-9/11 realpolitik on the one hand, and an ominous resurgence of nationalism and religious extremism on the other.

Yet far from basking in a prospect of doom, Dog embarks on an impassioned quest for identity and meaning, ultimately proposing an exuberant, decidedly life-affirming vision of human transformation.

With its vibrant style, kaleidoscopic yet highly calibrated thematic diversity, and, ultimately, unfettered sense of humanity, "Journey to Virginland" establishes itself as a groundbreaking literary enterprise and a true original.

 

Book Review

 

Even though the author boasts that you need to have a college education in order to be able to read this book.  He also states that it will “destroy your religious identity”. 

First off, I do have a college education.  As well as the majority of my friends.  And being a pagan Unitarian Universalist, it is difficult to “destroy" my religious identity.  Having said that, this book felt like it was written by someone who uses big words in order to make themselves appear much smarter then they actually are. 

Yes, there were some very witty remarks regarding the state of our nation and the state of modern religion that were sprinkled throughout the book.  However, the author came off as sounding more pretentious then anything else.

It seemed more like he was showing off that he had bought himself a shiny new thesaurus instead of focusing on the heart of the book and presenting this knowledge that would turn the world on its head.  He really did a disservice to what could have been a really controversial book that opened many readers eyes.

The reason that I state that it seems that he had bought a new thesaurus is that while reading over his author page on Goodreads, I noticed many misusages of various words.  Here is a perfect example, “Rather than honestly admitting their own limitations, such readers often take their vengeance on the author himself by doing their outmost to discredit him.”  The author was attempting to use the word utmost and of course was unable to do so correctly.  So of course this calls into questions his ability to completely comprehend the English language as he has attempted to do with many of the readers and reviewers who have spoke out against this book.

He thoroughly bashes any reviewers who dare to speak out against his “Holy Grail” of books so I am expecting a backlash from him as well.  He feels that the reading level must be much too advanced for them to be able to comprehend.  However, he does not personally know these reviewers.  He does not know the extent of their intellect.  All he knows is that they did not like his book.  Not only have I read this book, but I asked a friend of mine who has a PhD to read it.  He agrees with my views on the book as well. 

In conjunction with the Wakela’s World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.