About book Taubenjagd: Jimmy Veeders Fiasko (2010)
“There is something about the desert that pisses everything off. It could be the heat. Or the barren landscape. Or the stark desolation. It doesn’t really matter the why. The fact is the desert brings out the desperate worst in a thing. In an environment where nothing is meant to survive, life seethes.”Quite the opening, to a solid, debut novel, that defies conventional genres. Is it a crime novel, a coming of age story, a comedy, hick lit, or possibly all of the above? The book’s cover calls it a fiasco. Perhaps that’s the best description. Because what starts off as a fairly simple but odd request, by a dying father, quickly leads to a whole mess of trouble.Our story takes place in the Imperial Valley, a poverty stricken, border region of California, Arizona, and Mexico.Jimmy Veeder wants out. For the past 12 years he’s succeeded. Traveling from town to town, taking any dead end job, in order to see more of the world, than what the Valley has to offer. But now he’s been called home with news of his father’s illness. While he’s prepared to spend the final days, with his dad, joking and reminiscing, his old man has other plans. The big ask: find a Mexican prostitute named Yolanda, and bring her back to him.Jimmy’s not one to argue with a dying man’s last request, so he enlists the help of his buddy Bobby, and a former neighbor, turned Mexican gangster Tomás. Their quest to find Yolanda leads them across the border into Mexico. Comedic mishaps and brutal violence ensue.This search unravels other mysteries. And what Jimmy learns of his father, calls into question where he truly belongs, and what kind of man he wants to be. The story’s filled with many memorable, if off-color, lines such as this conversation Jimmy has with his dad's friend. Who explains that back in his day, “going to a Mexican hooker wasn't considered cheating. You wouldn't tell your wife, of course, but you never felt guilty neither. Used to joke, call it 'a side of beans.' You know, 'Let’s go down to Mexicali, grab a few beers and a side of beans.'”While there really are no major plot twists, and most mysteries are easily solved, the story is still pretty enjoyable, and most of the characters are well drawn. Turns out I really had nothing to worry about. It looks as if Johnny Shaw will get this 4 star rating the old fashion way, he’ll earn it! When do you know if you are going to love a book? I was pretty sure I would love "Dove Season" by Johnny Shaw after reading his Anthony nominated "Big Maria." I loved it, so was thrilled there was a backlist, even if there was only one.It only took a couple of pages to fall in love with "Dove Season" and Jimmy Veeder's fiasco. It is irreverently funny at times, poignant briefly, grab onto your seat suspenseful and so graphic you picture yourself in Southern California. Its one of those books where you say "damn, its over" at the end.Jimmy Veeder is your average guy with a college degree and very little motivation. Yet he becomes surprisingly responsible when he learns his father is dying from cancer. His "fiasco" ensues as he returns to the Imperial Valley to be with his dad. His father has a rather unusual request, which leads Jimmy and best friend Bobby into all kinds of fun (read trouble). This begins a series of events that continue the "fun" (more trouble) for Jimmy and his HS buddies. Uproariously funny, yet sometimes painful, these adventures lead Jimmy to reconnect with his past. He found the people he left were still there, and willing to step up for him. He also found a little motivation, but you have to read the book to find out about that..
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Great descriptions and characters. It kept me laughing most of the book in spite of some sad parts.
—leon
Absolutely great. Too bad there aren´t yet other books from this author.
—ChungS
Very good book. Much more than your typical noir. Highly recommended.
—Danson
